Naso Tang Next tank mate.

[wattsupdoc]

I have about a 5in Blonde Naso in my 135 FOWLR. I tried a powder brown with him, but he wouldnt tolerate it. There was a long stint of aggression that while it wasnt too bad did lead to the fish's demise. So I wanna add another tang, I just am not sure which I should consider for the next addition. If he will except any others at all.

My current stock/equip. in this tank.

135 oceanic RR
29 gal refugium, DSB,cheato R.Rubble
Backpack skimmer
2 modded maijet 1200's
Rena filstar 3 canister filter.

1 Longnose butterfly
1 blonde naso tang.
1blackcap basslet
1 Banded Bullet Goby
2 Bangaii Cardinals(breeding)
Various clean u8p crew,

Tangs I like
Bowder Brown, and Blue
Clown and sohal
Hippo
Mimic,(Acanthurus pyroferus)
Orange shoulder
Tennant
Purple Tang
Sailfin Desdarjini

Prefferably one or even two that I could add and not cause any detrimental trouble to the Naso, He is my favorite fish, and if I have to stick withn just him for tangs I will. I'm thinking if I add two that are somewhat smaller but maybe a little more aggressve it might work. Would preffer the hippo and the powder blue. But I dont know if that tactic is even doable. Also any other tactic I might try to make it work.
Your help is much appreciated.

 

[LisaD]

I'd suggest you add a mimic tang. They stay reasonable sized and IME are not aggressive. I think I'd leave it at that for tangs in that sized tank. You might actually find the tank to be getting cramped for the Naso when as it grows up. If you want another fish, consider a smaller angel, or maybe a couple dwarf angels.I think I'd leave it at that for tangs in that sized tank.

 

[thor32766]

how about a bristletooth of some kind?? like a kole, tomini or chevron?

 

[johno4]

your best bet for a tang would be one with a dissimilar body shape. on your list that would be the purple or sailfin.

 

[wattsupdoc]

Do you believe that the Naso will accept the Mimic? I understand what I'm asking there. I realize you cant garauntee that, and I'm not asking for that. How about a purple, I understand they can get nasty mean.:eek2: I plan on a flame angel and a few more(forgot to list them) green chromis. Two tangs is sufficient. I understand about the tank size with the naso, I'm hoping that when we add the den on in a couple years, I get to do a larger built in. Like a 300 or something. I like the depth. I would really like the purple if it's likely they will all get along. Does that sound likely?
Also, I would gladly replace the next tang with a Niger Triger, I havent started the research on the NT yet. Not really anyway. So...Would the NT fit in with this group of fish? I have read where they are considered probaly the least aggressive of all triggers. Just a thought. I really love my current fish and dont want any undue stress on them. As well as the FA and additional chromis need to fit.
Thank you!

 

[LisaD]

I would think chances are pretty good that the Naso would accept a mimic. Their body shape, color and swimming styles are different. I avoid purples due to their temperament, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't work out in your case.

Ideally, you'd add the mimic first. Since you already have the Naso in the tank, I'd add the next tang, whatever you choose, after feeding and with lights out. if the Naso causes trouble, give them some time to work it out. if time doesn't help, see if you can net out the Naso and put it in a bucket for a while, while you rearrange the aquascape a bit. this has worked with me to get territorial bullies to accept new, less aggressive fish.

I have a niger trigger, and it is a really sweet fish, lots of personality, and beautiful. It's still small (about three inches) and triggers can change their attitude with age and size. one thing about nigers though, they do get big. if you don't eventually get the upgrade, you might need to find a new home for the niger. other mellow triggers to consider - Hawaiian pinktail, Indian, blue throat. All of these stay pretty reasonable in size and have generally nice personalities in a community tank.

 

[LisaD]

one other thought, you may want to upgrade your skimmer to something like a Remora Pro or something even more effective in the sump. I don't think a BakPak is going to do it for that sized tank with the bioload you already have on it (not to mention additions).

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

My vote is for a purple tang. Different genus then the naso, way different shape and color (especially compared to a powder brown and naso) and they can hold their own quite well. Salfin will get too big for that tank, as will the naso, but the purple you could have in there for life.

 

[wattsupdoc]

What about the tennant? I'm really thinking about that. The backpack skimmer is the dual one and it's on steriods.:rollface:
I empty both cups about every three days. Theyre usaully pretty full. Really dark skimmate too. I built the refugium so it lives in there. It's still a HOB, but just down below out of site.

 

[wattsupdoc]

OK, I'm not really finding much on the Indian Trigger. So far any photos I have found, the fish has not been really attractive. I did find one pic that it did look attractive in. But I believe that pic to have been photoshoped or something. Also, I'm not finding much info on Melichthys indicus I would like to find more info, maybe some pics. If anybody can lend a hand. Does anyone on here have the Indian Trigger?

Also still researching the tennant tang. If anybody can help out with that guy.

I have appreciated all the "unbiased" help so far. My other message board I have belonged to for a couple years now, can be very opinionated on this subject. Almost to the point where "nobody but me" should have Tangs. I do try to be a very conceitious aquarist. Provide as optimal an environment as I can for my little buddies. But, as I'm in this expensive hobby, I want to get from it the things that I love. With some exceptions.

 

[LisaD]

Liveaquaria.com Diver's Den had one recently, now it's gone. Indian trigger is similar to the Hawaiian durgon, but stays smaller, less than a foot. I had one, think it is very attractive. This image is similar to the one I had. Contrast is a little high, but mine really did have those markings:

not all look like that, but mine did.

this is a more typical looking one.

Care and temperament is just like M niger and M vidua. The advantage of M indicus is that it stays at 10 inches max, and has all the benefits of the bigger Melichthys triggers.

 

[THC(kb)3.5]

I would go with a decent sized purple or hippo tang....purples can hold there own and are completely different body shapes and colors...hippo tangs usually mind there own business as far as tangs go but i have seen some nasty ones(but usually naso are pretty relax with other tangs...but obvisiously he is the first one in so he has more dominance.Also a healthy sizable Powder Blue should be fine and they are pretty aggressive as far as tang go and should be fine with a naso.....i love naso tangs and think they are gorgeous,but they get so big.....even to big for your 135......also i would not mix a hippo(regal,blue) with a powder blue.....could lead to fighting and stress and well u know......death~

 

[wattsupdoc]

Thank you for you gentle aproach on tank size. I appreciate it. I was thinking about the hippo too. The tennant is probably out, I just cant find enough info on them. The indian trigger is also out, I showed a picture of it to my wife. She said "what an ugly fish". I thought it was very cool. I do really like the hippo and so does my son. I was kinda thinking about a little larger one than the naso. The D Sailfin is still in, but I'm not real big on those, yet.

Soooo, does the plan with the hippo sound like a pretty good plan?

Thank you all.

 

[wattsupdoc]

OK, I got a 4-6in Blue hippo coming. Heres my plan......
After the Hippos' 3 weekish stay in the hypoed DT. He'll go in a bucket while I catch and place the Naso in the QT. For a short stay, until Dori (I know I hate it too, waddya gonna do with kids?) gets settled in,maybe a few days, maybe a couple weeks. Then Mr. Naso gets to go back home. I know I may be dealing with some initial aggression whatever I do. So if it gets too bad, I'll do some re- aqua scaping.

Sound like a doable deal?