Clown Tang

nsfishguy

New member
I saw the thread about the sohal and have the same question about these clown tangs. I have read they can be a nightmare like the sohal! Anybody have any experience with these types of tangs? They sure are purdy!!!!
 
I had one that lived a year or two. However, it never really ate aquarium foods, it lived on whatever it picked off the rocks. I suppose that is why it died, it probably wasn't getting enough nutrition. As far as aggressiveness is concerned, it never bothered a thing, just went about it's business. I guess it was 4-5 ".

 
I had one that acclimated quite well surprisingly. He would assert dominant to any fish I put in the tank no matter how much larger the fish was compared to the 3" clown.
 
I don't have a clown, but my 3" sohal isn't too aggressive at all. Comes right up to my hand during feelings. Probably individual personalities.
 
What other fish do you have with it? How do they interact?

He is with an eight line flasher, rose band fairy, melenurus. leopard, red margin, 2 kumpang damsles. clowns, and a lamark angel. he killed a naso and a yellow tang one day who he lived with for 2 yrs prior.


The clown acts fine, occationally chases the lamark ( 6 inches ) and fairies but thats it. hates the magnet cleaner and i do have to watch him while in the tank as he does have inch long scalpels lol
 
Sounds like if you get one, it is just a matter of time before they are a nightmare. To bad, they are awesome looking!!! Thanks for the replies everyone.
 
Great. No more acanthurus species for me then!

I would not paint all acanthurus tangs with the same broad brush. Sohal tangs are known to be incredibly ornery once they mature to the 7 inch range but that is not true for all acanthurus tangs.
 
I would not paint all acanthurus tangs with the same broad brush. Sohal tangs are known to be incredibly ornery once they mature to the 7 inch range but that is not true for all acanthurus tangs.

^This. Orange shoulders on the other hand are very docile and can be kept in pairs or small groups if your tank is large enough
 
Great. No more acanthurus species for me then!

Like others pointed out, not ALL tangs of this genus are unruly tyrants and serial killers. Sohals, clowns, and powder blues are probably the harshest, but the following are relatively docile and shouldn't wreak havoc as long as their needs are met...

- Convicts
- Mimics
- Luitenant
- Orange Shoulder
- Fowleri
- Bariene
- Thomson's
- Lavender
- Etc. Etc.

... Trust me, there are a lot more good guys in that genus than villains. Sohals, clowns, and powder blues just happen to be some of the most desirable and "traditionally beautiful", which means their bad raps are going to spread much faster and in greater numbers. I may try a clown tang one day, if I'm at a point where I can handle multiple tanks and I'd probably just set up a long 300g+ tank in a greenhouse with a few damsels and mystery wrasse (none of which *should* tick him off too much). I'll call him Gacy :bum:
 
I love mine but it recently passed away due to a leaked tank. I had it for 7 yr. really aggressive, but I won't hesitate to get another one that's eating.
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