Sailfin and yellow tang???
- Thread starter T575
- Start date
ReefKeeper2009
Member
From your public profile it shows that you have a 75 gallon tank. That size tank is too small long term for a sailfin tang. Additionally, two zebrasoma species in the same tank is usually not a good thing. An alternative to the sailfin tang might be a kole tang or chevron tang. Hope this helps. Tony
austin93
Don't Panic!
I have a 150 and my sailfin gets along with the yellow well. I think the key is getting a bigger sailfin than yellow. The yellow is more aggressive IMO, so this helps to balance things out. Good luck and watch out for the tang police, they will be all over you my friend. You have been warned!
ReefKeeper2009
Member
LoL the tang police they are actually just trying to help. Albeit not always in the nicest way. Tony
austin93
Don't Panic!
I agree, the are trying to help. I think its important to remember that it really doesn't matter if the tank is 4', 6', or 10' its still not comparable to their home. Take care of the fish, if they get too big buy a bigger tank. I look at it as insurance that I can upgrade again every 3 to 5 years. Good news in my opinion.
TampaReefer79
Premium Member
Actually, it DOES matter. It's the difference between optimum environment and minimum environment. I don't know about you, but I want my fish to thrive...not just survive.
ReefKeeper2009
Member
I was waiting for you to post TampaReefer79 and help me out lol. 
TampaReefer79
Premium Member
I was waiting for you to post TampaReefer79 and help me out lol.
LOL I have REALLY been trying to stay out of these threads.
I only posted in this one because I personally feel while yes captivity is much smaller than the ocean, a 10' tank is obviously much more suitable for a big swimmer than a 4' tank.
ReefKeeper2009
Member
I agree its hard to stay out of these threads. But to say it doesn't matter is interesting to say the least. I suggested alternatives that I think would work far better. I understand the part I will upgrade but why not buy the fish when you have that upgrade. Most of us that post saying I wouldn't buy this fish have tried it before. Thanks Tony
austin93
Don't Panic!
Maybe 10' was an exaggeration, but the point remains the same. Pretty fish trapped in small glass cages. "Optimum environment" is kind of misleading. I think you should provide a nice home with high quality water and lots of flow to help these fish. I will agree that a longer tank will let the fish swim further before it must turn around. This is not the place to argue what has already been argued before. The point is, the sailfin can get along with a yellow tang. Mine do and I believe its because when I added the sailfin I made sure it was larger than the yellow. Hope my experience helps in some way.
TampaReefer79
Premium Member
150% correct! I've done this numerous times, never in a 4' tank though. The smallest tank I ever had a yellow tang and sailfin tang was a 125.
Each fish and each situation is different though. The OP might buy a sailfin that is a butthead and a yellow that is a wimp. Or vice versa. But I'd go with what Austin said and get the sailfin first, and a little bigger than the yellow...and then add a smaller yellow. OR add a small yellow and then a larger sailfin.
I have never had a sailfin but certainly the yellow along with a red sea purple along with a number of other tangs together. I've been in the hobby for almost 30 years and find that no matter what works for one may not for the other as these animals are unique like people and each has its on personality. I think one of the key factors in related species such as tangs is to add them all at the same time. The yellows are hyper to say the least and after having Zebrasoma species mixed I find that they do settle down but on occasion bully a bit but nothing to harm the other tangs. I have also found that tangs from different genera seem to do fine whether added at the same time or not. I've also done this with pygmy small and large angels as well the large angels being added at the same time some mature others still in juvi markings. I've also had more problems with my Vlamingi attacking butterflys then the other tangs which she has never done.
trunks1622
New member
I have both the yellow tang and the sailfin tang in my tank. They seem to be happy. I've heard of other people say that theirs just don't get along. I guess I've been lucky so far having both in the same tank. The Sailfin tang is alot larger than my yellow tang and I've added them both at the same time. I'm hoping I wouldn't have any issues when the yellow tang gets to the same size as my Sailfin tang.
IFbettas
New member
I kept a sailfin and yellow together in my 180 for 2 years. Now they are still getting along well in a friends 125.
I had the sailfin in the 180 for 6 months before I added the yellow, who at the time was a couple inches larger than the sailfin. Now they are about equal in length.
I had the sailfin in the 180 for 6 months before I added the yellow, who at the time was a couple inches larger than the sailfin. Now they are about equal in length.
