clown tang

[badbrady06]

i am debating getting a clown tang and was wondering if anyone keeping this fish would mind posting photos. i am stuck between regals and c t. i want to see what they look like when larger, all i ever see is small ones. thank you

 

[Dark~Euphoria]

I have heard that they can get very agressive, I used to have a 2-3" one, it ate mysis shrimp... they are VERY active, constantly swimming.

 

[badbrady06]

if i do get one it will be going into an aquarium with tuff fish.

 

[snorvich]

they are mean and aggressive. Very, very active.

 

[Chibils]

I would go with a regal. Clown tangs have a terrible track record with regards to survival, not to mention their temperaments. What kind of tough fish do you plan to keep him with? Not many reef fish can match them.

 

[kilmca]

I've had one a little over 1.5 years. It's about 6 inches long and is starting to become a little more aggressive. It's definately the most dominant fish in the tank. Tough to get a good clear picture cause the fish never stops moving.

 

[Slakker]

I had been wondering why so many people wanted these if they were so mean...now I understand. Gorgeous fish, great pics!

 

[rob1991]

wow i cant wait until mine gets that big, i have had mine for 1.5 months acctually not years lol. he is 2-3" long doesnt eat brine shrimp that i feed the other fish, but he loves the sea weed strip thats all he eats everyday, very active, mine wouldnt hurt a fly. i havent been able to get a pic becuase he is VERY fast and small.

 

[badbrady06]

it's tankmates will be lookdowns h. tusk lunare wrasse 2 banded sharks and a blue spotted ray. thank you for the pics still a tuff decision though. i guess not many people here keep them?

 

[GustavoAZ]

kilmca, beautiful fish! I have one too and was wondering about those splits on it sides near the tail. Mine has this same problem, no sure if it's a problem... have you researched that, I don't even know where to begin. It almost looks like the fish is growing faster than the skin can keep up with.

My clown is def getting more agressive as it gets larger.

I wish it would spread it's top and bottom fins more often, it's a real treat to see that.

 

[kilmca]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13148376#post13148376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GustavoAZ
kilmca, beautiful fish! I have one too and was wondering about those splits on it sides near the tail. Mine has this same problem, no sure if it's a problem... have you researched that, I don't even know where to begin. It almost looks like the fish is growing faster than the skin can keep up with.

My clown is def getting more agressive as it gets larger.

I wish it would spread it's top and bottom fins more often, it's a real treat to see that.

Thanks GustavoAZ! I agree it is nice to see them spread their top and bottom fins.

The split on the sides of the fish that you are talking about is normal. They are spines, all Tangs have them. They are for defending themselves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurus

 

[GustavoAZ]

Hmm... do you think the skin will grow over?

 

[kilmca]

No the fishes scales will not grow over the spines.... this is normal.

http://www.fishbase.org/images/species/Aclin_u4.jpg

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13141328#post13141328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by badbrady06
it's tankmates will be lookdowns h. tusk lunare wrasse 2 banded sharks and a blue spotted ray. thank you for the pics still a tuff decision though. i guess not many people here keep them?

Most people don't have suitable tanks for them and/or know better. They are very sensitive fish and have a horrible survival rate. I'd be shocked if for every 100 collected if more than 1 lives past a year in captivity. The ones that do live usually end up terrorizing the tank once it gets bigger. Also, they need a ton of swimming room and really should have a lot of live rock to graze on since thyey often won't accept prepared foods.

 

[Springmo]

I would advise against getting one also. Needs very special care.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

Agreed, they do not have a good survival rate. Their temperament is along the lines of a Sohal, only the Sohal is a much hardier fish. I'd go with the Sohal if you want a really mean Tang

 

[BangkokMatt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13152046#post13152046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
Most people don't have suitable tanks for them and/or know better.

Very well put.

Whenever a clown tang thread is put on (which seems very regularly at the moment) people chime in saying that they are ok to keep. Usually these reefers have had one for a very short amount of time, usually in inappropriate set ups. The fact that the fish are still alive and still too small to cause problems gets put aside against 'I keep one and its no problem'.

People do keep them successfully for years. They have huge tanks with a small jet engine producing flow. If that doesn't sound like your tank then forget it

 

[GustavoAZ]

I agree. While I knew what I was buying I had no idea the rate of growth. I have had mine going on two years now


I actually plan on finding a much bigger home for my clown. It's still smaller than my Naso but I can tell it's starting to need its room. I have never seen a fish so fast. They truely need a very long tank.

You can kinda see him in this pic. http://members.cox.net/gustavoaz/grouppic.jpg

 

[badbrady06]

thanks for the pics kilmca, very nice looking fish. well i found more pics in other places and really like the fish so i'm gonna go ahead and pic one up. just gotta make sure hes healthy and big enough. should fit in really nice.

 

[BangkokMatt]

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