Powder Blue with Purple Tang

[Laugh_At_Rice]

I have recently (2-3 weeks in display) introduced a powder blue into my 180g reef with good success. This specimen has fattened up and eats excellent enjoying the tank mostly to himself.

I realize this is difficult species and consider myself lucky to have gotten this far. My previous tanks were never really tang worthy size wise so I never bothered.

I would like to add a purple tang however I am not dead set on it. I feel like the sooner I add the better since the powder blue is relatively new and not to use to being by himself.

What are your experiences? What are the likelihood of aggression that results in a casualty? Should I consider a smaller specimen my PB is approximately 5" or should I size match?

Thanks!

 

[MIKE NY]

IMO I wouldn't.. you'll have a problem...although some PBTs are more aggressive than others I think there will be territorial aggression with another tang. I would remove the PBT and then add the Purple of simular size then re-introduce the PBT in a week or two. Hopefully they will be compatable after that. I have had my PBT for about 13-14 years now maybe longer...LOL and I have to do this with every new fish I add. Even doing so I still can't keep another tang.

 

[Dmorty217]

I had 2 purples and 2 powder blues in my 180. All were added at the same time, the purples were fine with each other the blues were not. If you have a big blue and a small purple or big purple and a small blue it can be done provided you have plenty of live rock and hiding spots.

 

[betamed]

I have both in my 300g. they don't love each other but its an even match so most of the time they get along good. Both about the same size added at the same time

 

[humaguy]

I had 2 purples and 2 powder blues in my 180. All were added at the same time, the purples were fine with each other the blues were not. If you have a big blue and a small purple or big purple and a small blue it can be done provided you have plenty of live rock and hiding spots.

tank was barely big enough for 1 pbt....pbt can be very aggressive when healthy... saw one take out a smallish clown trigger...please be careful, read and ask questions...

 

[Laugh_At_Rice]

I was thinking the purple tang would match the aggression well I didn't really PBT can be so nasty. I guess if I'm going to do the sooner the better before the PBT gets to accustomed to owning the tanks.

Any suggestions on a better tang to put with a PBT.

 

[ghostman]

I have both in a 240g cube, but I realize it is not recommended. I've read of some Purple tangs being aggressive, and have never encountered one. All of my PBT over the years have been aggressive towards any new additions regardless of size, shape, or color. My current PBT just had a fit when I added a mandarin. I'm not sure any other tang would work

 

[reeferstace]

Any suggestions on a better tang to put with a PBT.

You are likely going to encounter problems adding any tang to an established PBT.

 

[SDguy]

I had the opposite experience of most others here. I added a tiny purple tang to an established (year PBT). No problems. The purple quickly outgrew the PBT in less than a year, and became VERY aggressive. I removed the purple tang.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I think this is a typical "its the individual fish question". Maybe no problems, maybe some pecking order stuff, then they're fin, maybe a war resulting in the death of one. I've seen all of these scenarios in a 240 and I wouldn't do it unless I had an easy "Plan B".
FWIW, I don't think a PBT is a difficult fish at all. It needs room and a good QT routine. Most of the PBT problems on our forum seem to come from small tanks, poor choice of tankmates, or (especially) not quarantining for at least 6 weeks.

 

[dsmith3512]

I had both in my 180g, the purple was first and slightly larger. They chased each other a little, the purple held his own. After a week they settled down. Make sure the rocks have caves and open channels to escape into. They were together for a couple years.

 

[vaporized]

I agree w/ mrtuskfish.

 

[Laugh_At_Rice]

Thank for all the insight. I do quarantine all fish with prophylactic treatment. I think I will making an attempt with the PT. Always making sure I can pull him back out if need be. I also am planning the mirror trick if need be.

 

[Triggerfish]

i kept a pbt for about a year in a 125,, super healthy great fish..however it began to bully other fish to the point that i ended up removing it. too bad as that fish was awesome looking..
good luck..