Purple And Yellow Tang compatibility

[Toddrtrex]

Problem is that you believe your opinion is fact and some how scientific when it's just your beliefs and opinions on how you want to run your tank. You also seem to like to talk down to people. I've already stated that everything I've said and recommend is just my opinion. To each their own.

I have to agree completely, and really don't see the point in engaging someone who does talk down like that.

 

[nsmith_mma]

Problem is that you believe your opinion is fact and some how scientific when it's just your beliefs and opinions on how you want to run your tank. You also seem to like to talk down to people. I've already stated that everything I've said and recommend is just my opinion. To each their own.

It is not my opinion that shelter/ adequate environment is only one need for a living organism. That is fact. It is also fact that we neglect many other needs of a fish just by putting it into an aquarium. Another fact? You want one? Growth is only one component of an organism's health. These things are commonly accepted facts in biological studies. But nevermind me. What do I know about biology? I'm just a biology major, after all.

These are not opinions. They are facts. And I'm sorry if I seem like I'm talking down to people, but when I have to explain things multiple times and you still jump to the wrong conclusion without trying to understand, then that warrants being talked down to.

 

[jason2459]

.... then that warrants being talked down to.

All that needs to be said. I'll just leave it at that, thanks.

 

[nsmith_mma]

Well what did you expect? If you had asked me to clarify while demonstrating a propensity to actively try and understand my perspective, then that's one thing. But all you guys did was put words in my mouth, accuse me of making claims I didn't make, and then discredit my provided argument as opinion rather than fact which is a misrepresentation. I have put forth a consistent, logically valid argument. And in return, I received logical fallacy after logical fallacy not to mention total disrespect at points in this thread. So when I have you on an argument, and there is no denying that my base is stronger than yours, nothing is left to do but agree to disagree because you aren't going to prove me wrong and I'm not going to convince you I'm right. I even said that we should agree to disagree a few posts ago, but did you listen to that? No. You pressed on. So if you are being talked down to right now, it is because you spend half your time reading without logic and half your time not reading at all.

Thank you to anyone in this thread who disagreed with me intelligently.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

Well what did you expect? If you had asked me to clarify while demonstrating a propensity to actively try and understand my perspective, then that's one thing. But all you guys did was put words in my mouth, accuse me of making claims I didn't make, and then discredit my provided argument as opinion rather than fact which is a misrepresentation. I have put forth a consistent, logically valid argument. And in return, I received logical fallacy after logical fallacy not to mention total disrespect at points in this thread. So when I have you on an argument, and there is no denying that my base is stronger than yours, nothing is left to do but agree to disagree because you aren't going to prove me wrong and I'm not going to convince you I'm right. I even said that we should agree to disagree a few posts ago, but did you listen to that? No. You pressed on. So if you are being talked down to right now, it is because you spend half your time reading without logic and half your time not reading at all.

Thank you to anyone in this thread who disagreed with me intelligently.

So what all do you have in your 90 gallon? I'm sure having the luxury of knowing an expert helps to create a well balanced stocking list that will thrive for years to come.

 

[nsmith_mma]

My 90 is under construction but will include 3 tangs, all introduced at the same time. I will have a purple and yellow for sure. The other tang will be either a powder blue or a blue hippo. My heart wants a powder blue, but my brain is torn on which one it wants. On one hand, I would think a powder blue would make sense because the tank fits its needs better than it would a blue hippo. On the other hand, blue hippos are much more peaceful community fish than powder blues which can be quite aggressive. What will likely happen is that I will try out a powder blue then replace him with a blue hippo if aggression becomes an issue. If I have to do this, I will remove all tangs, QT them together, then reintroduce them to the tank simultaneously.

Other than that, I will probably have a pair of clowns, a flame and/or coral beauty angel, and various smaller fish including wrasse, blennies, gobies, etc. I will base my decisions on the smaller fish on the available space in the aquarium. I am planning on doing fairly minimal aquascaping so as to create ample swimming room, but not so minimal as to eliminate shelter. Corals will likely be mostly SPS.

I am going to be running the tank on a 30 gallon sump/ with refugium. I may add a second small aquarium to this setup for additional rock. My skimmer is a Vertex IN-180, and I have an OTP return pump. My lighting is a 6 blub T-5 fixture and I have a 48" LED strip (all blue) for supplemental lighting. I will be using BRS Pukani and Reef Saver rock which I am currently curing in rubbermaid containers with lanthanum chloride to remove phosphates. But as for now, the tank is not up yet. I have everything I need except I have not yet sectioned off my sump or stained my DIY stand. So once those things are done, I'm in business.

So that said, this is going to be the first "large" reef I have had. I've had a 30 gallon reef and an 80 gallon FOWLR in the past, but I am a big-time student of the game. I take every chance I have to ask other reefers about their personal experiences, and also consider available general information as well believe it or not. So essentially, I have all of the theory nailed down and now I'm getting ready to apply it. I really can't wait. I haven't had a tank since I got married a couple of years ago and man do I miss the hobby. I am a reef nerd for life, I'm afraid.

 

[Daniel Reef]

The yellow is in the lower left corner of the pic. That tank is a 72.

Thanks. I didn't notice the Yellow. Sounds like you have 3 tangs in your 72g. How long have you had them together?

 

[Daniel Reef]

I really admire your analytical approach to this topic. Well done.

And yes, I would say that stunted growth is not ideal, but is not by itself necessarily a sign of poor health. Now obviously, there is a certain amount of discretion that should go into selecting tank inhabitants. I wouldn't reccomend putting a unicorn tang into a 90 gallon tank. But a powder blue? A purple? A yellow? I would say all of these could be kept in a 90 pretty easily. I have even seen sailfins in 90 gallon tanks. Obviously, as I mentioned earler, there may come a point in the tang's life where you have to make a discretionary decision as to whether or not you can continue to keep it in your tank or if you will have to find a larger home for it, but I'm not against this practice. I don't know why anyone would be. When you buy a tang, it has already been through at least two tanks and two plastic bags anyway unless you buy from a wholesaler.

Thanks. So it sounds like you are saying that they will experience stunted growth but may still grow to a point where I may decide that my 90g tank is too small for them and in that case, I may have to give them away. That may be a difficult decision if I get too attached to them especially after taking care of them successfully for a couple of years. I will have to think hard and long about that before I make a final decision.

Also, can you also address the husbandry issues in my earlier post? Sure would like to know what I could do differently to successfully keep them 3 tangs in a 90g tank, if possible. TIA.

 

[nsmith_mma]

Thanks. So it sounds like you are saying that they will experience stunted growth but may still grow to a point where I may decide that my 90g tank is too small for them and in that case, I may have to give them away. That may be a difficult decision if I get too attached to them especially after taking care of them successfully for a couple of years. I will have to think hard and long about that before I make a final decision.

Also, can you also address the husbandry issues in my earlier post? Sure would like to know what I could do differently to successfully keep them 3 tangs in a 90g tank, if possible. TIA.

Right. Stunted growth means a couple of things. One is that the tang will grow at a slower rate than it normally would, and two is that the tang will not reach its full natural size. That said, you can probably still assume that in about 5 years or so, a blue hippo can go from about 4 inches to about 8-10. It will reach this size, which is still smaller than normal, at a much slower rate tha normal. But certainly, this and your other concern about giving them away after you have become attached are things to consider. That's why I would go with tangs like PTs, YTs, Kole Tangs, Bristletooths, and PBTs since they won't reach the size of a blue hippo or other larger species. You could keep fish like them much longer.

The main husbandry issues are going to be suitable tank mates (which is what we started out arguing about), ample swimming room, very good filtration and good quality RO/DI water, well-monitored levels such as ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites, making sure your equipment is good quality so you don't have any stray electrical currents in the water, and most of all just being very aware of your tank. If you suspect your fish is the victim of a stressful environment, then it is up to you as the aquarist to correct the problem whatever it may be. The best things I would advise would be a larger than necessary skimmer to cover the large amount of wastes produced in a smaller environment and a minimal aquascape to enable the fish to swim a bit more freely in the aquarium. A rock wall would not be advised when keeping tangs in smaller tanks. That said, you still want enough rock to provide hiding places at night or in times of stress.

 

[sleeper417]

I too had a blue, yellow, and purple tang in a 60 gallon tank. No problems for the first couple of days, then a fight broke out between the yellow who is roughly 4 inches and the purple being 2 inches. Tore some fins, I separated them for a day by putting the yellow in a divider. Put him back in 24 hours later, it's been 3 1/2 years, no more problems.

 

[twiggyb]

:lmao: whooo the nerdy arguments us fish keepers have! Been a little bit since I opened up a tang thread. They always make me chuckle

 

[Breakbeats2334]

I posted this a month ago out of curiosity but i should of known it would of turned into an ugly slaughter but it still had some educational value and entertainment value to say the least

 

[Putty]

Thanks. I didn't notice the Yellow. Sounds like you have 3 tangs in your 72g. How long have you had them together?

Several months. At least 6.

 

[john rochon]

A yellow, powder blue and purple in a 90g tank?? what !! come one.
do some research and make a better decision.Have you seen a powder blue tang in action?? nce you have your liverock in a 90g tank there will be very little room for 3 large tangs. Even at ''stunted'' growth your not even close for decent space. How are you going to control bioload?? Your next post
besides possible fighting [and they will fight] will be either ich,death, or
algea issues.

 

[Dragon moray ki]

I would not do it unless you have an 8 foot tank or more.

 

[Triton_Z]

:lmao: whooo the nerdy arguments us fish keepers have! Been a little bit since I opened up a tang thread. They always make me chuckle

I stopped watching this thread and look at all the fun I missed. What arguments Tangs bring ...

 

[faisal629]

a YT and a PT in a 60 cube?? lol
dont bash just checking if you guys reached a conclusion. will it work or not? both will be 1.5" and grow together. and if they out grow will be transferred to my 150 fowlr

 

[bikeboss11]

This is the most entertaining thread I have ever read.....nsmith_mma stood his ground to the very end.....keep it up

 

[reeffreak75]

What a thread........just because u had a bad experience keeping tangs doesnt mean everyone will fail.....I've seen powered blue tangs in action...yes they r aggressive..but it's sometimes it's all about the indivual...what size and when it's introduced...i guess I just got lucky.....lol

 

[AegeanBlue]

Purple and Yellow In a 135 for Over a year now, NO issues at all, And they swim together all day long.

I used to listen to these so called experts on here but honestly with no disrespect to them,......your own experiences are what will further enrich your knowledge of this hobby. I have a 210 gallon tank that originally had a sailfin tang. Introduced a yellow tang about 7 months later. They circled each other for ONE DAY threatening to duel it out. That was it. They have been the best of friends now ever since, swimming together almost everywhere. Introduced a baby hippo about 1 inch long 5 months later, They never bothered with it. My blue damsel chased it for 1 day. Now he acts apathetic towards it. If your tank is big enough you should have no issues. This entire topic of compatibility is way overblown.