Are there any mild tempered tangs?

[Rich123]

I'm looking to add a tang for my 125g (standard 6' long) that i'm setting up. From what i've heard most can be a little on the mean side and require larger tanks. I would love to add a Sailfin tang but dont know its disposition. The other fish that would be in there are:

A pair of Bangaii Cardinal fish
one False Perula Clown fish
one Bicolored blenny
one Coral Beauty Angel
small school of green chromis
and more than likely one helmet cowfish

Would a Sailfin do well in this setup with these tank mates?

 

[luntiz]

You should be able to keep any of the zebrasoma tangs as long as they are the lone tang. It could become risky business as you start to add more tangs, so if you decide you want more than one, get tangs that are of different shape and size.

I also believe the convict tang is a mild tempered tang.

 

[Amazon4]

A sailfin gets too large. They get to a solid 12"+ and need plenty of room. (picture a dinner plate in your tank) I wouldn't even put one in my 180 because it would outgrow it.

Look in to kole or tomini tangs. They tend to be less aggressive IME, don't get too big, and will do OK in a 6' tank.

 

[Rich123]

Ouch, didnt know they hit 12 inchs. Does any other tang sport the "sailfin" look, where the fins fan out like that, and remain small enough for a 125?

 

[luntiz]

Not quite as much as a sailfin, but Yellows, Purples and Scopas do.

 

[Rich123]

Thanks for the info. I can see I need alot more research for which tang will work.

 

[jubjub]

yellows are nice they really pop in the tank if your looking for that kind of effect

i personally like purples......imo

 

[eskymick]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13253314#post13253314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amazon4
A sailfin gets too large. They get to a solid 12"+ and need plenty of room. (picture a dinner plate in your tank) I wouldn't even put one in my 180 because it would outgrow it.

Look in to kole or tomini tangs. They tend to be less aggressive IME, don't get too big, and will do OK in a 6' tank.

In all my years, I've never seen a 12" sailfin tang in a captive reef (other than a public aquarium). Just once, I'd like to see even a picture of a such a 12" monster.

 

[ledford1]

IME, mimic tangs are easy going

 

[flashyleopard]

powder brown (A.japonicus) and the bristle tooth tangs are usually easy going and small enough to be content in a 125.

 

[Mariner]

I'm considering getting a sailfin for my 135g, although that's the minimum tank size generally suggested by "experts". I've never seen one over 12" in an aquarium either, but everything I've read indicates that they do get quite large. They are supposed to have a peaceful disposition and be a little more hardy than most tangs.
Among tangs that I've actually had experience with, I'd say the Pacific Blue (Hippo, Regal) is the most peaceful. Yellow Tangs are usually ok, but can really harass newcomers.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[s ruppa]

kole tangs are very peaceful. very active grazers also. as long as the tang you select is the only one you can pretty much pick any of the smaller ones. powder blue, yellow, purple,tomini etc.

steve

 

[thor32766]

I would recommend a kole. Great fish great personality and underappreciated for their looks.
As for people saying that sailfins don't reach 12 inches in the home aquarium. Here is a couple pics
10+inch sailfin, was about 4 inches when I first got her

For the finale, 12 inches and counting Red Sea sailfin also got her when she was about 5 inches

 

[luntiz]

Wow...how big is your tank?

 

[thor32766]

450 gallons

 

[Mariner]

Thor,
Thanks for the beautiful pics! They do indeed get large!
What size tanks are these fish in?
Also, with your experience, what are the chances of keeping one happy in a 135g (5ft long, 30" deep)?
thanks,
Mariner

 

[phk36]

nice size tank/ tang

 

[luntiz]

How long did you think it took to get from 4-5'' to that monster size?

 

[Sk8r]

The one to watch is the cowfish: 'If severely stressed, this species can exude deadly toxin, ostracitoxin, an ichthyotoxic, hemolytic, heat-stable, non-dialyzable, non-protein poison in the mucous secretions of their skin. It is apparently unique among known fish poisons; it is toxic to boxfish and resembles red tide and sea cucumber toxins in general properties." Wikipedia. Ichthyotoxic means toxic to fishes.

Re the tang, I've found, for instance, the purple tang, reputed for temper, to be a perfect gentleman in a tank populated by cigar-shaped fishes. He can't hit them, they don't look as if they'd hit him, so he's cool: blennies and gobies, no problem with the zebrasomas.

 

[luntiz]

What does "Re" mean btw?