Desjardini and Clown Tang compatability

[Pylos]

I have the following stocked in my 180g:
Desjardini Tang
3 x leopard wrasse
6 x Chromis
1 clown
1 firefish
1 watchman goby
1 mandarin

I've always wanted a Clown Tang for as long as I've been in the hobby. I am more than content to stock it as the only tang in my reef and with a 6' tank I feel like I have a good chance at keeping one.

A well established 4.5" Clown Tang just came up for sale. I'm currently trying to get the Desjardini Tang out, but he is proving to be very very difficult to catch.

Do you think that a Desjardini and Clown will get along in the same tank considering the Clown is being introduced last?

I'm worried about the aggressive nature of this fish species. The particular one that is being sold has not shown any aggression to its other tank mates in a 160g for the last year. I've read horror stories about how these tangs are great one day and go on a rampage at ANYTHING near them - are these well founded? Am I not going to be able to stock any fish regardless of shape in the future after I stock the Clown?

Should I just not be lazy and go borrow a fish trap, wait a few days and try to get the Desjardini out to minimize possible aggression or will they coexist?

 

[Pylos]

Well...

I've been searching around the board and have another question to add to the list--- Is a 180g an inappropriate size for a Clown Tang? It looks like many people are posting that these tangs should be in very very large tanks of 1,000g plus - that scares me.

 

[ludiNano]

RC recommends 240g 8' minimum tank size for clown tangs and sailfins FWIW.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

Live aquaria even recommends 250g for the clown.

 

[Pylos]

RC recommends 240g 8' minimum tank size for clown tangs and sailfins FWIW.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

Live aquaria even recommends 250g for the clown.

Yup, interesting. The clown is now off the list of potentials.

Thanks.

 

[ludiNano]

Or u could be a great time for some major life changes... like a tank upgrade. : )

 

[Pylos]

Or u could be a great time for some major life changes... like a tank upgrade. : )

Now there is an idea!

 

[agreeive?fish]

my personal experience with the cheaper version of the sail fin and clown tang

had sailfin for 6-7+ years and it was an adult rescue trade in when i got it.

inherited an established 3" clown tang less than a year ago

added to tank with sailfin and an established purple tang

no issues between the 3 fish

tank is a 7ft, clown tang zipped end to end in less than 1 second , in and out of rock work and claimed a cave, ate like a pig from day 1... died within 2 weeks from unknown reasons

my take on it. i always wanted a clown tang, got one, lost one, still want one but WONT have one unless i get a MAJOR tank upgrade,from my short observation i wouldn't have one again unless my tank was public aquarium size of at least 100ft x 10ft x 10ft at a minimum..just my opinion

 

[mikid]

tangs.......

tangs.......

i would never have 2 tangs in the same tank unless it was at least 180 or larger....would always recommand either 1 tang or 3 or more....why...a pair will always defend their tank space.....3 will add a wrench to that situation.....they will work it out...........:beer:

 

[Orcrone]

The clown tang (Acanthurus) and sailfin tang (Zebrasoma) are from different families, increasing your chance of non-aggression. According to LiveAquaria the Clown Tang is recommended for Experts Only. You have to decide if you fall into that category. I know that it's recommended for larger tanks but my LFS has one doing very well in their 180.

 

[cougaran]

You may be fine right now, but eventually you most likely will need more room as the clown will out grow that tank. You can try to rearrange rock work to stop aggression. Also throwing up a small mirror on the tank works to stop aggression. when first introducing after QT keep the lights off till next day...