Fish that makes a splash

brett559

brett559

New member
Thanks for all the help and advice - I tend to post a lot of questions. Yesterday I asked about the triggerfish, but I am realizing that will probably not work. I'll just be honest - I want as many fish as possible. I don't want to create problems for the fish or myself, but I want a full, stocked tank (90 gallon, 2 x 3 x 3).

My current stock is:
Yellow tang
Blue tang (very small)
Coral beauty
Purple firefish
Royal gramma
Melanarus wrasse (small)
Clownfish pair (hosted by green BTA)

My LFS is on the lookout for an orange-back wrasse, which will bring me up to 9 fish.

I'd like to add at least one more fish, if not a few more. I have a strong skimmer and am vigilant about water changes. All my fish get along and things are going well.

So what are some ideas for a few final fish? I don't think the tank is ready for a mandarin, and I've read that my wrasses might consume all the pods. I really like hawkfish, but my peppermint shrimp are slowly ridding my tank of aiptasia and I don't want them to become lunch.

I'm not too concerned about the price of the fish, and my LFS guy makes frequent trips to LA and is good about finding the fish his customers request. I realize another tang is out, as is triggerfish. I've always wanted a flame angel, but worry about aggression from the CB. I don't yet have a sand-dweller, but gobies don't really do it for me. I've considered a single male lyretail anthias.

I realize it's tough to find a tankmate to match what I'm looking for, and I'm sure many of you are itching to dump on me because of my blue tang and tell me I'm already overstocked. But any advice is welcome!
 
I would say you have surpassed your stock limit. If you were dead set on another fish you could add maybe a yellow clown goby or some other small Blenny but wouldn't stray far from that.
 
I think if you removed the blue tang you would have less stress and problems in the future ( unless you plan to upgrade to double your tank size ). I think you are at a fully stocked tank right now, but if you really want another fish, go small.
 
No more fish will fit in your tank, you bought the wrong tank dimensions. A normal 90 ( 18"x4')would have room for more but this one is to small. I understand why you want all the fish possible, I would too :), but there are only a certain amount if fish you can humanely coop up. I know you may be tired of this suggestion but I would remove both tangs no matter what size they are now. You should do this for 3 reasons 1 as others have said it is in humane and cruel to keep fish that grow very large in a 3 foot long tank, this tank is to small both tangs. 2 is that they will get extremely aggressive when cooped up in this size tank, if you look at there tails you will notice that they have a spike also known as a scalpel on the end. This scalpel can and will kill other fish I have seen it happen. 3 is that they are taking up a lot of space that could be used for more smaller fish, they are pelagic and eat a lot which means that they have a huge bio load, if you returned them you might have space for as much as 5 more smaller fish such as dottybacks, basslets, and wrasses. If you get rid of them then you can instead of buying as many fish as possible focus on getting more expensive, rarer unusual fish such as rhomboid wrasse, flame wrasse, or swissguard basslets.
 
I am incredibly tired of the suggestion. Removing the blue tang is not an option. The yellow tang is 3 years old and is only about 3 inches long. Have you kept blue tangs? My neighbor's blue tang is 3-4 years old (200g tank) and is about as big as my yellow.
 
I've had my blue tang for 8 yrs. they get big. I bought him the size of a quarter and moved him from a 3ft 58 gal to now a 5ft tank and he still seems big for the tank. He's a mean sob
 
brett559 said:
I am incredibly tired of the suggestion. Removing the blue tang is not an option. The yellow tang is 3 years old and is only about 3 inches long. Have you kept blue tangs? My neighbor's blue tang is 3-4 years old (200g tank) and is about as big as my yellow.
Click to expand...

Yes I have in my 180 there is a 9 inch 7 year old hippo who has killed several fish.
 
Id much rather have a Black Tang then a Gem. Conspicuous is one of my favorite Angels hands down and at some point I'll add one once I finish the dream build. You should totally get them both. They would bring out your petco aquarium.
 
Petco aquarium? Dang! So harsh.

My wife and I have actually put a lot of time, effort and energy into this tank. I've waited years to get into this hobby. Digs like that aren't helpful.

PS - Zebra moray eels go in 125 gallons, not 80, you inhuman, horrible monster.... You wanted an eel like I (my daughter actually) wanted a blue tang.
 
Last edited:
A 3' tank is widely considered too small for tangs. Could a small tang be housed in that tank for a while? I would think so. But it is not viable long term. This opinion is not mine and it's not really debated, as far as I can see, by serious aquarists. Your other fish are fine. In a 90, you could easily have 20 fish but they need to be appropriately sized. 5" max generally speaking. Stick to wrasses, gobies, a blenny, cardinals, etc. You've got a lot you can play with there. But if you're stuck on those tangs, you're just going to continue to get flack for it. Good luck. I love the dimensions of your tank!
 
A 90g is not a suitable habitat for tangs, or for the Diver's Den angelfish you mentioned above. People are not going to approve of your stock list until you remove those.
Why is it not an option to remove the tangs? Do you have nowhere to send them, or are you simply reluctant to move them?
A tang that is several years old and still tiny has not been treated properly.

You could try a chalk bass or one of any cardinal you want, IF you remove the tangs. If you do not, you will arrive at problems.
 
brett559 said:
Petco aquarium? Dang! So harsh.

My wife and I have actually put a lot of time, effort and energy into this tank. I've waited years to get into this hobby. Digs like that aren't helpful.

PS - Zebra moray eels go in 125 gallons, not 80, you inhuman, horrible monster.... You wanted an eel like I (my daughter actually) wanted a blue tang.
Click to expand...

Sorry bud but he is in a 120g tank. You should do your research more. :debi::debi::debi:
 
brett559 said:
Thanks for your opinion. Anyone else?

Whatever, I'll just get these two
http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=246344

http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=248464
Click to expand...

Here is your problem:

you ask for answers, then you get them but don't like them, so instead of working towards the middle you keep asking until you get one you want.

It would be a waste of that Gem Tang in your tank. It would lose it's sheen and beauty due to stress.

TBH, you probably could keep one of those two tangs and be fine. If your daughter wants Dory, keep the young blue and it may be ok, but get rid of the yellow then.

I know they are just fish and not a furry pet, but try and feel a little empathy. Hell my Grandpa kept Bettas and would let 'em duke it out every now and again. I get it, people keep animals to kill and eat etc etc but you are trying to create a succesful harmonious enviornment which you won't get with what you have set up.
 
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