purple tang

[flashyleopard]

I know it is a subject with diverse opinions, but I would like to get some thoughts about keeping a purple tang permanently in a 125 gal.Actual dimensions are 72''X18''22''. I don't want to force a fish to live in a tank that will stunt its growth or cause it stress, so I want to hear what folks have to say.

A little info about my tank is that it isn't up and running yet, si I am in the planning a research phase and still tweaking my proposed livestock list. the tank will be a mixed reef with about 100 lbs of live rock arranged in groups against the back to allow for swimming room.

My other concerns about the tang are its aggressive tendencies. Will it be aggressive to any and all newly introduced fish or just like bodied fish or fish from the same genus? I want to keep some smaller, peaceful fish, like leopard wrasses and firefish, so I don't want a holy terror, monopolizing the set-up. I am looking to fill a niche with the look and habits of the fish, rather than needing it as a herbivore. In its place I have considerd a CBB (difficulties in keeping and needs for a muture tank noted) or perhabs a pygmy angel or bellus angel. I am just exploring the potential and working out the best possible community, with fish to occupy every part of the aquarium and provide a variety of shapes and colors.Thanks in advance.

 

[indydog1]

purple tang should ok in that tank. personally i would look against angels as you want a mixed reef. and no angel is 100% reef safe. genicanthrus (sp) angels though are reveared as the most reef safe. wrasses and fire fish i would add first and leave the tang till last so the rock work has time to build up algae. tangs like to be able to graze all day long. good luck and continue to research like you are now.

 

[flashyleopard]

Thanks for the reply. I am really leaning away from angels as well, even the swallowtailed angels, as the swallowtails are larger and high in bioload. I am trying so hard to get all levels of the water colum occupied, while keeping a compatible species list, invertebrate friendly fishy, and a moderate stocking level.

To me, a well thought out tank, as far as fish, would include a large, showy fish, such as butteryfly or tang, then some visible midwater fish, like damsels, firefish, or bangaaii cardinals, but at least 2 species, a clown had to be included to appease the other half, then leopard wrasses are my must have fish and they look great in trios, then a bottom dwelling goby or dragonet is in order, followed by a surface fish, like anthias or flasher wrasse.Another option is a midwater schooler, like the smaller, long rayed and blue eyed glassy cardinals.

The trouble is a mandarin, butterfly, and leopard wrasses would be in direct competition for pods, so only two of those types can be included in this system...at the most. To me flasher wrasses are a better suface schooler, b/c they are hardier and need less feeding than the anthias. I am tempted to just post a list of fish and let the board members stock the tank up to 15 fish and see which combination I like best..lol

I have made tons of list and keep tweaking them, I really want to do what's best for the system and fish as a whole and not cater to just one fish or the coral. I have very specific ideas of how I want it to look too. I know it will start to make its own decisions as it cycles and gets going and I add corals, then fish. The look of the tank will change and the niches that are missing will show and be filled as needed I just enjoy researching and planning.

 

[reefman8471]

125 stocking

125 stocking

The Purple Tang will be fine in a 125. I have one in a 100 and have had him for over two years. Generally very hardy fish and they are one of the most aggressive tangs. However, they don't always attack every new fish. He did harass my longnose butterflyfish and majestic angelfish but left my Chocolate Mimic Tang alone. However, to be on the safe side I would add him last based on the fish you have been considering. Also, remember that the Copperband Butterflyfish is not an easy fish to keep and are not 100% reef safe.

James

 

[flashyleopard]

Does the agression dimimish or was the picking at other fish relentless? I am tolerable of the odd butting incident or the short and infrequent chase, but I will not want a tang that terrorizes any of the other fish consistently. I would avoid fish of similar shape and size all together, as the tang would be the only larger, roaming fish I need to fill that role in the tank. I suppose I expected the tang to have no aversion to smaller and disimilar fish. Powder blue tangs are beautiful and one I considered, but due to the difficulty in acclimating them, I was hoping for a hardier fish. Yellow tangs are ok, but I have seen them be holy terrors to anything put into the tank with them and so I am wary.
I will continue to read people's experience and research. Maybe, with a qaurentine and an excellent diet, a PBT would not be as difficult as I imagine

 

[IFbettas]

Yellow tangs are usually MUCH less aggressive than purple tangs. Especially if you add them last.

 

[flashyleopard]

Well, this was over 8 years ago and my friend did have the poor tang in a 30 gallon, though he was only a teenager and reefing was in its infancy, so I do not expect he knew better. That may have been a huge contributer to the tangs aggression.Any cooments on waht type of aggression the purples are known for, for example similar or cospecifics, a bit of short-lived chasing of new fish, or are they always quarrelsome with all tank mates?Thanks for the information.