Powder Blue and Purple Tang First in Tank?

[Macimage]

I have had my fish for over 10 years. Unfortunately, I had to break down my 225 a few months ago as the bottom cracked. The good news is that my husband fixed my tank and I've replumbed/fixed everything that I wanted to do. I have already put my huge female maroon clown fish back in the 225 along with her rtba's and a few corals from my 180.

Now on to my question. My powder blue and purple tang have been in my 50 gallon qt tank for several months. I really want to get them back into the 225, however, I know that it would be best if they were added last.

I would like to restock the 225 with anthias, a regal angel, a ruby red dragonette, and maybe some butterflies and/or angels. I will not be adding any other tangs.

The question is will the tangs bother any of the fish listed above? I am planning on adding several of the fish to the 225 at the same time so no one fish would be added on it's own.

Thanks for any insight!
Joyce

 

[Rea17]

Ime the powder blue is the more likely of the two to indiscriminately harass new arrivals, while the purple tang will channel his aggression towards new tangs, especially Zebrasoma. I have a very mellow powder blue that doesn't blink at any new fish - tang or not, but every fish is different and pbs are known for that kind of behavior. If it was me, I would try to get other larger sensitive fish in first (regal angel, butterflies), so they can get established. Adding things like anthias after the tangs wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Marshall O]

I have a Powder Brown Tang (similar temperament). I use an acclimation box for all new additions, but I usually still have to put a mirror on the side of the tank to distract it. It works like a charm though, and haven't had any issues with any new guys.

 

[Macimage]

Ime the powder blue is the more likely of the two to indiscriminately harass new arrivals, while the purple tang will channel his aggression towards new tangs, especially Zebrasoma. I have a very mellow powder blue that doesn't blink at any new fish - tang or not, but every fish is different and pbs are known for that kind of behavior. If it was me, I would try to get other larger sensitive fish in first (regal angel, butterflies), so they can get established. Adding things like anthias after the tangs wouldn't be an issue.

Yes, I would prefer to add the angels and/or butterflies first but I need my 50 gallon qt tank back. I also know it's not large enough for these two fish to be happy in and I need to get them moved.

I have a Powder Brown Tang (similar temperament). I use an acclimation box for all new additions, but I usually still have to put a mirror on the side of the tank to distract it. It works like a charm though, and haven't had any issues with any new guys.

I was going to try the mirror trick for sure.

Of the two if there was any aggression, it would be from the pbt as he is the boss over the purple.

I was thinking of using my 50 and 29 gallon qt tanks for the butterflies and/or angels and then adding them all at once to the 225 to disperse the aggression.

I am not worried about the anthias additions.

Thanks!
Joyce

 

[Macimage]

I did put the pbt and the purple back into the 225 tonight. They are swimming the length of the tank and look so much happier, really they do. The 50 gallon qt was only 36" long and the pbt was trying to swim but had nowhere to go and the purple was hiding behind a rock most of the time.

Now they are both out swimming the length of the tank in and out of the rockwork and look great.

So I will cross the next bridge of adding my new fish once I find them and get them through qt.

Thank you to all that replied.
Joyce

 

[campos]

I did put the pbt and the purple back into the 225 tonight. They are swimming the length of the tank and look so much happier, really they do. The 50 gallon qt was only 36" long and the pbt was trying to swim but had nowhere to go and the purple was hiding behind a rock most of the time.

Now they are both out swimming the length of the tank in and out of the rockwork and look great.

So I will cross the next bridge of adding my new fish once I find them and get them through qt.

Thank you to all that replied.
Joyce

mine did the same. Purple and PB both came from a 110 gallon to a 8ft 240 gallon and boy did they seem happy. They too were swimming the length of the tank for a least a week if not 2. It's so sad to see these beautiful fish that love to swim confined to these little tanks that people put them in.

 

[Macimage]

mine did the same. Purple and PB both came from a 110 gallon to a 8ft 240 gallon and boy did they seem happy. They too were swimming the length of the tank for a least a week if not 2. It's so sad to see these beautiful fish that love to swim confined to these little tanks that people put them in.

Yes, mine have been in my 225 since I set it up in 2001.

Then on May 17th of this year we had to empty the 225 as it had a leak on the bottom.

They were only in the 50 gallon for two months while we repaired the 225.

I would have preferred to add them back into the 225 last but I know it's best for them to be back in their larger tank.