purple tang in a 120g - experiences?

[eaglesrx]

just wanted to see what everyone's experiences are of keeping a purple tang in a 120g (48"x24"x24")?

I'm always thinking about future upgrades. I would try to create an open aquascape and have no other tangs. The only thing I worry about is adding other fish after the purple. I know there was a former TOTM who had a 90g and kept a purple for a long time and had no problems. I've read some threads where people have done it. But, just curious to see what other people have done.

So, if everyone can, please discuss experiences of adding fish after the purple tang.

Thanks!!

 

[John&Steph]

I had a purple tang. I tried adding a yellow and they did not get along at all. I got rid of the yellow and added a kole with no problems.

I think that yellow was a trouble maker anyway. I tried him in two tanks and took him back to the LFS.

 

[jubjub]

i have a purple in my 90(60*18*18) with out to many issues although definately put him in last....they are mean little boogers... i added a foxface and a flame angel after and he harassed my fox to no end then the next day found bunch of white spots from where the foxface spiked the purple..then aggression stopped instantly..........then he harassed my flame angel for a day or two then it went away

also if you plan to add fish later i'd get the smallest one you can find, since they are pretty voracious eaters and super hardy fish

 

[WuHT]

One of (if not the ) hardiest tangs out there.. the only problem in my area is that the purple tangs that come in are TINY compared to what was available a couple of years back.

On the plus side, my purple tang (3.5") was so fiesty that it'd tail slap the net whenever i put it in the tank (made for easy catching)

 

[eaglesrx]

thanks everyone! what about it attacking bartlett anthias or percula clownfish or yasha gobies added after the purple tang? I think it should be fine as none of them would compete with the tang for algae.

Thanks!

 

[Toddrtrex]

thanks everyone! what about it attacking bartlett anthias or percula clownfish or yasha gobies added after the purple tang? I think it should be fine as none of them would compete with the tang for algae.

Thanks!

It will depend on the individual fish. I USED to have one in my 75, sold it for 2 reasons, it was getting too big, and (( more importantly )) it was getting too mean. It was go after my Clarkii pair daily -- who were in the tank first -- and really had it out for the male. More then once I watched it draw blood from the male Clarkii.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I love PTs and have 3 of them; all adults raised from about 3". I don't think these fish would have the swimming room they need in a 48" tank.

 

[anbosu]

Yeah I think they are awesome fish but really borderline for a 120, even a 5 footer.

 

[wickedfish]

I have have a P.Tang in my 120 gallon tank for about a year now with a A.tusk and a pair of mystery wrasses with no problems what so ever. Actually, the Ptang and Tusk swim together side by side. There B-f's. Im thinking of upgrading in the next few months. Yes, P.Tangs are very agg. to new comer's. Put him in last.

 

[blacktop pete]

I kept one in my 90 reef for a year. Beautiful fish, ate everything, only problem he sliced up any fish i tried to add after him. I would say to add him last to your dt.

 

[bassking16]

Inputs

Inputs

I have been considering one as well. My LFS has a 5" PT in there 150g display tank. Also in the tank is a 5" Yellow Tang (they swim around side by side like best friends) He also has a large PJ Cardinal, Marine Beta, Lawnmower Blenny, and a Flame Angel. All the fish seem to get along well. Most just hang out in there own little spot, but the two Tangs are all over the place, and don't seem to bother anything.
Hope this helps you out.
Best of luck.

 

[Big E]

I have a 7-8" PT in my 48" 120g & he is fine. He's been the only tang since I got him. He spent most of his time in a 180g but the last 3 of his 16 years in the 120g. He's been with a lot of different fish & was never a problem..........all were added after him when in the 180g--

Clowns, Anthias, BF's, Angels, Chromis,damsels, flamehawk, fairy wrasse

I have an open aquascape & currently only have a 6" Muelleri CBB & a damsel with him.
I would never put another tang in this tank & would only add smaller fish if I decide to add anything.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

Not to hijack the thread, but Big E, do you think the open aquascape has alot to do with your tang's happiness? I'm going with the two island roacksape with tons of swimming room and would reallly like a PT, it's a 48" 75G.

 

[eaglesrx]

hey, thanks for everyone's input. Good to see a wide variety of experiences. This is what I expected. I've seen it done and I've also seen where it didn't work. It definitely seems like it's hit or miss. I'll think I'll try for a 180g for the future upgrade. Hopefully, the new house will have a room to fit a 6ft tank!!

I think the biggest issue for me is the aggression towards putting smaller fish in after the purple tang. I currently only have a 28g nanocube. I had an orchid dottyback some aggression issues with an orchid dottyback previously. Supposedely, those are more docile than other dottybacks, but once again, it's hit or miss. I had it for about 2 years with a pair of clowns and they were fine together. Then, I gave my clowns away and the orchid was by itself in the tank for about 2 wks while I was looking for a new pair of clowns. It quickly claimed the tank as it's own. When I added the new pair of clowns, it immediately harrased them and wouldn't allow the clowns to leave their anenome. It would actually wait for them to try to swim out during feeding and then attack them.

Anyways, thanks for everyone's input!

 

[Big E]

Not to hijack the thread, but Big E, do you think the open aquascape has alot to do with your tang's happiness? I'm going with the two island roacksape with tons of swimming room and would reallly like a PT, it's a 48" 75G.

A 75g is too small. In the 120g the open scape helps as well as the light stocking I have.

 

[RealReef7]

I have a standard 120g with a purple and yellow tang. They all get along fine. Make sure you add them at the same time.(Its what I did and so far so good, 1 year strong)

 

[sanchoy]

Purple tang is a great fish. He is a bit of a hassler but with time he will accept them or kill them. So far my PT killed one of my stone fishes. Splitted the stone in almost half with his scapel.

PT now resides with my other tangs in my display with a few scuffles but nothing major.

 

[Outerlimits]

Not to hijack the thread, but Big E, do you think the open aquascape has alot to do with your tang's happiness? I'm going with the two island roacksape with tons of swimming room and would reallly like a PT, it's a 48" 75G.

I kept a PT and a Yt in a 75 fowlr tank for 8 years. Bought them when back when you could buy Pt for $49.00 that time is long gone. The PT out grew the tank and I sold it. Broke my heart, but it was best for the fish. It can be done, not the best enviroment for that variety of Tang, especially when they grow so fast. But the bio-load that they put on that small of a system limits what else you can put in your tank.

 

[jhutton]

I had a purple tang for 5 years in a 90 gallon probably the most hardy tang i ever owned, loved for its color, but it was a bully, i lost a few wrasses and other fish to it because it would keep them scared so they could never come out to eat. not sure i will get another one and if i do it will be the last fish added, it was okay with what was in the tank when i got it but anything need was doomed, good luck

 

[eaglesrx]

just curious if anyone else has any other experiences? please focus the discussion on

1. if your aquascape is more open to maximize swimming room and

2. any aggression towards fish that were added after the purple tang.

Thanks!