Moving my tangs

[Tracey2]

We have a 150g with small fish and 3 tangs, yellow, kole and powder blue. We also have a 270g with an attached 100g soft coral tank and attached 60g fuge. The 270g has angels and 4 tangs, naso, achillies, purple and hippo, the attached 100g has 1 tang orange shoulder. We have had most of our tangs for many years and they are all friendly pets.

Recently I noticed my powder blue from the 150g nipping at my elegance coral and flowerpots, I caught him and now he is sitting in the 60g fuge very unhappy. I don't think he was that happy in the 150 with the other tangs, he seemed to be outgrowing the system.

My question, I am considering moving the orange shoulder to the 150 with the yellow and kole, it would be a larger tank than she has now but I'm not sure how she would fit in in the 150 with the other tangs. The OS is my tang with the most personality, I know I will have no problem catching her, then I could give the 100g to the power blue, smaller tank than he had but he would be the only tang or I could divide the 270 with some egg crate and try the OS or the BP with those tangs, any suggestions?

I realize tangs are unpredictable but for the people with many tangs how would you do it?

Last option, sell my beautiful PB.

 

[Rea17]

What sizes are all of the tangs? That will affect my advice...

Also what are the lengths of the tanks?

 

[Tracey2]

the 270g is 6 x 3 x 2, the 150g is 6' x 18" x 27" and the 100g is 5' x 24" x ?

All of the tangs are mature medium to large but if I had to put them in order by size here it is:

Naso
Achillies
Orange Shoulder
Powder Blue
Sailfin (forgot her in original post) in 270g
Yellow
Kole
Hippo
Purple

 

[Rea17]

Ok. I would say that if the powder blue was unhappy and outgrowing the 150, being alone in the 100 wouldn't be much better (especially since it is a shorter tank). I think the 270 is the best bet, but with all of the established tangs it might be tricky to introduce him without any problems. I would fully expect that Achilles tang to give him hell. If you can introduce the PBT, but separate him with eggcrate or in an acclimation box, that would be the best option. Powder blues certainly aren't pushovers, so he might be a good last addition.

It all depends on the dynamic in the tank. If you think it can handle another medium-large tang, I say go for it. If you feel iffy about it, you might have to consider finding the powder blue another home.

Very strange to hear about a PBT nipping at corals... What do you feed/how often?

 

[Tracey2]

Thanks for your input.

I was shocked at pb nipping coral too especially because he is nice and fat and I tend to overfeed lots of variety, nori flakes mysis etc.

We plan to replace our tanks with one very large tank down the road so I don't really want to part with PB but I know he cannot wait in my 60g but he might be able to wait in the 100g. I think the 270 could handle another tang but really not sure achillies would agree.

Have you ever had an orange shoulder? Do you think he would fit in with the 150g gang?

 

[Rea17]

I haven't had the pleasure of owning one yet, but I plan to soon when my new tank goes up. I think he would do just fine with a yellow and kole. If you are looking to upgrade and consolidate your collection into one tank down the road I would definitely hang onto the PBT. I would also tend to agree he might not be worth the risk in the 270 under those circumstances. The 100g would probably be a good temporary home for him. How long are you talking before your upgrade happens?

 

[Tracey2]

We are thinking this fall for the upgrade but we need to finish a couple other projects first and then make a few decisions, acrylic or glass being the big one.

thanks for your help. You wont' regret an orange shoulder mine is personality plus.

 

[Dmorty217]

I love my orange shoulder, fat as a pig and constantly pics at rock and the glass. Mine is still very much in juvenile coloration, minus the orange shoulder. Personally I hope mine doesn't change from the juvenile coloration, since the two toned grey isn't nearly as colorful as the all yellow IMO

 

[Rea17]

Maybe I will have to look more seriously into getting one... I have a big lieutenant now and they are very similar fish, I think if they are introduced to the new tank at the same time all will be well. I love his personality too, got a feeling they will be similar in that regard too.

Tracey2, that seems like a good upgrade schedule. I think the pbt will be fine. Let us know how juggling the ost goes!

 

[Tracey2]

So I moved the orange shoulder to the Display divided with plexiglass for 2 days then release, amazingly he fits right in, no one has a big problem with him, yeah.

The powder blue is now in the 100g sump but seems stressed, maybe just due to being moved around so much, I am hoping he settles in soon.

 

[orangegoby]

my vote..... divide the 270 with some egg crate and try the OS or the BP with those tangs.

i am a believer of bigger(tank) the better for tangs. i think they love to swim.:fish1:
i used to have a pbt in a 4' 90g. He will swim to one side and stop. now i have one in the 6' 200g with islands. he swims freely without stopping from end to end.