MrTuskfish
Team RC
You liked the PBT. Maybe a PBT, Purple (or yellow) and a Kole.
Mixing Tangs in a tank
- Thread starter Phastroh
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Finally thanks.
I already own a small Hippo Tang. At the time I was looking at it many many people said I needed a 6 foot tank so that is why I purchased my 220Gal because I only have a 4foot 80 gal bowfront it is in right now.
The 220gal is ready to put my other tank in so I can move them as soon as I get the new Tangs.
So basically I am down to 2 more Tangs.
It appears that the Blonde Naso Tang would not be a good idea but I have always wanted the Powder Blue.
I was always under the impression that if I purchased a small Blonde Naso(1-3inches) I would have to remove it in about 5 years. I am NOT saying this is exactly right or going to happen so please don't blast me over it.
I have made the decision to purchase these fish at the smallest size possible which seems to be on average 2 inches.
I totally get that most if not all Tangs will outgrow my tank. I am especially ****ed about the Lieutenant. The following are just combos I like and they are not ordered and nothing will be until I have enough information on what to expect and what the tank will be like 3 years from now.
My combos for 2 Tangs since I have the Hippo already
1) Powder Blue
2) Blonde Naso
1) Powder Blue
2) Lieutenant
For having 4 Tangs I would love to add a Yellow.
I heard having a Brown tang(not powder) is great for the tanks health but they are ugly to me but I am sure they think I am ugly as well.
The store near me had an Orange Shoulder Tang so small it was yellow still and like 1.5 inches long.
I just want to mention the fish sizes again, I know most will outgrow the tank is 3 years but I have no issues selling it or trading it for new smaller ones.
I already own a small Hippo Tang. At the time I was looking at it many many people said I needed a 6 foot tank so that is why I purchased my 220Gal because I only have a 4foot 80 gal bowfront it is in right now.
The 220gal is ready to put my other tank in so I can move them as soon as I get the new Tangs.
So basically I am down to 2 more Tangs.
It appears that the Blonde Naso Tang would not be a good idea but I have always wanted the Powder Blue.
I was always under the impression that if I purchased a small Blonde Naso(1-3inches) I would have to remove it in about 5 years. I am NOT saying this is exactly right or going to happen so please don't blast me over it.
I have made the decision to purchase these fish at the smallest size possible which seems to be on average 2 inches.
I totally get that most if not all Tangs will outgrow my tank. I am especially ****ed about the Lieutenant. The following are just combos I like and they are not ordered and nothing will be until I have enough information on what to expect and what the tank will be like 3 years from now.
My combos for 2 Tangs since I have the Hippo already
1) Powder Blue
2) Blonde Naso
1) Powder Blue
2) Lieutenant
For having 4 Tangs I would love to add a Yellow.
I heard having a Brown tang(not powder) is great for the tanks health but they are ugly to me but I am sure they think I am ugly as well.
The store near me had an Orange Shoulder Tang so small it was yellow still and like 1.5 inches long.
I just want to mention the fish sizes again, I know most will outgrow the tank is 3 years but I have no issues selling it or trading it for new smaller ones.
sandwi54
New member
To the OP, please don't be offended by our swords. Most people who offered opinions here are very experienced and we are all trying to help you so that you don't end up like 90% of the aquarists who buy fish that don't fit their tanks, and have countless issues down the road. We are not trying to sell you something so we will not sweet talk, but rather simply offer our honest opinions. Our words may be a little bit on the harsh side but we have no ill meanings.
I think except for the naso tang, all of the tangs you listed will happily live in your 220 gallon for the entire lifetime. i personally love powder blue the most and it does have an interesting behavior. Yellow tang is really cool as well and would swim back and forth picking on live rocks and making a nice scene in your living room. I don't have experience with lieutenant so i can't comment on that.
I think except for the naso tang, all of the tangs you listed will happily live in your 220 gallon for the entire lifetime. i personally love powder blue the most and it does have an interesting behavior. Yellow tang is really cool as well and would swim back and forth picking on live rocks and making a nice scene in your living room. I don't have experience with lieutenant so i can't comment on that.
I don't get offended I just get annoyed at the accusatory replies right off the bat.
I mean common is it really needed.
Just reply and move on and hope for the best. I do that when I reply. I just say my piece and let them make the best decision.
I will say thanks though to all the comments.
I would have to say not getting a Blonde Naso is the most disappointing news of the day.
I made a comment on how the Dr. office had a Blue Hippo in a 4 foot tank and the Tang was like 6 inches at least and my wife told me not to say anything but I felt mad so it isn't like I don't care about the fish I have or see.
I am a huge fish fan, I been to the Georgia Aquarium 3 times and the one here in Florida maybe 5 times. Having my 80gal was like a dream for me.
Yeah I was super nervous before I got my first fish but now it is simple and actually more exciting. You know setting up the first tank is great and now doing the second one was just as awesome and different.
Better tank, and better equipment this time around.
sandwi54
New member
Your 220 gallon tank is a very good large-sized tank that can house the majority of the fish sold at a LFS. Please don't be sarcastic because that doesn't help us get ideas across to you.
The LFS carry all kinds of fish, some are appropriate for your tank and some are not. There are people with large tanks (over 300 gallons) that can house large fish like naso tangs, emperor angels, etc. The LFS aim to sell the large fish to those people.
sandwi54
New member
I see your points but I still do not believe it's necessary to write comments like that. It essentially makes you "one of them," right?
We are all fish lovers and that's why we are here on this forum. If you are a true fish fan, then you should be able to understand why a blonde naso cannot live in a 220 for its entire life. There is no problem for you to get the naso right now and raise him from 4" to maybe 8-10" in your tank. However, unless you are absolutely sure that you are going to build an 8' tank for him once he gets too big, it is better to skip it. A 6' 220 gallon is a very good size tank to have and you can pretty much have most of the fish you see. Just because the tank is small for a naso it doesn't mean you can't get other fish.
i feel you man my favorite tangs are blonde naso, powder blue, Lieutenant, orange shoulder, black, achillies
now if i only had a tank that could house all of those together.
sandwi54
New member
i would say you may comfortably house all these tangs in an 8' 350 gallon tank, or better yet, 400 gallon. the naso tang is really the one dictating both the length and width of the tank. i'd say minimum is 96" x 30" and the tank should not have very dense rock work to allow the tang to turn around.
perfect 900 gallons it is lol (i wish)
i might go 400-500.
i cant now though as i got too many tanks. and already played out the ill combine them all trick 2 times
I wasn't being sarcastic, one of my favorite stores has a Blonde Naso in their 220Gal along with a few others.
That is how I first saw them.
The people at the stores were like, they are fine in here but never said forever.
I will just get what I can and be happy.
I would be perfectly fine with the Powder Blue and a Lieutenant but my wife is going to want more than just blue I suppose.
I would take the Hippo, the Powder Blue and Lieutenant for now but I wish I could switch up the colors but like those the most.
Even tossing in a Yellow would not be my first choice even IF I said screw it and got 4. There are a few others that are sweet but their tempers are not going to work.
Not saying I will get 4 because there are many other nice colorful fish out there I like as well.
Does anyone know what kind of Angels would be ok to add after the Tangs.
I have not decided if I want to ditch my corals yet or not so I would rather wait.
I have a HUGE Frog Spawn and a Huge Bubble that I really like.
sandwi54
New member
you are lucky that you have an LFS who actually cares for their fish. I haven't seen a lot of LFS who put naso tangs in a big 220 gallon. Most of them don't have a 220 gallon to begin with.
you are free to do what you want, as long as you know the consequences. you can go ahead and get the blonde naso and enjoy for a few years, but just know that down the road you will need to build a bigger tank for her. It will be hard to sell/trade large fish simply because most aquarists don't have tanks that big, so that's why people recommend that you get the fish that are appropriate for your tank size now. a lot of unexpected things happen in life and you may not build that large 500 gallons that you now think you would build, so just be absolutely sure.
i think 4 small-to-medium sized tangs are ok in a 220, provided that there are no other large fish. you must however have vigorous skimming and strong powerheads to generate water flow.
i assume you are referring to large angels. no angels are reef-safe, except for the ones from the genus genicanthus. for the 220, you should have small sized large angels. from the pomacanthus genus, majestic angel is a good choice. you can also have pretty much any angel from the chaetodontoplus genus; scribbled, personifer, blue-lined etc. regal angel is also beautiful but it's a very hard fish to keep and not for beginners.
one word of caution, if you plan on having mild-tempered angels, such as majestic or chaetodontoplus genus ones, they should go in before the powder blue. powder blue is quite aggressive and most likely would attack new additions, even though most of the time that only lasts for a few days in my experience.
wdt2000
Member
220 is a decent size tank imo.
FWIW I keep the following in my 300 with no real problems so far. The tank is also spotless as far as algae is concerned
I did have to remove a PBT because it was eating my acros. Not sure how two Acanthurus will work out. But then again my three Zebrasoma get along.
2 Naso Tangs
2 Desjardini Tangs
1 Kole
1 Scopas
Also other large fish include
3 Rabbit fish
1 Juv Emperor Angelfish
FWIW I keep the following in my 300 with no real problems so far. The tank is also spotless as far as algae is concerned
I did have to remove a PBT because it was eating my acros. Not sure how two Acanthurus will work out. But then again my three Zebrasoma get along. 2 Naso Tangs
2 Desjardini Tangs
1 Kole
1 Scopas
Also other large fish include
3 Rabbit fish
1 Juv Emperor Angelfish
carlosngloria
Active member
i would go with the tangs u want, if you get them at a nice 3" size they will be fine for a few years. The truth is none of the saltwater fish should be kept in home aquariums cause they are not the size of the ocean yet we still do it.
Toddrtrex
Premium Member
With that logic, there is no difference b/t an 4 foot tank and an 8 foot one when it comes to tangs...
carlosngloria
Active member
a 220g tank can house a 3" blonde naso for several years with no problem. most people dont even keep their tanks up long enough for the fish to out grow it.
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