Calling all Tang keeping experts....

[moore_rb]

There are four Tangs I'm considering for my 140:

Lemon Mimic
Red Sea Purple
Atlantic Blue
Eibli Mimic

Now, I know the two mimics would not get along with each other, and I know that the Purple has a 50/50 chance of getting along with ANY other tangs at all, but I'd really like to successfully keep at least two from the list.

I'm thinking the Atlantic Blue and the Lemon Mimic probably have the best chance of co-existing, and that if I add a RS Purple that is smaller than the others that I might get to keep three out of the four together.

What do you Tang experts out there think? Is my 140 a large enough tank for these three, or should I just stick with the two (ABT and LMT) and call it good?

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I've never kept an Atlantic blue (I think they get pretty large) but I have the other three and I dont think you will have a problem mixing any two of them (except two mimic's). I wouldn't do three tangs but thats just me, I know it can be done. I'm keeping a Herald's angel mimic right now and it's a great fish but I had a tough time with the Eibl's mimic years ago and that fish did poorly in my tank. I do know the Eibl's mimic in't nearly as attractive as an adult as the Herald's/lemonpeel/halfblack angel mimics. If that was my tank I would add a mimic and purple at the same time and call it good.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

My Eibl mimic is changing into an adult and it is not near as pretty as it once was. I am keeping him in with 6 other tangs non of the ones you list though. I would probably go with the lemon mimic the alantic and add the purple last. JMO PS, AT has a lemon mimic for 40$ right now that is amazing. I almost bought it but was scared to add another tang into the tank. Good luck!

 

[moore_rb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7827866#post7827866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kahuna Tuna
If that was my tank I would add a mimic and purple at the same time and call it good.

The more I read about the Altantic Blues, the more I'm inclined to agree with you on that.

I think two tangs will be it.....

I'll call ATR tomorrow and see if that Lemon mimic is still there. Do you think he'll bother my 3 inch Foxface?

 

[just dave]

I've kept three Acanthurus pyroferus ( a Lemonpeel mimic,Halfblack mimic and Heralds mimic) along with a Acanthurus tristis (Eibli mimic ) and they got along fine. Can't say what would happen when they matured as they were moved out when they started getting too large for the tank (150 gal.)

 

[just dave]

I should add that I'm no expert but I did stay in a hotel in which the maids brother knew a guy that stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

 

[Psionicdragon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7830209#post7830209 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by just dave
I should add that I'm no expert but I did stay in a hotel in which the maids brother knew a guy that stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

Rofl


I read awhile ago from a poster who said that if you keep the fish well fed, a lot of room to swim, and something else, they won't fight as much.

I believe that is pretty true since I have different family of tangs in my tank. They get along pretty well, but some fights among themselves like yellow vs yellow, purple vs purple, and sailfin vs anyone.

I think my Sailfn killed my scopas because it wasn't fed on time .

Atlantic blue tangs are beautiful, but when they get older they won't be happy in your 140 since they can get up to 9 inches iirc.

 

[thor32766]

yes the statement is very true. The key to keeping tangs together is feeding them. Mine are feed three times a day. They get romaine lettuce, brocclli and sheets of nori everyday. they get there proteins in differant forms along with it. These fish are the cows of the ocean. They are constantly swimming and eating. They burn alot so they have to eat alot.
their attitudes are affected by how they are feed. Its just like human beings getting cranky when we dont eat. Same theory. If you want mulitple tangs, the best way to keep them is having an open tank swimming area along with alot of food. hope this helps a little.

 

[Asuran]

agreed with feedings try not to over feed at the same time but feeding multiple times a day small portions and having some seaweed on a clip in the tank most of the time is helpful in keeping them from sparring. my tangs get along and only fight when they want a spot to ride the current coming out of the tunze... or they will cruise from one end of the tank to the other in a group

 

[thor32766]

yeah mine school to, its really cool to see. also love the water treadmill!! they just sit in front of it and coast, really cool to watch.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

It was Aquatouch not ATR that had it.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I should add that I'm no expert but I did stay in a hotel in which the maids brother knew a guy that stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

LOL

I'll call ATR tomorrow and see if that Lemon mimic is still there. Do you think he'll bother my 3 inch Foxface?

Your foxface wont be bothered for long if at all, something about those venemous spines makes other fish behave. I thought that Atlantic blue tangs got big, aroung a foot or so, but I was wrong. They top out at around 16 inches and are commonly found at the 10-12" size. Big fish for any tank.

I agree with all those who have a steady supply of grazing material for these fish, tangs, angels, rabbits, and other types of grazers and other herbavores really benefit, especially behavior wise, when they are busy feeding. My tangs as well as my angels love those feeding clips with algae and feeding grids for gel food, keeps em busy and out of trouble.

 

[thor32766]

well said

 

[clkwrk]

Did you get your mimic?


I vote for the Red Sea Purple and
Atlantic Blue but thats just me . The atlantic blue isn't a fast grower either.Although they look their best when mature.

 

[vanmle]

Agreed. Red Sea Purple is one of the most beautiful of the tangs. Does it seem like the Red Sea just have some gorgeous fish?

 

[clkwrk]

yup the red sea sailfin is awesome also

 

[moore_rb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7840485#post7840485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk
Did you get your mimic?

Yes, I bought my Mimic Tang, but I'm still working to ID it. It is a half-black angel mimic that I picked up at ATR today. Its coloration looks like the A. Chronix pictured in Dr. Burgess's Atlas, but I think it is Acanthurus Pyroferus based on the anal and dorsal fin ray count....

ATR had several small to large ABT's too, including one about 8 inches. I was tempted to purchase one of the yellow juveniles, but ended up getting a Male Lubbock's Wrasse (Clkwrk's favorite) and a Chalk Bass instead.

I still might go back anD get one of the ABT's, but I'm still on the fence about the Atlantic Blue. I know it would take years for it to get huge, but I'd rather just keep fish that I know will never outgrow my current tank.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I'd rather just keep fish that I know will never outgrow my current tank.

After doing this hobby for the better part of three decades this has become my philosophy because frankly catching fish out of a fully stocked reef tank really sucks. Congrats on the mimic, these are becoming my favorite Acanthurus tang, they are just great fish. I would bet you have a pyroferus, the chronixis are pretty rare in the trade.

 

[clkwrk]

I use my fish as a reason to upgrade

Pets inc has a good number of those lubbucks now for 25 bucks . I would have gotten more but the ro/di group buy and my new h&s are taking my extra cash

 

[moore_rb]

Here is the Mimic Tang I picked up today. 5 minutes after going in the tank, he had already squared off and come to an understanding with my Coral Beauty Angel, and was ready to start munching: