Convict Tang and Blue Tang

[VJNJIT]

Hello Folks,

I am new to saltwater hobby and need some advice with tangs. Is it okay if I add a convict tang now and a blue tang a month later? In my research I found that convict tang is the most peaceful of all tangs and can get bullied by other tangs. So what will happen if I add a convict tang first and then a blue tang later, so that my convict would have already established some territory in this tank. Please advice..

 

[zeebies]

Hi VJNJIT. For starters, here are some recommended tank sizes for fish:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

For the fish you are considering, RC recommends a 125 gallon tank.

 

[shifty51008]

Please do not add either of those fish to your 60 gal tank. Tall tanks for one are not good for open water swimmers and a tank that is only 12" from front to back you want to add fish that will get over 12" in length and your not even includeing the rock in the tank which reduces swimming area. There are plenty of other fish that will fit that size tank much better, please choose the fish accordanly.

 

[VJNJIT]

Thanks for the reply, my tank is 4 feet long and 2 feet tall. Yes it is 14 inch wide. I may sell the fish or upgrade to a larger tank in few years. I heard they grow fast upto 4 inches and then their growth rate decreases. Please advise.

 

[CStrickland]

Tank size recommendations are based on several factors. These fish are wild animals that we take as pets and they have unique needs that are not necessarily related to the size of the fish itself, but rather it's temperament as evolved to live in the reef. Some of the factors that determine tank size are: swimming space, diet, and aggression, among others. Tangs eat algae and swim miles and miles every day to find it. They have evolved natural defensive aggression to protect they're breeding instincts and territory. So in our tanks they need a balance of swimming room and rocks to pick at, as well as enough "personal space." When you take responsibility for another life you have a duty to provide for it, imo not the least you can do but the best you can do.

People have been keeping tangs in aquariums for at least 20 years. Some of the contributors to the thread linked above have been doing it nearly that long. Experience has shown that they do not thrive in small tanks. Those numbers are the minimum, the least you can do.

 

[VJNJIT]

Okay.. Thank you for the advise .. I will opt out against tangs for now..

 

[CStrickland]

Good choice!
A banghaai Cardinal fish might be a good replacement for the convict tang http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1926+2672&pcatid=2672
And there's lots of pretty damsels and wrasses that could replace the blue tang and be happy in your tank. I think that website is a good place to learn about fish, they have great pics and the info is pretty accurate regarding the care of different fish like whether they are aggressive, reef safe (doesn't eat coral), tank sizes, diet, and they also list them as easy-care or expert depending on how well they tend to do in aquariums.