Considering removing my tangs
- Thread starter SDguy
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xxtriggermanxx
New member
are you considering this due to space or other issues?
xxtriggermanxx
New member
I asked , because i just added a copperband to my tank with a Yellow,Black,and Chevron. so far not even a peep.
xxtriggermanxx
New member
265 , but like i said. i just added it... i'm a bit worried right now
LemonLemon
New member
go for it!!
butterflies are just like tangs in many ways but i always find them to be more interesting!
they flit around the tank and swim out in the open, just like tangs. they pick on the rocks and are very interactive with the rockscape which is what i love about chaetodontids.
they are so fluid around the rocks. so interactive. nipping, pecking. longnose butterflies especially love to hang upside down as they pick at stuff growing at hard to reach areas.
i've a few butterflies in my tank. a longnose, mitratus, declivis and i had a marginalis.
people always say i'm mad for putting them in reef tanks. but such stereotype has long died down. butterflies can make stunning reef additions if you choose the correct species.
longnose and copperbands are some of my favourites. cheap, gorgeous and very safe. it makes a reef, a reef.
so yes!
butterflies are just like tangs in many ways but i always find them to be more interesting!
they flit around the tank and swim out in the open, just like tangs. they pick on the rocks and are very interactive with the rockscape which is what i love about chaetodontids.
they are so fluid around the rocks. so interactive. nipping, pecking. longnose butterflies especially love to hang upside down as they pick at stuff growing at hard to reach areas.
i've a few butterflies in my tank. a longnose, mitratus, declivis and i had a marginalis.
people always say i'm mad for putting them in reef tanks. but such stereotype has long died down. butterflies can make stunning reef additions if you choose the correct species.
longnose and copperbands are some of my favourites. cheap, gorgeous and very safe. it makes a reef, a reef.
so yes!
DarkXerox
New member
Yeah we have had a copperband for about 5 years in our 90g. Friendliest fish ever and eats from your hand. Plus it is really funny when a cube of food gets caught in a Vortech and it swims in the full blast stream snapping up the food as it thaws.
If you do get one and it is picky, there was a neat post on glassbox on how to adapt them to eating frozen food by mashing it into an old snail shell or live rock piece and popping it in the freezer. Then dropping it in the tank so the butterflies can peck away at it more naturally.
However I think you had nice coco worms in your tank. If you still do, you will likely have to get rid of them as they will become lunch. Plus side is that you'll never see aiptasia again!
If you do get one and it is picky, there was a neat post on glassbox on how to adapt them to eating frozen food by mashing it into an old snail shell or live rock piece and popping it in the freezer. Then dropping it in the tank so the butterflies can peck away at it more naturally.
However I think you had nice coco worms in your tank. If you still do, you will likely have to get rid of them as they will become lunch. Plus side is that you'll never see aiptasia again!
tom obrecht
Active member
I think the time eventually comes for every reef keeper to make a decision like this whether for a need for new additions, the fish outgrows a system, boredom on the owners side ect. I think for many of us (at least in my case) once the system has really matured there is sense to do somthing new. I think if you have enjoyed the tangs and need a new direction go for it.
That is not easy. Some people drain the tank nearly to the bottom and then catch them.
If you want to give it a shot with your tangs, make sure you QT the B'fly long enough for it to rebuild its strength and fat reserves. My tangs (a Purple and a Striatus Bristletooth) will usually harass newcomers for a relatively short time and while this might kill a weakened, already stressed out fish, the healthy and well rested ones have a much better track record at surviving it.
Kahuna Tuna
Active member
I have always found it hard to give away fish once they have been in my system for a while, I just get too attached to them. It would be a toss up for me between tangs and butterflies, all of my tanks have had at least a tang or butterfly or usually both. My existing setup is the first I have done in a while that doesn't have a BF. I personally love the look of the copperbands and have always wanted a saddleback BF. My favorite BF that I have kept was a trio of heni's back in the day, very active and hardy fish.
Thank you for the comments/input.
I think Tom really summed it up well. Originally I bought the tangs because, well, those were the accepted large fish one buys for a reef, at least in my old school head.
I am very attached to the tomini and the powder blue. Unfortunately, the powder blue is starting to act "cramped", and I think it's time for him to find larger quarters. The tomini is great, and I'm embarrassed to say this, but he is in fact a large, mostly brown fish, and I can't help it, I'd rather have a bright white/yellow/orange butterfly instead, at this point. Am I a horrible person?
I think Tom really summed it up well. Originally I bought the tangs because, well, those were the accepted large fish one buys for a reef, at least in my old school head.
I am very attached to the tomini and the powder blue. Unfortunately, the powder blue is starting to act "cramped", and I think it's time for him to find larger quarters. The tomini is great, and I'm embarrassed to say this, but he is in fact a large, mostly brown fish, and I can't help it, I'd rather have a bright white/yellow/orange butterfly instead, at this point. Am I a horrible person?
Not an issue for me. The tangs are the FIRST fish in the trap, whever I use it :lol:
I have a diphreutes in my FOWLR right now. He's HUGE, and grew very fast.
But, I have been looking at zoster's lately. I saw a pair in a LFS a few weeks ago, and they were quite stunning!
davocean
Active member
At first I was going to say no way, you've had that PBT for so long, and been one of the lucky ones to get a fairly peaceful one, but if it's acting cramped, that alone probably answers your question.
I didn't like ditching my first tennenti, but knowing it went to a responsible person w/ a bigger more appropriate tank eased any guilt on my end.
Besides, I know you need those bright colors and love BF's, time for change.
I didn't like ditching my first tennenti, but knowing it went to a responsible person w/ a bigger more appropriate tank eased any guilt on my end.
Besides, I know you need those bright colors and love BF's, time for change.
michael_cb_125
New member
My thoughts:
Remove tangs......
Add much more interesting butterflies.......
Problem solved......
~Michael
Remove tangs......
Add much more interesting butterflies.......
Problem solved......
~Michael
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