purple & yellow tang together.

[evolutionZ]

Hey fellas, i have a 48x24x14" tank currently housing a 2.5" yellow tang for about 3 months. i want to keep a purple tang but i know the yellow tang will most likely whack the new comer. The purple tang will most likely be bigger. What can i do to make them live together peacefully?

 

[DopeCantWin]

Those dimensions indicate a 70 gallon tank, too small for keeping either of them.

 

[insomniac2k2]

I agree that that tank is too small for a purple. They are very aggressive swimmers. Even with that aside, mixing the 2 in such a small tank is asking for a dead fish IMO.

I am hesitant adding my purple and yellow into my new 200. I chose not to merge them into my 90g.

 

[nikon187]

+3 lol. just too small

 

[ca1ore]

I agree that that tank is too small for a purple. They are very aggressive swimmers. Even with that aside, mixing the 2 in such a small tank is asking for a dead fish IMO.

I am hesitant adding my purple and yellow into my new 200. I chose not to merge them into my 90g.

I'm in a similar boat. Have a medium sized yellow in my 90, and a purple in QT awaiting a tank upgrade planned for October.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Two fish in this genus almost always hate each other, strangely, 3+ often works. But as others have said, your tank is too small for two (really too small for one) and the cramped quarters would almost guarantee a serious war. These fish come equipped with switchblades and are capable of more than just a little nipping.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Hey fellas, i have a 48x24x14" tank currently housing a 2.5" yellow tang for about 3 months. i want to keep a purple tang but i know the yellow tang will most likely whack the new comer. The purple tang will most likely be bigger. What can i do to make them live together peacefully?

You can't do anything to alter the genetic make-up of fish. Two fish in this genus almost always hate each other, strangely, 3+ often works. But as others have said, your tank is too small for two (really too small for one) and the cramped quarters would almost guarantee a serious war. These fish come equipped with switchblades and are capable of more than just a little nipping.

 

[evolutionZ]

Thanks guys for your advice, will drop the idea of adding a purple tang. For where i come from, people keep blue/yellow tang in tanks as small as 2ft (not 2ft cube) and they think its big enough for them... i would say mine is ok for a yellow tang

 

[ali1]

Tangs swim in one direction for long periods without turning around. We say 6ft tank as an absolute minimum.

As for mixing the two, it can be done. I have a purple and a yellow in my 150g. Purple is 5+ inches. Yellow is 4 inches. They're best friends. They eat together, graze together, and swim together.

 

[lhm nole]

I have a big purple and yellow together in a 8 ft 300 no issues so far been together close to a year never seen a nick fin.. I have had issues in the past mixing the two this time I qt the 2 together and added them togehter

 

[nikon187]

Thanks guys for your advice, will drop the idea of adding a purple tang. For where i come from, people keep blue/yellow tang in tanks as small as 2ft (not 2ft cube) and they think its big enough for them... i would say mine is ok for a yellow tang

some people keep dogs in tiny kennels all day long, doesnt make it right or humane.

 

[hammerfrog]

Thanks guys for your advice, will drop the idea of adding a purple tang. For where i come from, people keep blue/yellow tang in tanks as small as 2ft (not 2ft cube) and they think its big enough for them... i would say mine is ok for a yellow tang

No they don't

 

[DopeCantWin]

Thanks guys for your advice, will drop the idea of adding a purple tang. For where i come from, people keep blue/yellow tang in tanks as small as 2ft (not 2ft cube) and they think its big enough for them... i would say mine is ok for a yellow tang

This is why the lifespan in nature for a Yellow Tang is 30 years but in our aquariums it's miraculous to get 10, most die long before that.