single species fish tank

[theyangman]

Thinking of re-doing the livestock in my 220 gallon tank.

I would really like to do a single species tank, like a bunch of yellow tangs or something. I don't do much in the ways of coral either.

if I introduced them all at once, how many would be comfortable in my 220?

it is 72 long x 24 deep x 30 tall.

Or is there another species of fish you all could recommend? I would want it to look full and have a really nice pop for color. The tank has been running for almost 2 years now, but I would be starting fresh in terms of live stock. A nice schooling fish would be cool.

Oh big thing - I don't have a lid though, there is a canopy but no lid, so any sort of fish that might be prone to jumping is not going to work.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

From what I have observed ( based on very limited occasions) purple tangs tend to shoal a little better than yellow tangs.

 

[Betta132]

Threadfin cardinals school, but they're a touch low on color.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have seen a group of 12 yellow tangs kept in a ten ft tank. Almost immediately they quite schooling and paired off, each pr claiming a rock. Over the course of 2yrs the group has whittled down to five. And I suspect will continue to dwindle. My point is I dont think long term yellow tangs can be kept in a group.

Another option for lots of color is a large school of anthias. In the same ten ft tank there are 30+ squamipinnis anthias that all still seem to be there. They add a lot of color and activity to the tank.

 

[d-man]

It'll look boring in my opinion. Very sterile.
But if its your wish go with all anthias. You could do all of 1type or multiple types.
The long beach aquarium had an anthias tank that had all lyretails and bartletts that was a tall tank simulating a reef face. It was beautiful. So much color. Although the majority of the bartletts were males, the aggression was dispersed in a nice pecking order.

As far as lid.... Just make screen tops since you have a canopy. Therefore easy to move and no fish jerky.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Had a 220, started with 6 purples, slowly they picked off 1 @ a time.
NOT enough room for tangs.

 

[Achilles Torben]

When it is possible for you you can reduce the temperature for some degrees and go with pseudanthias ventralis. Very colourful. Max 23 degrees.

 

[Megistos]

A pair of crosshatch triggers might be nice. Not sure how they do if you get more than two though.

 

[theyangman]

Anthias might work. I just want lots of movement and a decent amount of color. I realize tangs are probably a waste of money and will eventually pick each other off. Just looking for any success stories along these lines and which fish they used for a single species tank.

 

[Marshall O]

How about a single family tank instead of species? Hint hint, Labridae

 

[SDguy]

I don't know I'd ever have the restraint to have such a big tank with only one species.

My favorite look for that concept, though, is something like one big powder blue tang, and a ton of anthias (same species). Or maybe a quartet of pyramid butterflies, and then a bunch of anthias (same species)...

 

[pinnatus]

I don't know I'd ever have the restraint to have such a big tank with only one species.

I know you don't!

:lol:

 

[SDguy]

I know you don't!

:lol:

Hey I'm an open book about this hobby

 

[o2manyfish]

I had a similar dimension FO tank for many years and kept multiple tangs in it with out any dire circumstances. I had 6 purples and 3-6 yellows. My issues came when I tried to add a Sohal or Clown tang to the group. I also kept blonde Naso and Powder blues in that tank without a problem.

The yellows and purples definitely seem to be bossy in small numbers. In my current reef I have 9 yellows, a purple, 2 lrg Hippo, lrg chevron and an Achilles. The purple is definitely the most bossy, but he doesn't do anything but show off. Everyone is fat and healthy and has full fins.

Dave B

 

[woodnaquanut]

I don't know I'd ever have the restraint to have such a big tank with only one species.

My favorite look for that concept, though, is something like one big powder blue tang, and a ton of anthias (same species). Or maybe a quartet of pyramid butterflies, and then a bunch of anthias (same species)...

That's funny. Your second paragraph shows your true colors.

To the OP...
Have you seen the BRS clown tank? http://youtu.be/gs1s-9JoVhY

30 CF and lots of BTAs in a 120G.

 

[SDguy]

That's funny. Your second paragraph shows your true colors.

Pretty sure my very first sentence does that all on its own :lol:

 

[Moort82]

What about instead of one species you go for one niche, such as planktavores. That way you can have anthias, plus maybe a midas blenny to interact with them, through in some pyramid butterflies and then (the real reason I'm suggesting this) go for a harem of genicanthus angels.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Or the Red Sea theme with a Regal angel, purple tang and some anthias. Or the Maldives theme with a powder blue tang, mitratus butterflyfish and other butterflyfish

 

[Iowafisher]

Fairy wrass only tanks are awesome. I have seen quite a few of these