Tang and Clown Compatibility

[ppurcell]

I have a 5" Yellow Tang and a 2.5" ocellaris in my display (both have been in the tank for many months). I also have a 4" surgeon and a 3.5" ocellaris in my QT.

If I introduce either or both of these fish into my display will I be inviting a pitched battle of Tang vs. Tang and Clown vs. Clown?

If I take both fish out, re-arrange the rockwork and then put all four fish back in would that improve my chances of success?

 

[Pufferpunk]

I've kept both together w/o any problems but mine is a Kole tang. I'd be more concerned about clown-clown, unless you are sure you have a male & female.

 

[kimoy]

IMO you should be fine with the clown since one is larger than the other. there might be a little aggression at first but one is going to give in and will change sex and that would be the larger one will be the female and the smaller one will be male. at least that's what happened to my true percs. and the tangs, in my experience, didn't have any problem. i first introduced a yellow then the rest of my tang. they said that it is best to keep tangs in odd numbers to avoid fighting. adding one tang is taking a risk too. you will get a good success if you add 2 at the same time to your existing 1. just in my own experience. i don't know what others may say. they might have different opinion on these so don't hold me for it. it is just the way i do it and i have a 100% success with it.

 

[criccio]

Like PP said, watch the clowns closely. The one you have in the tank is most likely a female, and the size of the new one would lead me to believe it is a female as well.

What type of surgeonfish?

 

[ppurcell]

Blue Tang - Paracanthurus hepatus

And it is probably 4" if it stands on its toes and stretches.

I was thinking that there is a good probability that both clowns are female too. Is there any guideline that says how many months before a clown will switch to female if it is the sole occupant of a tank?

 

[criccio]

Tangs should be fine.

Typically, it's thought to be 2 months for the switch to happen. It's a tough call because you won't know until you try it. If you do it, just be prepared to get the battered one out (I find at night to be the easiest, or while in their anemone).

Good luck.