Purple and yellow tank?

[nsmith_mma]

An adequate environment would mean a large tank. I personally would never keep more than 3 tangs in a 180 gallon tank. I probably wound't even keep a tang in anything smaller than a 125 gallon tank. They are too active for anything smaller IMO, a 180 would be better yet because of the extra 6" of front to back depth. Tangs add a huge bioload to a tank which is part of my reasoning. I don't like having to constantly watch nutrient levels in the tank, and I am sure that I am not alone on this. Keeping a tang out of the equation, unless your tank meets the minimum requirement in the guidelines from RC, makes it way easier. If a fish eats all day, it is going to poop all day. That is just the way the digestive tract works.

I just think there are things that are just as important as tank size. Filtration, swimming room, temperature regulation, the presence or absence of pests, and compatible tank mates are all huge factors in aquarium success.

Personally, I think a yellow tang would be better off in a very well filtered 55 gallon tank with a larger-than-necessary skimmer, large amounts of open swimming space, a chiller, low amounts to no sign of nutrient-depleting algae (hair algae) or aiptasia, and tank mates which are not going to harass it than it would be in a 180 gallon tank with a smaller-than-necessary skimmer, packed full of rock and coral leading to cramped quarters, variable temperature from day to night or season to season, large amounts of hair algae and/or aiptasia, and tank members which will constantly harass it.

Now before you think I contradicted myself in this post, I didn't. A fish's temprament is often due to its reaction to a particular environment. So if your tank meets all of the requirements to provide a suitable environment for the fish including, but not limited to, tank size, then it is more likely that two fish who are known enemies will be able to live together because they have no reason to be agitated. Their environment is suitable for them and therefore they don't have heightened tendencies for aggression. Tank size is not the only thing you need to consider when talking about tangs.

Have you guys ever watched any of the fish you are talking about? PTs are not even close to the most active swimmers I've ever seen. I would be more concerned about putting a lunare wrasse into a 55 gallon tank than I would be about a PT. If we are talking about the same species, I would be more concerned with a PBT than a PT due to their comparative swimming tendencies. Again, I think a smaller tank with more open swimming space accomodates a fish of this type just fine. And if you don't, don't persecute me because I do. It's just that I have seen it and you haven't. You take the tang thread as the be-all end-all of tang guidelines, but it is more flexible than that. I would be willing to bet that most of you who point to that thread all the time have never even tried to keep a tang in a tank smaller than that reccommended in that thread because if you had, you would know that some of the suggested tank sizes are absurd to say the least.

 

[albano]

Personally, I think a yellow tang would be better off in a very well filtered 55 gallon tank with ... large amounts of open swimming space,

a 55g reef tank... with large amounts of open swimming space! :lmao:
you're funny!

 

[nsmith_mma]

How is it not feasible to imagine a 55 with more swimming space than a 180? Especially with some of the rock walls I have seen in some tanks here. A minimal aquascape in a 55 could potentially provide more swimming room than a maxed out aquascape in a 180.

 

[Lorenz725]

This has gone off topic there was nothing in my question about tank size. It was if people had luck with a yellow and purple tang in the same tank. With what I got out of the first few post I have decided not to try it. Thanks for the post that were on topic and helped me decided.

 

[nsmith_mma]

But that's the fun of a forum isn't it? lol

 

[geaux xman]

Personally, if I had a liking for both fish, I would certainly try it. If it works, you would have the gratification and pleasure of having two fish that you really like for years and years. Similarly to the divroce rate being around 50% and people still get married. The end result is worth the risk.

If it doesnt, oh well, it was worth a shot. Then you would have to decide which fish you're going to keep.

 

[syrinx]

As I said in a previous thread I have done the mix several times, and one pair has been together over a decade in a 125. Doing a poll about tangs here is not going to give a realistic result-its too emotional for some people. You also have to remember the opinions here are based on a very small % of aquarium keepers. It does contain some very well educated people- but it also contains the zeleots that tend to occupy the fringes of any activity.