How big a system for 6 powder blues?

[skraj011]

we will likely be moving and this will provide the opportunity for us to upgrade to a large system.

The idea of maintaining a small group of powder blues in intriguing to me. Could a group of them (~6) be maintained comfortably and if they could how big a system would they require?

 

[Pallobi]

an extremely large one imo... what size are you thinking about getting i believe would be a good start...

 

[gasman059]

The Ocean!

 

[skraj011]

The Ocean!

implying that there isn't a viable home aquarium size that could keep them happy?

 

[skraj011]

an extremely large one imo... what size are you thinking about getting i believe would be a good start...

600-1000 gallons?

 

[snorvich]

600-1000 gallons?

Think larger. Probably a deep 12 foot tank that is at least 36 inches high. But I am guessing here.

 

[gasman059]

implying that there isn't a viable home aquarium size that could keep them happy?

Implying that the size of aquarium needed is not a home aqaurium but a comercial one.

 

[geaux xman]

unless you are running an impeccable parasite-free system, ich will over take the tank before the fish can even have time to fight with each other.

 

[Amoore311]

There is no home tank large enough unfortunately.

Atlantis Marine World has multiples in their 20k Gallon Tank. Even with a tank that large the fish are still very aggressive, just not aggressive enough to really cause any problems.

 

[MIKE NY]

There is no home tank large enough unfortunately.

Atlantis Marine World has multiples in their 20k Gallon Tank. Even with a tank that large the fish are still very aggressive, just not aggressive enough to really cause any problems.

x2..that is the only tank where I have seen more than one

 

[MrTuskfish]

unless you are running an impeccable parasite-free system, ich will over take the tank before the fish can even have time to fight with each other.

Parasite free systems certainly aren't unusual; they should be the norm.

 

[snorvich]

Parasite free systems certainly aren't unusual; they should be the norm.

+1 For sure.

 

[nonstopfishies]

+1 For sure.

+2 Definitely.

If everyone just took a little more time and effort, they would save money and fishes lives in the longer run by having happy and healthy fish.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

With proper QT procedures, you shouldn't have ick even look at your DT as a comfy home. Most diseases are prevented by having each fish properly QT'd from the beginning. Much easier than tearing your tank down after the fact IMO and IME.

Now to the actual question. For a home aquarium, you would unlikey be able to maintain such a group of tangs. Yellow tangs and purple tangs group much better than most from what I have read in home aquariums. I would settle with just one PBT and try getting a small group of 6 yellow or purple tangs.

 

[skraj011]

oh well

 

[pacislandaqua]

2000 gallons minimum, even then, why a school? one is just as nice, and they can get big quick, so it will still be the show piece