Here Fishy!

[jaydog121]

One more question and I will srop bugging you Here is a list of my fish.....which types of other fish my I put in my tank and be safe!

Yellow Tang
Scopus Tang
Achilis Tang
Powder Brown Tang
Purple Tang
Blue Tang
Sailfin Tang
4 small Green Chromis
Diamond Back Goby

I am thinking about a Powder Blue or Chevron Tang, can I
Or what types of fish can I put in!

Thank You Again!!

JASon

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Cheers, Jay...

My apologies if I've forgotten any previous info from another communication with you... and at the risk of seeming daft ...

... the list of tangs you have frankly horrifies me! Seriously Forget compatability issues (of which there likely will be many)... I fear/wonder if you were fairly advised (or informed yourself) of the adult sizes of all of these fishes?

The tank required to house all of these fises properly would be staggering!

Perhaps look to www.fishbase.org for a handy and accurate summary of any given fish species you seek.

As far as husbandry... do look into a good and comprehensive book like my friend Bob Fenner's Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Highly regarded in the industry.

I certainly don't mean to pass the buck... but the nature of your list/question indicates that you need much more information than can be provided in a brief e-mail.

Much to learn/enjoy... especially the 10 foot long aquarium needed to house all of those tangs

Anthony

 

[jaydog121]

SH!T!

SH!T!

So in other words i should keep it as is and not add anything. the fish are doing great as is, so maybe just keep it ......right?

 

[SurferStevo]

Uh oh!
I think I hear the tang police!

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Not my intention, or advice at all, my friend! I disagree with the tank in sum total.

I have no idea how big this aquarium is or how long it has been set up. Likely lesss than 2 years, and more likely less than one year old. The fact that they are all breathing presently and not murdering each other still does not make it safe. They simply haven't had time to mature sexually (assuming they don't stunt and die first).

I certainly don't mean to rough you up personally on the matter bud... but then again, I wonder/fear you have not heard or heeded my advice though requested. If you had at fishbase.org or any other reputable reference you would have seen that the cummulative adult size of these active swimming fishes is over 60" total! ANd these are not short lived species... I am personally aware of a 26+year old Blue (hepatus) tang... and I have read citations of several of the listed surgeons here over 30 years captive.

None at that age/success in small (under 300 gallon) private aquariums and none so poorly mixed/stocked.

To be clear, I do not agree with the unnaturally crowded mix of family members here and suggest you seperate them. Even 2-3 tangs in one tank is pushing your luck, bud.

Sure... it works for some folks, but less common, and honestly innappropriate if ethical at all. More die prematurely instead.

You wouldn't put 60" of dog in a 60" cage... it makes no more sense to me to put fishes through the same rigors.

Please take the advice proffered here from sincerity... not criticism.

Wishing you the best regards in your endeavors... and please please do research some more, my friend.

Anthony

newly appointed tang police deputy ;P

 

[SurferStevo]

I was just agreeing with your Comments Anthony (and you were very tactful in your words), others would certainly flame for much less (in a recent thread a guy put 2 (baby) hippos in a 60g - people went nuts).
I'm not sure of the tank size either, but there is a 100g listed as being in the works. Yes, I know that is still way too small for 7 adult tangs. My guess is that the tangs are probably seperated in the other smaller tanks - that's maybe why the problems are few (if any - for now at least).

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Understood and agreed Srfmon Very much so, my friend!

Frankly... it is/was the quickness of some folks/boards to flame that kept or will keep me away from participating. Admittedly... I am sensitive to it. It is too easy for some folks to forget how very green they were once. Sure... there are legitimately ignorant/lazy questions... but I'd rather error on the polite/respectful side (as you have done too... kudos!) and not flame. Most flamed questions are simplyu from very new or very young folk. Where's the glory in tearing them down?... or anybody down?

In this case... I truly believe Jay is a good chap. And I'm assuming that the stray was a combination of bad advice and his youthful age.

Lord knows we've all made impulsive choices or bad decisions early in our aquaristic careers that have cost some creatures their lives. The goal/hope is that we learn quickly from such experinces and ultimately serve the greater good by being conscientious aquarists and educating others (politely/constructively).

If we care at all about our hobby... we cannot run potential long-term aquarists (especially newbies!) out of our hobby by flaming. We need to nurture them... not only out of common coutresy and shared admiration for the trade... but for the continued support of an industry/hobby that we personally hope to contiinue to enjoy... an industry which is fundamentally supported (fiscally) by new aquarists (less than 2 years experience)

Again, thank you Srfmon... and better days to jay.

Hoping the real tang police show discipline (having faith that they will )

Kind regards to all,

Anthony

 

[lllosingit]

I went to a previous thread and found this post http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200252
It appears he has a 100 gallon reef.
His wish list will definitely need to be modified but I am not qualified in that dept

 

[jaydog121]

THANKS! for the tact

THANKS! for the tact

You all have no idea how much I appreciate all of your advice. I am new and the majority of my information has come from LFS. I understand that ignorance is not an excuse, and for that I thank you for the valuble information.

HELP ME! I want to have the right things going, and am willing to take these fish out and "free" them. Which should I remove and what is the best path of operation when choosing fish.

I also tried to go to the link provided on one of the previuos posts, but was unsuccesful. I want to learn and become more educated about aquatics and reefing. I am just trying to find a path to achieve the knowledge. Right now I dont know where to start.

Thank you all again for your input!

Jason...........learning-sorry:jester:

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Jason... very good to hear, my friend! And thank you for understanding and putting up with us old salty dogs

Stocking densities for aquaria are largely subjective... for example, an "inches of fish, per gallon of water" rule of thumb would not fairly measure the burden of ten 1" long cardinalfish versus one 10" lionfish in a thirty gallon aquarium. Both are 10" of fish length... but two very different bio-loads as you can imagine! The same holds true for active swimming fishes (even surge species like several of the tangs) which need remarkably long and high flow aquaria versus very sedentariate fishes like anglerfish. Here... a 10" anglerfish in a 4' long 120 gallon species tank could work.... yet a 10" adult Sailfin tang would be a crime.

In these gray areas hide the keys to success with stocking densities by researching a fishes history and natural behavior and biotopes. Research as much as you can about a species before buying it. I checked the fishbase.org link above and it is working for me (perhaps just a glitch that night/when you checked).

Also... do check out the thousands of pages of free content (articles, pics and FAQs) that we have archived at www.wetwebmedia.com

These are but two of the many accurate and objective (nothing to sell you) resources like this message board to tap in your searc for data.

Regarding your present state with the tangs in possession... there is some room to move regarding compromises you make with husbandry and hardware (water changes, filtration, flow, etc)... but, FWIW:

I would lose the sailfin tang for its large adult size and likely (severe) aggression in close confines as it matures. Then... I would keep only one of the remaining Zebrasoma species (purple, yellow, scopas) as mixing within the same genus is tempting fate/aggression down the road again. The scopas gets my vote for slow growth, usually gentle nature... and absolutel under-rated beauty as an adult (jet black). For a second tang... keep one of the remaining non-Zebrasoma species... with Achilles and the Powder Browns being more difficult to keep than the hepatus Blue. Too bad the Blue gets so large. A choice to make here.

For remaining tank mates... there are many wonderful choices of colorful hardy fishes that stay medium sized (say under 6" as adults). Metallic blue hamlets, multicolored wrasses, fantastic dwarf angel species, etc.

Best regards,

Anthony