Black Tang addition...????

[mrp2g]

Please, some advice would be very much welcomed.

In my 150, I have a blue hippo and a purple tang. No other big fish in the tank other tan anthias and 2 wrasses. My LFS, after waiting more than 1 year has gotten a healthy black tang. He is about 4in. and is picking at the rocks and eating nori.

I just upgraded to a Octo. 200 skimmer which eliminates my concern of bio-load increase. I have a few options to consider:

1. Adding the black tang and dividing my tank with eggcrate for a few days to limit aggression and rearange rockwork.

2. Adding the black tang, along with a yellow tang, temporarily to limit aggression ona single tang. The yellow will be removed at a later date and rearange rockwork.

3. Not adding this beautiful specimen that is my fav. fish due to space, aggression, etc.

 

[JazzZero]

IDK id personally keep it in a breeder net from the morning till night and watch for signs of aggression or stress in the other tangs. If the tank is running normally then you should release the blk tang in the night (with lights off). If there are slight signs maybe you should release the blk tang and leave the lights off for a day. If things look kind of bad rearrange the rocks or try to remove the purple tang for a couple of days. (I dont think that the blue hippo would have a big problem). Anyhow this is just my 2 cents and good luck!

 

[prugs]

Fish aggression is very subjective to the individual fishes personality. You may have no problems at all, & then again there may be nothing you can do to stop a fish from killing another. Adding a yellow is no guarantee the purple will not attack the black. Make the sure the black tang is fat & well fed, before you add him to the tank. If you are that worried take the blue/purple out first, put the black in, & later add blue/purple. Yes do add the black tang at night, & also put a large mirror on the side of the tank. Fish usually would rather fight with their own reflection. Keep them well fed even if you have to feed more often for a few days. Good luck!

 

[mrp2g]

would the eggcrate idea do little to deter aggression?? I really dont have another place/tank to put 2 tangs...

 

[mrp2g]

any opinions about the eggcrate??

 

[Cantonesefish]

You could try putting one in the sump.

 

[Macimage]

Do you have a qt tank? If not, I wouldn't add a tang directly to your display tank.

Joyce

 

[Toddrtrex]

JMO, get rid of all the other tangs, and just keep the black one. For the price of them, and the time it takes to find one, I wouldn't want to risk putting one in a 125 with other tangs.

 

[mrp2g]

I do not have a QT tank. I understand the value of a QT. I have never had issues with adding fish to a display. Nevertheless, I am looking in the near future to adding a QT.
I think if I take the proper steps and precautions these 3 tangs can co-exist in a 150. The price tag is not the issue for me. Finacially, I am taking a BIG risk, but the possiblity of having a healthy specimen, well cared for that I have coveted for atleast 3 years is worth the risk for me.