copperband and powder-brown tang?

[crvz]

I am thinking of getting a Copperband Butterfly (Chelmon rostratus) and a Powder Brown Tang (Acanthurus japonicus), aka Japanese Surgeonfish. I understand this tang to be rather docile (in terms of tangs), but I don't want to create a bully situation in my tank. Other inhabitants right now are a Foxface (Lo vulpinus) and a bi-color blenny. The tank is a mixed reef, right now a 58 gallon but currently upgrading to a 150. Should i be concerned about this match? Anyone have experience with these either of these guys?

 

[thor32766]

the two will be fine together. make sure the CBB is eating at the store before bringing him home. Thats a must with all fish ecspecially CBB's.

 

[twon8]

i had two in a 90, the whiteface one, he is a really nice and docile fish, no problems with aggression ever. as said, cbb are very difficult to keep, they have a hard time finding food in the water column, as they are accustomed to picking at food with their long nose.

 

[crvz]

I was definitely going to be careful in my CBB selection and have also decided to QT to ensure health and get accustomed to my feeding schedule. I’ve read they can be finicky, and I’m game for providing the best opportunity for a long life.

I’ve read a few places that the CBB may nip clams or LPS corals. Does anyone have a history with this, or steps to take to minimize the chance?

Thor â€"œ you seem to be a tang connoisseur, and are decidedly more experienced than myself with the Acanthuroids. I’ve become more and more drawn to this species (Acanthurus japonicus) based on its reputed temperament, relative hardiness, and its coloration. But, I much enjoy the family of fish, and would like to add another one (for a total of 2). Do you have a recommendation for a 150 gallon tank that already houses a Foxface Rabbitfish? I am particularly interested in housing relatively peaceful fish, so if none come to mind which would likely be happy to coexist, please advice. I was thinking of a Kole, but maybe you know of something else.

 

[thor32766]

no go with a kole, they are SWEET! i think probably the most underated tang of all of them. They have awesome personalities, great community fish and great swimmers. they are all over the place. Really fun to watch! that would be a great choice. My CBB has been with a clam and corals for over 3 yrs. Never even looked at it. The main concern of people with reefs and CBB's is that they will eat all of your fan worms. thats for sure. All the ones i have been around, quite a few in reefs and never seen one eat any of what you stated. But again this is just my experience with them. Good luck on what ever you decide. keep us updated.

 

[crvz]

I'll be sure to keep everybody posted, i'm a little ways away from getting anything, though. I've got a trip to moscow scheduled in a few weeks, and i want to be around to keep my eyes on everybody. As much as my wife likes the tank, she's afraid to accept responsibility for such a daunting task!

Thor, you think the Powder Brown and Kole would be a good match? I would introduce the Powder Brown first, probably about six months before the Kole.

 

[thor32766]

yeah two differant species of tangs. one thing not huge, but if you could add the kole first i think things might be a little easier on the two. but Good luck with it, enjoy moscow. good luck!

 

[Serioussnaps]

wait until you get the 150...a CBB is easily intimidated by fish in a 58 gallon(mine is in a 55 with only a clown with her and i have had her for 2 years now) these fish get spooked easily but so long as you have a 150 and introduce the CBB months in advance of any tang you will likely be fine...

key to CBB is piscene energetics mysis enirched with zoe and selcon...and a loaded refugium

 

[crvz]

Thanks for your input, Serious. I'll definitely consider it. I may shoot my chances with this, though, depending on the specimens i have to choose from. if it's a good size, eats well at the store, and does well in QT, i think i'll have good chances. especially with the model citizens i am currently entertaining in my tank. i've been reading a ton about these copperbandeds at different online data dumps, and i surely am learning about their sensitive nature! he will be one of the centerpieces of my tank, though, and i dont want to take any undo risk.

 

[SoSa 110]

I tired this combination once and it didnt work out.. if you are going o do it add the copperband first and they the powder brown. the problem is that the copperband has no real way to protect itself from the tang no real mouth to bite back. My powder brown was a beauty but when I added another tang to the tank he bullied his so hard that he gave the other tang ich and got it himself. and they both died... : ( sad day but that was a long time ago and thank god I have not had to many more casualties after that. Good luck and remember that copperbands can eat corals if they get hungry..

 

[DrBDC]

I added a powder brown to my tank and my kole kicked his butt all over the tank for a couple days. The powder found a place between my seio and the return manifold outlet where he could put his head in and have get away. Well last night after 4 days suddenly the powder is swimming around and the kole could care less. It will take awhile for the marks to go away that the kole left on him. Now the powder is trying to fight with my foxface. I guess he wants to find out if he's number 2 or number 3. Before adding the powder, my kole seemed so passive and now that he established that he is boss, he's back to being a passive fish again. But for those 4 days he was ticked off big time.

 

[massman]

Acanthurids should ALWAYS be added last.
Ctenochaetus are far more docile. Yes they will give a new fish the hurry up, but they are not lethal. A kole tang added after a powder brown is a recipe for disaster 99% of the time.

 

[bureau13]

I'm kind of a fan of the "add the tangs together" mindset. I just got a very small yellow-bellied blue tang, a decent-sized yellow tang, similar purple tang, and a powder brown (japonicus) out of QT an into the display, and they seem like best friends. Every now and then they'll skirmish just a bit...like actual people....but are usually swimming together all over the place.

I was pretty worried about the QT situation, but there was no trouble whatsoever.

jds