Convict and Atlantic Blue Tangs

[Reefing Newbie]

So I have done some reasearch on both species of fish and thought I would ask for people's personal experiences with both species to get an idea of what they may actually be like and stuff like that. I plan on having both tangs in my 125 gallon reef tank as last additions. One thing specific to the convict tang, are they an easy or intermediate fish to care for? I have read about it being both and would like input. Some sites say they are difficult to get on the captive diet and was wondering if this was true and if so methods used to get them to eat? Other than that just list the species you had or have, easy or diffiuclt to care for, problems, favorite foods, habits, and behavior towards others(aggressive, friendly, or passive, maybe just plain dominant). Thanks in advance, hope you RC members can help save me some potential issues when I am ready for them!

 

[Toddrtrex]

I would skip the Atlantic tang for that sized tank, they just get way too big. Remember being shocked at just how large they get when I was snorkeling in Puerto Rico.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Just to be sure we are on the same page, you are speaking of the Acanthurus coeruleus. That is the fish I was thinking of getting, liveaquaria says 9" and bluezoo says 15.5". Not arguing or being stubborn just trying to get info straight. Not sure which to believe and bluezoo has one strike against them for me as they say 21" for a PBT which I learned they only get to 9" usually in captivity. I would love to have this cleared up, can't believe everything you hear or read. I was looking for a bigger sized blue fish and this was my second choice to the PBT which I was steared away from by steve and others here due to the prone to sickness part of them.

 

[boilermaker1]

I second Todd... I see Atlantic blues all the time snorkeling in the Caribbean, and there are plenty of them the size of a dinner plate. They get big.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Okay, I will pass on the atla rice blue tang for the health and happiness of it long term. I will think of a replacement that I think would be good and get back on that. Anyone on RC have or had a convict tang? I really like them and wanted to get some personal experiences from people about them.

 

[clowntriggerfis]

you could get a powder blue and there is a tang tank size sticky on reef central that says alantic blue tangs are fine in a 125 and it is under new to the hobby if you want to look at it

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I noticed the Atlantic blue tang bein okay in a 125, but if it gets big I don't want to because it may make my tank look small.