I am thinking of adding a Blue Tang, any advice?

[Chelo's Big Sis]

I am thinking of adding a Blue Tang. Does anyone have any advice to give me?? I am a basic level reefer, so I'm not looking to get a fish that requires a bunch of special care. and I don't really want to spend alot of money. I currently have a Pajama Cardnal, Watchman gobi, and 1 nemo (I wouldn't mind having another one, but not sure if it would be a problem). I also have crabs, and snails. I do have some soft corals. Any advise? I think my tank needs some color, so I thought it would be a good choice. Oh, my tank is a 55gal. (I think. It was my brothers and I inherited it).
Thanks for reading my post.
Cindy

 

[Dtip]

Just as a warning: many people say that a 55gal (or, more specifically, any 4 foot long tank) is a little cramped for most any tang, at least by the time it hits adult size. It's a pretty controversial subject, so just warning you that it's out there and its worth at least considering the various opinions on the subject. There is also more than one species of blue: the popular "hippo" or regal blue in particular is actually on the larger end of size when it hits adulthood, and so even more problematic in that sense.

I've also heard that most blue tangs (and tangs in general) are more susceptible to skin diseases/parasites than other hardier fish: that doesn't make it a "special care" fish by any means, but that's also something to be aware of depending on what equipment/experience you have for/with treating such diseases if they do occur. The 3 fish you already have are all pretty hardy against things like ich compared to tangs (don't even get me started on places like PetCo, which sell yellow tangs left and right that have very visible and obvious ich infestations).

That said, if you can meet their needs, they really are great fish to keep.

 

[CleveYank]

Atlantic blue tang?
Not a good idea...I think they grow pretty fast if memory serves.

You mean Morpho tang...in a 55 if it's small that will do for a while.
But think of a 75 to 150 in your future as it gets bigger.

 

[itZme]

Cindy, If I were you I would look into a couple more pajama cardinals (I have 3 and they sometimes school and it looks neat) and maybe a mate for your clownfish. According to what I have read, the clownfish will turn female if there is only one of them in the tank for a couple months. You can buy a small juvenile and it should transform from sexless to male for you so you end up with a pair and they won't fight each other. If you buy an older clown it could possiby be a female already and they will fight. (possibly to the death)
If you would really like a tang try to stick to the smaller ones. I like the looks of the tomini tang. They only get to around 5" in the aquarium and are neat to look at.

How's Scott doing? Did he stay in the US or get shipped out? I got some of his fish/corals and they are doing good.

-- Kevin

 

[Chelo's Big Sis]

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks for all of the info. I'm glad I got some different opinions. I want to add more color to my tank, but I don't want to make a bad purchase and end up with a headache.

Thanks again.
Cindy

 

[kyelr]

My advice, find a good, honest, lfs or two... Check out what they keep in stock, explore your options, do research on RC - ask questions... you have some limitations with a 55g tank, but plenty of fantastic fish come in small packages...

 

[Chelo's Big Sis]

thanks.