Hippo Tang ok in a 180g?

[jenjen]

I have an established 180g. I'd like to add one more larger fish. I don't want anything yellow/orange as there's lots of that in the tank already. My preference would be a Hippo Tang, but Live Aquaria rates the min tank size as 180g which concerns me. I don't want a fish squashed into my tank, so I'd like to make sure they do fine in this size system before I commit.

Currently I have:

Foxface
Yellow Tang
Clown Fish pair
Flame Angel
Sixline Wrasse
Bangaii Cardinal pair
YWG / Pistol Shrimp

I know these fish are prone to ich and I do have a QT ready.

I've also considered a PBT but prefer the personality of the Hippo.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[DavidinGA]

Imo should be fine.

I have a 210gal and have:

Clown tang
Powder blue tang
Desjardini tang
Blonde naso tang
Kole tang
Hippo tang

(I have more fish but those are just my tangs)

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Long term, no. They need a lot of swimming room. Minimum recommended size is 240 gallons. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007

 

[jenjen]

Long term, no. They need a lot of swimming room. Minimum recommended size is 240 gallons. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007

Thanks, that list seems far more reasonable in terms of tank size. Even the Foxface looks 'big' to me in my 180g, which is what had me questioning LA. No Hippo tang for me.

So next I'm thinking PBT or Purple, but both are listed as aggressive which will probably be an issue with my Yellow. Not sure I'm willing to try - I don't want to add anything that might even try to challenge him.

 

[Beefy_Reefy]

Hippo Tang ok in a 180g?

I bet both pbt and purple would challenge him in a 180.

Never know though

 

[Dmorty217]

Fish never obtain max size in the home aquaria, with that said the bigger the tank the better is always the rule of thumb

 

[DavidinGA]

I bet both pbt and purple would challenge him in a 180.

Never know though

I had a yellow (generally the same aggressive nature as a purple) and my pbt together in my 210gal for a few days and it wasn't pretty with the yellow assaulting the pbt (the yellow was established and the pbt was new). The yellow got banished to the sump and then later sold. *If they had been introduced at the same time it might have been a different story...

 

[ca1ore]

I have successfully added a Purple Tang to a tank with a resident Yellow a few times. Key is to use an acclimation/socialization box, be prepared to put a mirror on one end of the tank for a bit, and be OK with some squabbling.

 

[DocHogan]

IMO I think you would be fine. As others suggested watch out for the aggression. I like to introduce fish right after I do large tank maintenance (big water change, cleaning the walls, pruning, etc). Just what I do not saying thats the way...

 

[CHSUB]

imo & ime, the hippo is a better choice than the PBT. ime, the PBT is one of the meanest fish i have kept.

 

[syrinx]

I would agree that the powder blue would be better in a larger tank. The hippo likely would be fine in the 180, and if for some reason he is not-trade him in. Some people like to buy show sized fish-and it is better for them to be tank raised as opposed to removing breeding size stock from the ocean. My pacific blue is 16 years old and happy in a 125.

 

[AuburnTiger1]

I would go with the PBT if you don't mind a little aggression IMO.

 

[jenjen]

Thanks again for all the input everyone!

I think we've decided to go with a Kole Tang. I've had 2 in the past, and adore their personality. It won't add the blue colour I was hoping for, but we will just have to live without that for now which is ok. Common sense has prevailed!

My yellow has been with both the Kole's I've had in the past. The first one challenged him once in a while and always came out on the 'banged up' side of things. We called that guy Grapes, cause he was a sour puss! But still did ok with the yellow. The most recent one was really small and I assume had something wrong with it. It never grew much and developed a bulged belly. I had it for 2 years, and unfortunately just lost it recently during a power outage. Everyone else survived, so I can only think this guy was simply not strong enough.

I think as long as I make sure to get a strong healthy Kole we'll be happy with our choice, and keep a more calm and appropriately sized community.

 

[hogfanreefer]

I think you made an excellent decision!

 

[wm jim]

My tangs are split right now between a 300 and a 200 gallon displays. Getting bids now on adding a 1200 gallon for the larger ones to move into. If someone asks local to me what type of tang I would like to buy from them in a year or two or three when it out grows their tank I would be happy for them to quarenteen it for a few years for me till it out grows their tank. Find some one near buy with a large tank and ask them what they would be ok with adding to their tank in a year or two and buy that for your tank while it is small. i do not really want a little tang and do not want to take adults off the reef so some one asking me ahead of time works well for both of us.