Keeping fish in pairs and groups

[OrionN]

Zebrasoma scopas: 3.
Zebrasoma flavescens: 2.

My specimens chased and threatened each other a bit during the first week(s), especially in the evenings (over sleeping places, it seemed). Adding all specimens at the same time should help reduce aggression, otherwise try placing a new arrival in a cage for a few weeks until the others get used to it.

My tank is a 55gal, with lots of swimming space and just a little live rock. The fish were about 3" long when I bought them (juveniles) and died of ich the same year, so I can't say how they'd behave long term.

All 5 tangs sardined in a 55 gal tank. There will never be any long term out come in this type of situation.

 

[LesMelling]

Zebrasoma scopas: 3.
Zebrasoma flavescens: 2.

My specimens chased and threatened each other a bit during the first week(s), especially in the evenings (over sleeping places, it seemed). Adding all specimens at the same time should help reduce aggression, otherwise try placing a new arrival in a cage for a few weeks until the others get used to it.

My tank is a 55gal, with lots of swimming space and just a little live rock. The fish were about 3" long when I bought them (juveniles) and died of ich the same year, so I can't say how they'd behave long term.

"died of itch"
No surprise there then.

 

[OrionN]

This thread is about how and what species we can get to spawn in our aquarium. It is not about many fish of the same species we can cramp together and not have them dead in 10 minutes.

 

[Christian J]

55 gallon is way too small for 5 tangs, so the deaths of them may have been stress induced with Cryptocaryon just being another symptom rather than the primary problem.

No, I only kept 2-3 at the time, and they were still small. I saw no signs of stress after the first few weeks, and no serious fighting or fin damage. The ich appeared after another poorly quarantined fish (a goby) was introduced.

Zebrasoma tangs are probably the best for pairing attempts.

It might depend on the species. In the Red Sea I've only seen adult Z. desjardini in pairs, while 8" adolescents were always single. I've never seen 3" juveniles. In contrast, 4-5" large Z. scopas seemed to forage in groups of 2-4, if I recall correctly.

But I would not try it in anything less than a 125 gallon tank, ideally much larger.

I'd say it depends on the size. Adult Z. desjardini can grow up to 16" (and equally tall), so even a 125 gallon tank might be too small. Wether they ever reach that size in private aquariums is another issue, I don't think I've ever seen one that big except in nature.

 

[Christian J]

This thread is about how and what species we can get to spawn in our aquarium.

No, the thread start says: "These ones I have two or more of, but cant ensure that they are male / female because I have not seen mating or eggs yet."

dead in 10 minutes.

Where did you get that figure from?

 

[BigBlueTang]

No, the thread start says: "These ones I have two or more of, but cant ensure that they are male / female because I have not seen mating or eggs yet."


Where did you get that figure from?

Personally, a 55g is WAY too small for one tang. You had 3 in there at once? This stuff makes me mad. No wonder they all died.. We will probably never see mating behavior in all but the largest of tanks for tangs. They are just too active. Please read up on fish before you buy them.

 

[Christian J]

My tank is a 55gal

Oops, seems I got the liter-gallon conversion wrong. The correct figure is 300l (glass volume), which is closer to 80 gallons.

I agree that 200l might be a bit too small for three Zebrasomas in their usual shipping size. It's still worth trying though --experimenting is the only way to learn new things. If the fish become too large or aggressive you can always remove them.

 

[Christian J]

Personally, a 55g is WAY too small for one tang.

That depends a lot both on the species and specimen size. In fact Fosså/Nilsen suggest only 40 gallons as the minimum tank size for Z. desjardinii in their 1990 book (probably just a single specimen).

They are just too active.

The Zebrasoma species I've tried (desjardinii, flavescens, scopas) rather graze calmly on the rockwork than swim around in the open water. Other genera like Acanthurus are probably much more restless.

 

[OrionN]

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[MrsBugmaster]

Just came across this thread and it is just what I was looking for. I am in the process of redoing my 180 FOWLR tank and was going to go with mostly all pair's of fish. Love this idea! I was looking at trying to pair Majestic Angles for one. Anyone have success with this fish or any tips? I really like the Majestic but not sure how easy they are to pair or how good of a mix it would be. Never had one before but they are one of my favorites.

For sure a pair of c. interruptus (already have a large 4" male in QT right now, eating everything I put in there like a pig, and waiting to find a juvenile one to add with it)

Have 2 very small baby Mocha Clowns in a grow out tank I was thinking of adding when they are bigger.

For yellow color I am thinking of one of the following pair:
Goldflake Angles
Flagfins Angles
Goldflake/flagfin hybrid
Semilarvatus Butterflyfish

Not sure what else I will be adding at this point, but the rest will be smaller fish like gobies, mandarin pair, maybe Anthias and such.

 

[Dmorty217]

For the angels you need to get smaller ones than what you currently have or juveniles if possible to help with pairing.