How many Tangs is too many?

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todd williams

New member
A local reefer tore down his tank and sold his fish to my LFS. They are beautiful specimens that clearly were lovingly cared for and have been raised in aquariums. Great colour and nice and plump. I purchased a copperband butterfly yesterday and added him to my reef. The only fish that seemed to care was my yellow tang. He gave the new fish a rough first night. Things seem better today as both fish are ignoring each other but the butterfly is shying in the corner.

My question is this. There is also a gorgeous brown tang with awesome colour available. I am nervous to add him to the mix. My tank is a 7' 220 gallon with lots of room and only 8 fish. I already have a blue tang and the yellow. They get along fine. All three would be approximately the same size. Is three too many?

My current fish are Yellow tang, blue tang, square spot anthias, orange anthias, two spot gobie, a mated pair of perculas and a skunk clown.

Grateful for any thoughts or opinions.
 
I've seen 5 Tangs live happily in a 6' 210 gallon reef. It just comes down to the type of Tangs and if they are compatible. The common rule of thumb is to avoid mixing body styles such as a yellow tang and a scopas tang, but I believe there is a more scientific way according to their Latin surname. Also the temperament of the current tang in the aquarium plays a big role. I added a purple tang to my tank that came from another hobbyist. It killed a powder blue in his tank. I was worrie that it may hurt my Tomini tang but figured I have another tank without a tang I can separate if needed. The Tomini which was 1/3 of the size and the established fish was the dominant one and still is. The purple follows him around. It's quite funny to watch.
 
Do you mean Acanthurus japonicus? If so, I think it would be a fine addition to your tank.

I'd still watch the YT with the CBB. CBB are very difficult to keep long term, and an aggressive YT won't help. Is it eating?
 
Yes it is a Acanthurus japonicus. A real beauty.

CBB is not eating yet. I am watching him and will try to offer mysis today. It was eating at the LFS and was in fine health when I bought him. It was eating mysis. It has not been 24hrs yet. It apparantly ate Aiptaisia at its former home. My tank has seen a small explosion of Aiptasia lately. Hoping it will acclimate and get to work on it.

The BT is such a beauty that I don't want to let it go.
 
Last edited:
SDguy said:
I'd still watch the YT with the CBB. CBB are very difficult to keep long term, and an aggressive YT won't help. Is it eating?
Click to expand...

I 2nd that. My YTs always have hassled a CBB and I've tried 4 or 5 times with no long term success. As far as max amt of Tangs, I'm at 10 currently along with several other fish and they cohabit nicely. I've found in my experience, new Tangs added have to be at least 4-5" in size to do well, otherwise the established ones bully the new guy.
 
I bought the Brown tang and added him to the mix. Seems he remembered the CBB as they both came from the same reefer's tank. They hung out together immediately and kept the YT at bay until night time. Once the lights went out the YT began to harrass them and this went on all night. Both the new fish are eating well. I will have to watch the YT. I will keep everyone well fed for the next few days to see if that helps. I may have to remove YT if it does not ease up on the new guys. The YT is the only problem. The CBB even picked a few Aiptasia yesterday. Hopefully this will sort itself out on its own.

Thanks for the thoughts
 
I have 3 yellows , a purple, a scopas, a two barred rabbitfish, kole tang and two copperband butterflys , they have all been together for years now and all are fine. They get into their "im the boss " once and awhile but it lasts 1 second and they are fine again.
 
tunicateperson said:
I think you could fit 5 tangs in a 220 gallon with room to spare, however, watch their compatability.
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Given that you asked whether you could have a yellow tang in your 29 gallon cube in one of your earlier postings, this advice is a bit off the wall.
 
snorvich said:
Given that you asked whether you could have a yellow tang OR TWO in your 29 gallon cube in one of your earlier postings, this advice is a bit off the wall.
Click to expand...

Just saying.

To the OP, all fish are different. If the fish were in the same system I would think the odds are much better than randomly selecting fish. How large is the yellow tang?
 
I think that these fish will get along. The YT is the most aggressive of the bunch. However, the powder brown is slightly bigger. Certainly heavier. He is not shying away from the YT. It approaches, makes a aggressive display and then swims away. Turns around and then repeats. All of my tangs are about 4 1/2" in size. My naso tang could care less about any other fish. All are eating and the aggressive displays are declining. None show any signs of damage from fighting so far.
I have a good feeling that all will be ok. It is funny how the powder brown and the CBB hang out together. As they both came from the same reef tank. I have never observed that kind of behavior before with fish. They definitely appear to be watching each others back. The brown comes over if the YT approaches the CBB and gets in between. Fun to watch

I am sure glad I bought the Powder brown. What a gorgeous fish.

Thanks again for your thoughts
 
For your CBB, my buddy got one that wouldn't eat, which is a common problem with these fish when first aquired. He had to offer fresh finely chopped clam to it at first to get it eating. After about a month it began eating a regular diet. 18 months later is hilarious to watch the fish when he is around. It comes out and mirrors his every move, but won't do this for anyone else,not even his wife. It kind of bonded to him because he practically hand fed it for a good month. Spoil him and he will start eating:rolleye1:
 
You failed to mention the naso in your first post. I'd say you are full, tang-wise, at this point.
 
Peter. Yes you are right. I forgot all about the naso in the original post. He looks so different from the other fish I don't think of him as a tang. Bought him to eat bubble algae but he never touched the stuff. I kept it because it is pleasant. But he is of course. So it is four tangs in my 220g tank. That is enough for sure.
In fact I think I am pretty much full for fish unless I see something small and colourful to add. I have enough for now.
 
I have 5 tangs in my 180 mixed reef a yellow, chevron, blue line, hippo,and a lavender and they are really happy and doing great they all hangout together
 
I have one yellow tang, vlamingi, yellow belly regal tang, convict in my 60gallon tank. The yellow is the boss and the others are shy because the last fish fighting with the yellow tang, a powder blue two inches larger than the yellow, was killed.
 
Peter

I agree about the small ones. I recently made a terrible mistake by buying before I researched. I was looking for small schooling fish and was sold 6 yellow stripe anthias (Evans) by the fish manager of a LFS. He made no mention of the fact that they were very picky eaters and generally difficult to keep. I tried everything to get them to eat. Finally got them to eat some live brine only. By then it was too late. All 6 starved and died. The manager's response " Gee, they were all eating here". BS. BS. BS. I tried what he said they were eating. They never touched the stuff. I will never purchase anything from them again. That was the last $240 of my money they will ever see. ..... but then I digress.

Progress report: The PBT and the YT have claimed they respective territories and are otherwise leaving each other alone. Saw the PBT allow a blood shrimp to hop aboard for a clean. It had a few tiny white spots yesterday I attributed to the stress of moving. They are gone today and he looks great.

All is well in my 7' money jar.

Todd
 
Very sorry to hear about the evansi - not surprising of an outcome. But there are still plenty of hardy options out there :)
 
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