Powder Blue or Yellow tang?

[lespaul339]

I have a 150 gallon 60x24x24 tank. I'm in the process of finally restocking my tank after I lost half my fish to an ich outbreak about a year ago. All the fish I have now have gone through TTM and are cured of ich.

Current fish in my tank:

Copperband Butterfly
2-Ocellaris/Perc Hybrid Clowns
Kauderns Cardinal
Pajama Cardinal
Lawnmower Blenny

Fish I plan on adding soon:

Flame Angel
a small flasher wrasse of some sort
one or two yellow tail damsels

I also want to add a tang. It's between a yellow or powder blue. I'm just not sure about adding the powder blue to my tank. I don't want to run into aggression issues. So if I don't end up going with the powder blue I'm going to go with a yellow tang. Then I will add my splash of blue with either one or two yellow tail damsels. I had a yellow tang previously but lost it to ich along with my blue regal. This time around I only want to go with one tang.

With my fish list of current fish and intended fish purchases, am I better off sticking with a yellow tang over the powder blue based on my tank size? I just know the powder blues have a reputation for a reason. Which ever tang I go with, it is going to be the last fish I add to my tank.

 

[Pericyte]

I have both in my 150. Honestly, my powder blue is huge and I have very few problems with him. I was worried he was going to take over the tank because he was so much bigger than everyone else. Instead he got his butt kicked by my yellow tang which was half his size. Once in a while he squares off against my blonde naso (yes, I know I will need a bigger tank soon, he was about a quarter the size of the powder blue when the powder blue was added, but now is almost the same size), but other than that no troubles. I think stocking order matters, and specific fish personality.

But to answer your question, I love my yellow tang. He is always out, always interested in what I am doing, and draws the eye more than any other fish.

 

[lespaul339]

How big is your powder blue? Does it pick on or harass any of the other fish that aren't tangs?

 

[scooter31707]

IMO, PB needs at least a 180, and with your 5ft tank, I think you will be better off with the YT.

 

[Pericyte]

6-7". But no, he does not harass anyone besides my blonde naso, and even that is not very often. Most of the time their interaction is when someone tears off a chunk of algae from the algae clip and other chases, trying to steal the algae from their the first ones mouth. I would say it's a draw for now, but I'm sure my blonde naso will outgrow the powder blue soon enough.. Luckily the blonde naso is very chill, and starting to get streamers!

 

[Pericyte]

In regards to scooter31707's comment, that is probably a good point. If he does get 9", he will be a giant. I will probably be upgrading to a 240 or 300 in the next year.

 

[ace_92101]

imo, pb needs at least a 180, and with your 5ft tank, i think you will be better off with the yt.

+1.

 

[lespaul339]

IMO, PB needs at least a 180, and with your 5ft tank, I think you will be better off with the YT.

In regards to scooter31707's comment, that is probably a good point. If he does get 9", he will be a giant. I will probably be upgrading to a 240 or 300 in the next year.

That's what I was thinking but kind of needed someone else to confirm it. I know people do keep them in smaller tanks than a 180, and Live Aquaria recommends a minimum of 120 gallons, but it seems like these fish can outgrow a tank fast.

I know for sure I can do the yellow and I think that's what I'm going to end up doing. I like to plan my fish for the long term and not just for right now. I don't plan on upgrading in tank size any time soon, so I think the yellow tang it is. Thanks for all the input!

 

[scooter31707]

How about looking at the Whitetail Bristlenose Tang. Very beautiful fish and a nice fit for your tank and maybe add an yellow wrasse for the yellow color.

 

[lespaul339]

I've looked at those. They are beautiful, but I would honestly rather have the yellow tang. I loved my old yellow tang before I lost it too ich. I was actually considering the yellow wrasse for the yellow color when I was thinking about going with the powder blue.

 

[beezer06840]

I like the look of the PBT, but in my experience they tend to be more aggressive than yellow tangs, which is problematic when adding a new fish. Luckily, the PBT isn't the smartest fish, so using the mirror trick works well.
Most importantly in my experience is that the PBT seems much more suspectible to ich.
hope this helps