Calling all Tang owners!!

[toothybugs]

Hey guys -

I rarely ask fish questions but this one doesn't seem to have an answer readily available. I'm upping my 40B to a 75 currently and am really looking forward to getting a couple bigger fish for it, and am going tang.

First order of business: I'm getting a Kole (60% sure) or one of the bristletooth beauties (35%). ((I left off 5% because the wife may put her foot down and make me get a yellow, but its really unlikely.))

Second order: as noted, she wants a yellow. I don't. They're generic and get a little big for a 75, even a fairly sparsely rocked out 75 - I have about 65-70 pounds of rock going in my tank and it's BB to boot. But I do want a second, small tang if at all possible.

So the question becomes: Can I??

What is the rule on multiple tangs in a 75? No go, you shall not pass, don't collect $200? Or can I get away with a Tomini and a Kole?

The biggest fish in the tank otherwise is a tie between my Valentini and my female ocellaris. And she's a wimp.

So... can I have 2 tangs?

 

[ca1ore]

I don't see why not. I kept a Chevron bristletooth in a 75 for years along with a convict (though I did rehome the convict after about two years). Got that same combination, along with a small naso and multiple wrasses, in a 90 now.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Let's not use the 'tang police' phrase again, okay?

 

[toothybugs]

Let's not use the 'tang police' phrase again, okay?

Okey doke - wasn't aware it was offensive or otherwise to be avoided. Duly noted.

 

[Dmorty217]

The "TP" comment seems to come from those who are lacking education on the subject at hand. It's like asking yourself if you should get a horse for you 1/4 acre yard... Yes you can do it but it probably isn't the best thing

 

[toothybugs]

The "TP" comment seems to come from those who are lacking education on the subject at hand. ---

And get offended by being told their idea isn't the greatest idea, ala your horse analogy. Which is exactly the reason I'm asking - I really don't have much educated experience with tangs and am seeking it.

I would appreciate a few more "aye or nay" type answers with supporting details though. Currently I'm at about 1 of each.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

Technically, it can be done, but I wouldn't risk it if I were you. How about substituting the yellow tang for a foxface? Pretty peaceful fish that is out in the open constantly, but doesn't require allot of swim space. Will also still give you that color splash. Here is the smaller one of the foxfaces out there. LA has it listed as compatible for your upgraded tank.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1465+2704&pcatid=2704

There is a little risk, though. Some people have had issues with them picking at their coral, but some folks have reported tangs doing the same thing (and they are classified to be reef safe). I haven't had any issue with my foxface in my 225g mixed reef...

 

[toothybugs]

Technically, it can be done, but I wouldn't risk it if I were you. How about substituting the yellow tang for a foxface? Pretty peaceful fish that is out in the open constantly, but doesn't require allot of swim space. Will also still give you that color splash. Here is the smaller one of the foxfaces out there. LA has it listed as compatible for your upgraded tank.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1465+2704&pcatid=2704

There is a little risk, though. Some people have had issues with them picking at their coral, but some folks have reported tangs doing the same thing (and they are classified to be reef safe). I haven't had any issue with my foxface in my 225g mixed reef...

Thanks Cedz. Good info - when I first saw "foxface" I thought "yellow NFL football" but then read further. Thanks for that.


Jwon - I think we're done with the TP analysis. What are your thoughts on my tank situation? Any direction?

 

[Sk8r]

Tangs come in a couple of dispositions: the rock browsers, like the tomini and kole, which can get along in a smaller tank, or the runners, that do long-distance rushes. They all come armed with a lethal spike, and the day they feel crowded and freaky, they will use it on their tankmates, who may go missing quietly. Most tangs are not satisfactory in a small tank.

 

[BrianD]

Posts were removed. If you have something intelligent to add based on actual experience, please do so. If you are only posting because you believe you are funny or clever, trust me, you are not.

 

[CHSUB]

get 1 yellow only and skip the kole; koles are very aggressive, imo!!!

 

[jason2459]

get 1 yellow only and skip the kole; koles are very aggressive, imo!!!

Having had both of those I'd say both are aggressive. So, only one and my personal preference would be some smaller bristle tooth in that size tank.


But if it is going to be the Yellow then I highly recommend adding it last. Make sure to pick compatible tank mates and those that can defend themselves. Like a Maroon clown would be good. A Copperband butterfly, bad.

 

[Tigerdragon]

I had good luck with multiple tangs in a 90. A naso, yellow, red sea sailfin, and a yellow eyed kole they got along fine key is if there is enough hiding spaces for them. So far in my 200 i have 2- yellow, an orange shoulder, mimic, kole, and an eibli mimic tang ther are spats at times but everyone settles down. As far as multiple tangs it can be done but i would look at the smaller sized tangs instead of the ones that get 14"

 

[ginpang]

I'm not a tP .... But tang in a 4' tank... For their entire life expectancy absolutely not! But I've done the itsy Bitsy baby fish until it got to big for the space and rehoused them.
Sometimes hobbyists are thankful for a nice fat healthy specimen that's been Qted for a few years in someone's tank. Sure beats buying a specimen you've never seen on the Internet with possible health problems.

 

[jason2459]

I had good luck with multiple tangs in a 90. A naso, yellow, red sea sailfin, and a yellow eyed kole they got along fine key is if there is enough hiding spaces for them. So far in my 200 i have 2- yellow, an orange shoulder, mimic, kole, and an eibli mimic tang ther are spats at times but everyone settles down. As far as multiple tangs it can be done but i would look at the smaller sized tangs instead of the ones that get 14"

How long did you have them and what size did those tangs get in that 90? What happen to them? I would not enjoy a 1+ foot fish in that small of a tank. Personal preference regardless of being a tang...

 

[MitchSutherland]

My thinking is slowly changing after being in this hobby. I used to think just buy the fish QT them and then trade them in/or sell them. But man after all the work you put into quarantining. That idea sounds exhausting. I can still see 2 tangs possibly working out. Just dont get into the habit of thinking, oh I will just move them ect.(not saying you are now. Just stating my opinion)

 

[eatbreakfast]

A tomini and kole in a 75 may or may not work. Each are smaller tangs, so will be fine even as adults, but some individuals are more aggressive than others. IME neither of these provided too bad of aggression problems.

 

[Tigerdragon]

How long did you have them and what size did those tangs get in that 90? What happen to them? I would not enjoy a 1+ foot fish in that small of a tank. Personal preference regardless of being a tang...

They all ranged in size from 3.5"-6" then i purchased my 200 had rehomed everyone all was fine till i needed to catch on small marroon clown no easy task in an 8' long tank wound up with stressed induced ich pretty much decimated my tank am now in the restocking phase

 

[Dmorty217]

Posts were removed. If you have something intelligent to add based on actual experience, please do so. If you are only posting because you believe you are funny or clever, trust me, you are not.

LMAO... I love when Brian gets involved!

 

[Deinonych]

My $0.02...limit yourself to either the Kole or the Tomini, not both. I have a Kole in my 105, and he can be quite bossy at times, especially to fish occupying the same ecological niche (like my blenny). I would bet that adding a conspecific like a Tomini would focus the aggression in such a relatively small space. Also, my Kole uses every bit of tank length -- they are quite active.