Purple Tang vs Ctenochaetus for 120 mixed reef?

[GroktheCube]

My tank has only been up and running for a bit more than a month, so I'm still a ways off from adding anything at all, but I'm working on getting a stock list together.

Purple Tangs are definitely one of my favorite marine ornamental fish that could theoretically live in a 120, but I have some concerns. I feel that it would definitely be towards the upper limit of a fish that I could fit in there as far as size goes, both for its comfort and for aesthetics. I'm also concerned that the relatively small size of the tank might increase aggressive behavior.

On the other hand, I'm quite sure that pretty much any bristletooth would be fine, and many of them are quite pretty. However, I've also always heard that they tend to be far more shy and reserved than Zebramosa tangs. Is that accurate?

Based on your experience, which would you choose for a 4x2x2 mixed reef? Whichever I choose, they will be the largest fish in the tank, and I will not be stocking heavily.

 

[SDguy]

In these sort of situations, I say try it. If it doesn't work, remove one and sell it off. PT are really mean though, so be prepared.

 

[DarthSimon]

Purple Tangs will shread to pieces any fish that he thinks is a threat...

 

[GroktheCube]

Yeah, I know they get nasty, they're just gorgeous and seem to have tons of personality. I'd probably add it after everything else, but I'm a bit worried that I might not even be able to have a pair of clowns.

 

[DarthSimon]

Notice what I said. "What he thinks". It's all on the individual fish... I've had my purple for 3-4 years now, and he usually gives all newly intruded fish a hard time for 24 hours if not more. I've tried to sneak past a yellow tang a few times, that was war!!! Yellows all lost the battle quickly....

There are so many other nice fish available to you. Do your research... If I could do it all over again, I would never ever get another purple....
I've seen purples be more aggressive than Sohals if you could believe it...

 

[caribfan]

One thing that I found helped aggression in my tank, specifically with my PBT was a reliable food supply. On the days I couldn't get sea veggies to my tank twice a day, I noticed more aggression. Fish have a hierarchy of needs just like humans do and food is pretty high up there, so when it is fully and consistently met, it seems to ease tension in my tank. If you think about it, you probably get grumpy when you're hungry too. The difference of course is that, you are a moral being, not an animal, and instead of just getting ****ed and slashing people, like your tang might do go other fish, you just go to McDonalds or wherever. Your fish can't do that, thus they get aggressive. Food for thought.

I agree with Peter, try it out and be ready to re-home. Or alternatively, install a fast food restraint in your tank ...

 

[caribfan]

Restaruant, not restraint. Although there are probably some of us out there that might need a fast food restraint. Reminds me of the Pen is mightier (peni5 mightier) skit from SNL. Loved Sean Connery in those days.

That turned into a long rambling correction for just one word.

 

[tylersarah]

I think tangs, not including the bristletooth are too active for a 4 foot tank and ultimately will look like they're unhappy. How about a butterflyfish?

 

[pinnatus]

My Purple tang was as mellow as they come. He never bothered any established fish, and might give a newcomer a hard time for maybe up to an hour. He was large too, maybe 6-7". So, it really depends on the fish.

 

[GroktheCube]

Thanks for the feedback all, I think I'll stick with a bristetooth until I get a bigger tank.

Tylersarah, you mentioned Butterflies (I generally love them), but since its going to be a mixed reef, I'm a little hesitant to risk it.

Edit: I'd like to include Tridacnids. Don't even coral safe butterflies go after them, or am I mistaken?

 

[tylersarah]

The copperband, the mulleri and yellow longnose are all good choices for a reef.

 

[tylersarah]

Oh, and I have a maxima clam and a full mixed reef, sps and softies. Also, I don't have any aiptasia or fan worms, that's a plus!

 

[GroktheCube]

Good to know, thank you. I didn't realize they were "clam safe". Would they be comfortable in a 120g when full grown?

It will be a while before I add any fish, especially delicate ones, but I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Mikesville510]

It helps if you add the purple tang last, that way he's the new kid on the block and hasn't set up his territory

 

[aandfsoccr04]

How does the powder brown tang compare to the purple tang in terms of aggression?

 

[tylersarah]

Good to know, thank you. I didn't realize they were "clam safe". Would they be comfortable in a 120g when full grown?

It will be a while before I add any fish, especially delicate ones, but I'll keep that in mind.

Far more comfortable than an aggressive tang I'd say. I have a 120.

 

[GroktheCube]

Far more comfortable than an aggressive tang I'd say. I have a 120.

Thank you for the advice.

Is that your muelleri in your avatar? It's gorgeous.

 

[DarthSimon]

I have 4 Heniocus Duphrutes Butterfly's that are terrific in my reef tank!! Totally reef safe!!

 

[DarthSimon]

 

[betamed]

How does the powder brown tang compare to the purple tang in terms of aggression?

usually less aggressive. needs more space and more prone to ich and stress but good fish, Get the one with the large white patch on the face not the little mark.