Mixing two Acanthurus Tangs?

[swegyptian]

Hey all,

Has anyone ever had say, a convict and a yellow mimic before? I am probably going to get the mimic today, but I am just curious about adding another acanthurus tang in the future. If it is a bad idea, I might get a bristletooth instead. I just want some fish to pick algae of the LR in my tank. Which ones are your favorite grazers?

Thanks,

Alex

 

[tryffin]

Convicts are supposedly much more passive than other tangs.

Personality-wise, I think <a href="http://www.meerwasser-lexikon.de/eng/5/537/Acanthurus/olivaceus.htm">Orange Shoulder</a> tangs are the best, we got one when he was < 1" (he was sold as a mimic tang, and at that size it wasn't possible to tell the difference) now 6 months later he's a good 5" ... I think he'll turn out to be a big boy. But he has a fabulous personality, quite a busy guy rearranging things in the tank lol. He's halfway through his color change (they're yellow when small) but his adult coloration should be pretty nice.

<a href="http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Acanthurus_tennenti_Kreisdorn-Doktorfisch3.jpg">Lieutenant tangs</a> are nice looking too, and not very common, if you're looking for something a bit different.

Both of these get pretty big though.

It would probably be more peaceful to not mix two very similar species, but it depends on the individuals as well. If you do add another tang later, blocking off a corner of the tank with eggcrate for a week or so is a good way to get the fish used to seeing the new addition, and the tang will just slap at the eggcrate rather than fighting with the new fish.

 

[Horizon Canopy]

i think you should be ok, but i think it might be safer to add the convict first. they school naturally in the wild, and are supposed to be one of the least agressive tangs. although personally i would get a bristletooth instead. they do great work on the rocks and don't grow as big.

 

[swegyptian]

I might just do that. I like the convict, but I maybe I should mix it up for algae control. The only thing I don't like about the bristletooth tangs is the lack of variety. If I remember correctly, I am looking at Chevron, Kole, Tomini, and one other, at least that are commonly available.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I have a convict with a Mimic and Orange Shoulder, not to mention a duessimier, naso, and vlamangi in the tank to. They all get along perfect. Now that I saw that lieutennant I think i will have to hunt one of those down. Kole tangs are also a great choice.

 

[tryffin]

Wow .... nice, that must make for quite a display!

 

[condair]

I have a Sohal and a Red Sea Purple. they do ok together but some days the Sohal just doesnt like the Purple. I have wanted a Seargent for awhile but i need a big one. any ideas on where to get one?

 

[tryffin]

You mean lieutenant? They show up at the LFSes here every couple of months for about $100. <a href="http://www.petsolutions.com/Tennenti+Tang-I-140250L-I-C-16238-C-.aspx">Pet Solutions</a> has them, but I don't know what they're like to order from.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I tink I saw one FS on marinedepot or drfostersmith

 

[tryffin]

<a href="http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1510&N=0">liveaquaria</a> has them on their site, but the picture looks weird ... they must get them from a different location or something. not nearly as good looking, imo.

 

[tryffin]

hm ... might be juv. coloration though?