Black Tang

[alton]

Okay I always wanted one but the money wasn't there, but looks like I may get one since the price is coming down? Should I stay away from the tiny ones or are they hardy no matter what? FYI I have done well with my very small Chevron Tang, and small imperator angel. This fish would go into QT with liverock for months before going into my 65 and then into my 300. The other question is would the Black Tang fair better by adding as a very small fish with my Large Chevron that I grew from very small. Or do better adding when it gets larger? With my angels I have better luck by adding a baby's, versus adding a larger one to my existing fish.

 

[Dmorty217]

They are often available at 1.5" and are very hardy at all sizes. When they are small it's much harder to tell if the "black tang" is a black/scopus hybrid instead if a true black long nose

 

[jschultzbass]

Right now Pacific Island Aquatics has them for $375....I am very tempted

 

[alton]

They are often available at 1.5" and are very hardy at all sizes. When they are small it's much harder to tell if the "black tang" is a black/scopus hybrid instead if a true black long nose

The black scopas thing is scary, hopefully Quality Marine gets it right?

 

[Dmorty217]

The black scopas thing is scary, hopefully Quality Marine gets it right?

Yes it is, Copps either has a thread on here from years ago or commented pretty extensively on the hybrids in a "black tang" thread... The person who thought they had a Black really had a hybrid... QM should get it right but the larger the specimen the easier it is to tell for sure

 

[Rea17]

I got a tiny black tang from PIA a while back, great price and he's now 3.5" or so, and definitely 100% black tang. I did have to medicate him early on and he handled it just fine. Remember that tiny fish need really frequent feeding because they don't have the body mass and energy storage of larger specimens, but beyond that ime the small blacks are just as hardy.

 

[Dmorty217]

I got a tiny black tang from PIA a while back, great price and he's now 3.5" or so, and definitely 100% black tang. I did have to medicate him early on and he handled it just fine. Remember that tiny fish need really frequent feeding because they don't have the body mass and energy storage of larger specimens, but beyond that ime the small blacks are just as hardy.

+1 on the feedings...I'm OCD about feeding so it's never a issue or thought

 

[alton]

I should of asked this sooner but how do they do with a freshwater dip for 10 minutes?

 

[Bigmastiff]

that's allot of cheese

 

[Dmorty217]

I should of asked this sooner but how do they do with a freshwater dip for 10 minutes?

Not sure, haven't ever freshwater dipped a marine fish... And definitely not a 400$ one. Are you worried about flukes or something else. Use TTM and prazipro and you will be good to go

 

[alton]

Not sure, haven't ever freshwater dipped a marine fish... And definitely not a 400$ one. Are you worried about flukes or something else. Use TTM and prazipro and you will be good to go

The first time I did it to a Redsea Regal Angelfish I was on pins and needles but he made it through fine. I had one that after twenty minutes was not affected at all and ate the same day when placed into my QT tub. All my angelfish go through it when first shipped to me and I have never lost one. Since I started freshwater dipping I have never lost a fish in QT either.
My regimate is I drip acclimate, Prazi Pro dip, FW dip, and into QT 100 gallon tub with prazi pro.

 

[jaa1456]

I got two both at 1", they are easy enough to distinguish between a hybrid. A Lfs near me just brought in 6 to them at 250 each. If I still had a tank up and running I would have bought 3 of them. They are very hardy fish and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one at a small size. I bought my second one without it even coming out of the bag at the LFS when they received it. The first one lived for 12 years, the second one I had for five and it is currently in a 700 gallon reef.

 

[the808state]

Tiny ones are not hardy as you would think. They need to be fed multiple times a day, and are sensitive to copper and other meds. the 2" size is the good size for most tangs where they can handle treatments and rougher handling.

tiny blacks are cool, but not for the average hobbyist.

 

[alton]

Thanks everyone, it comes in on Friday hopefully.

 

[Dmorty217]

Thanks everyone, it comes in on Friday hopefully.

Be sure and post pictures

 

[alton]

Sorry about the bad pictures, I guess I should of snapped a few while in the white acclimation bucket, not the black Rubbermaid tub? I did a 30 min. acclimation and then a 1 hour Prazi Pro dip, I chickened out on the fresh water dip. During the acclimation it laid on its side a lot, but looked great in the Prazi Pro bath and actually picked on some food.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Sorry about the bad pictures, I guess I should of snapped a few while in the white acclimation bucket, not the black Rubbermaid tub? I did a 30 min. acclimation and then a 1 hour Prazi Pro dip, I chickened out on the fresh water dip. During the acclimation it laid on its side a lot, but looked great in the Prazi Pro bath and actually picked on some food.

If you are not doing full QT, look into Ruby Reef Hydroplex. I heard good things about it for dipping newly acquired fish.

 

[Incaico]

Congrats!! I have always wanted one...maybe one day soon.

 

[Dmorty217]

Congrats, keep us updated on progress

 

[Funkateer_1]

Did somebody say black tangs :jester: ???

They are coming around right now. Perfect colors and the best price i've ever seen. QM had a special for retailers, don't wanna give numbers but CHEEEEEEAP.