Multiple tangs in a 125g

[jimnrose]

Korrine, the foxface sounds like a good alternative but I'm a 'newbie' and the foxface have a potential to nip at LPS's & polyps. I'll hold off on any additinal selection for now. Thanks, Jim

 

[Beaun]

I'm just starting a 125 gallon reef tank and am considering including three tanks (yellow, blue & blue caribean). I've read (everywhere) that a 'NO NO but I see pictures on RC of tanks with multiple tangs. If I start with young tangs and add them within a2 or 3 week time period; would that help or should I 'forget about it". Thanks, Jim

Both of the blue tangs get very large and would not be good for long term care. If you cant keep something long term then I always suggest against getting it. The yellow and two other smaller species would be fine, but the other two blues, especially the atlantic blue which gets huge and very aggressive, would not fare well long term in a 125.

 

[jimnrose]

Tyler, the Blue Tang is the one I'm worried about (long term) because it's to get 12"in size. The Altantic Blue (Blue Caribean) is the one I'm getting first which is 9" full size. Both are supposed to have a peaceful temperment but I gauess that is under healthy conditions. My 125g is 72" long but only 17" high so I should either reconsider the Blue (paracantghusrus hepatus) or realize I'll need to trade it when it gets too big. My question is how fast do they grow? Thanks, Jim

 

[john32]

I was told by the owner of a lfs that keeping Tangs in Odd numbers helps with the aggression, has anybody else heard that?

 

[jimnrose]

I remember that it's true when raising young boys (two is company,three is a crowd) and also was told that school fish (like chromis) should be kept in odd numbers; so that is a contradiction.
John,that is a good question on large fish like tangs. Everywhere it says not to have to of a kind together but when mixing different tangs should the quantity be kept in odd or even numbers. Jim

 

[Johnwayne]

i have a yellow tang and a BNT, getting a gold rimmed tommorow, its going to be a little cramped for a lil bit but it will be worth it when the 150 is set up

 

[anstine]

I have a yellow,kole,lopezi and scopas in my 135 and have not had a problem. No aggresiveness at all although I may just be lucky. I added the lopezi first, then the scopas and kole and lastly the yellow. The lopezi may need to go soon due to size.

 

[Jstdv8]

I thought the rule for tangs was give them plenty of room for swimming and hiding and dont mix tangs with the same body shape. so a yellow and a sailfin would be a bad idea for instance.

for those of you with rediculously large tanks, you don't count! LOL

 

[LifeAquatic]

The trick to having multiple Tangs is adding them at the same time. If you already have an established Tang in the tank it going to be tough. In that case the new Tang will have to be bigger then the established Tang. Otherwise you can try adding the new Tang at night or possibly move your aquascape around to confuse the established Tang.
I have a Purple tang, Blue Hippo, and Powder Blue tang in the same tank and they are all buddies. Also, If you have a small tank having multiple tangs would be on a case by case basis.

 

[LifeAquatic]

Oh yeah, Never get a Purple Tang first. Adding a new tang to an tank with an Established purple tang is bad news. In my experience the purple tangs are the most aggressive. Although I have had some pretty mean yellow tangs. Blonde Naso tangs, Blue Hippos, And powder Blues seem to play well with others.

 

[Johnwayne]

blonde naso, yellow and picking up a godrimmed in about an hour so ill post a pic, and i know my tanks small but the 150 will be in the works soon

 

[Johnwayne]

no goldrimmed got two idols instead

 

[one clownfish]

IMO you'll be fine for a long time. It's going to take years for them to go from 2" to 5". Just don't keep them in the smaller tank their whole life. They need a lot of room to swim. Good Luck

 

[atblj5]

LifeAquatic is right on. Nice call.

 

[sharky's machin]

I was told by the owner of a lfs that keeping Tangs in Odd numbers helps with the aggression, has anybody else heard that?

Tangs of the same species should be in odd numbers. Sailfin, yellow, purple, black and scopas are all zebrasoma.

 

[shackscs]

Tangs of the same species should be in odd numbers. Sailfin, yellow, purple, black and scopas are all zebrasoma.

Don't tell that to the Purple and Sailfin tangs that I have in my tank. I have had one of each for months now.

I just added a PB. Could not resist the price and condition that it was in. He is doing great in the tank with the other tangs. Now to nab a good fowlleri.

 

[westwind1124]

I have had a regal tang in mine for about 8 months and has been healthy as a horse. Its about 5 inches long and I just added an atlantic blue about a week ago and it's about 3 inches long and it WILL NOT leave my regal alone. Any insight here guys. Will this go away with time or is my regal just a big wuss and not fight back to put him in his place and the two can settle down.

 

[Firedog1962]

I have a yellow, scopus and a sailfin in a 90 and they all get along great

 

[f350power]

I have a vlamingi, sailfin, and yellow mimic tang in my 150 and they get along great.

 

[jimnrose]

I finally added a young yellow tang to my tank and started the this thread worried that it wouldn't get along with the atlantic (blue caribbean) tang. Well the yellow is the meakest fish in the tank. It gets along with the blue tang but is still shy eating flake food with the other fish. It's diet is nori and green algae. Jim