Convict tang

[Drewl117]

I saw a convict tang at my lfs who is about 3.5-4 inches and looking pretty fat and happy. I'm thinking about going back to get him tomorrow. Has anyone had any experience with these and do you think he would get along with all my other fish. My setup is a 210 reef.
Currently in the tank...

Sailfin tang (desjardine)- 5" and the boss of the tank but in a nice way
Yellow tang-3" and copies Everything the sailfin does
Powder blue tang- 4" very well mannered
Male blue throat trigger-5" and fat... The nicest fish in there and my favorite
2 clowns- stupid things just stay at the top corner most of the time. They host the loc line
3 female lyre tale anthias
1 orchad dottyback
Thanks in advance for the input

 

[deweyhowell]

I don't have any direct experience, but from my reading here on RC, the convict is one of the more mellow tangs and I would worry that your well-mannered Powder Blue would turn into a powder keg and make the convict's life miserable. They are the same genus and Powder Blue's are known to be especially aggressive toward other Acanthurus species.

 

[Drewl117]

Ok... I will pass then. That's to bad, what a nice looking fish!
Thanks

 

[d-man]

Yep, your blue will be a terror with a new tang

 

[Drewl117]

Do you think it would be bad with any new tang? They also have a nice naso that has been there for over a month and looks very healthy.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I added my PB after the Naso. They do OK. But the PB is now the boss.
I say go for it, with caution.

 

[deweyhowell]

I think most here would say a Naso needs an 8ft tank to thrive, let alone with 3 other rather aggressive tangs. If you want another tang I would look at the bristletooths - Ctenochaetus, such as the Kole or Tomini. These are the most different from your current bunch and may be your best bet. For me, the Kole and Tomini pictures are a bit underwhelming, but my LFS has had some very nice specimens. I think they look much better in tank.

Are you set on another tang? If your looking for an active fish with great color, there are a large variety of wrasses you can consider - look into flashers and fairy wrasses.

 

[Drewl117]

I'm not set on only a tang. Now that I've been thinking it over I think I will just stay with some more smaller fish and not disturb the good crew that I have. . I just saw him at lfs and liked him a lot and always have wanted one but it's not worth it to have a stressed out fish that I have to worry about. I hope he goes to a good home.

 

[Moto_fish]

Zero tang real life experience here, but Id say attempt the convict. They're my favorite fish, and I think with an acclimation box or something of the sort you might have luck since its more docile than your other 3

 

[d-man]

PB tangs are pretty aggressive to most tangs. I wouldn't risk it, unless u take the PB out for a timeout while the convict gets comfortable.
Convicts can be tricky tangs anyway

 

[Drewl117]

Thanks for the input everyone. I left the tang at the lfs and took home another lyretale anthias that was once part of the 3 that I already have. She will be with all her sisters again.

 

[ca1ore]

I don't think it's wise to ever have more than just a single Acanthurus genus in the same tank. I've kept multiple zebras and bristles, but not Acanthurus. Particularly with the more aggressive ones as the resident. There will always be somebody popping out of the woodwork to say 'I'm doing it'; doesn't make it a good idea though.