Tang Compatability

[nterry]

Hi,

I am looking to restart my 120 gallon tank. I have been toying with my stocking plan and wanted to get some feedback.

I am thinking about an Achilles tang (yes, I have been doing research and realize that they are tough to keep). But my main question is would I be able to keep a an Achilles tang with a yellow tang and a blue hippo tang together? Or maybe with or the other?

The other potential tankmates I am thinking about are a long nose hawkfish, triggerfish, snowflake eel, dwarf angels and dottybacks. Maybe a clownfish. Still in the thinking stages here (no water in tank), so lots of choices.

Thanks,

nterry

 

[Toddrtrex]

I would not put an Achilles in a 120 alone, let alone with 2 other tangs. In addition, a 120 isn't a good fit for a "hippo" either.

 

[serpentman]

Although I agree the Achilles ien't a good idea, I do not see an issue with a blue morpho in a 120 provided its small. Yes, eventually it will outgrow it, however, IME, this could take years until this is an issue.

 

[Toddrtrex]

COULD take years, with "could" being the key word. P. Hepatus are very fast growers, and could easily outgrow a 4 foot tank in less then a year. I think it is best to stock for the tank you have now.

 

[isildursbane]

If you like tangs, I would pare it down to just one and like Toddrtrex said, make it a small / slow-growing specimen and stock for the tank you have.

 

[sanchoy]

If you have 120 and one achilles you might be able to do it. . Tangs will squabble all the time. It all depends on if you plan on upgrading in the future, I would not put 3 full size tangs in a 120, unless you have no liverock where space can be provided.

As far as achilles/yellow/blue? I believe the achilles and blue might be from the same family of tangs which will not be compatible. The yellow should be fine with a few torn fins here and there.

 

[sanchoy]

FWIW my little blue hippo tang grew from a quarter size to 4 inches in less then one year!! just so you get a clue how fast these fishes grow.

 

[serpentman]

COULD take years, with "could" being the key word. P. Hepatus are very fast growers, and could easily outgrow a 4 foot tank in less then a year. I think it is best to stock for the tank you have now.

I've kept a lot of tangs over the last 18yrs and have yet to see one grow fast enough to outgrow a 4'x2' tank in a year. Not saying it isn't possible, just unlikely.

It really comes down to what you consider the right sized tank. Personally, although I feel bigger is better when it comes to optimal tank size, I don't subscribe to the hard and fast 6' rule for tangs. I believe its subjective based on the size and growth rate. For example, many of the zebrasoma are slow growers and could take 6+ years to outgrow a reasonably sized set up. On the other hand, I would argue that my large 9" Vlamingi has just about outgrown my 300g.

FWIW my little blue hippo tang grew from a quarter size to 4 inches in less then one year!! just so you get a clue how fast these fishes grow.

Agreed. However, I've found that their growth slows down significantly once they reach about 5-6" and begin to put on some girth.

 

[macman7010]

I too have never seen this tremendous accelerated growth out of a Blue Hippo. I got my Blue Hippo in late 2008 and he is barely two inches bigger then when I got him. Tangs in general are known biologically to be slow growers.

I personally don't see a problem with your intended profile. Yes, all these fish CAN grow large but it takes years and years. My assumption is that within 5 or more years you could either upgrade your aquarium or find a more suitable home for your fish.

 

[lordofthereef]

I will chime in, more about what I think about the 6' rule and the
stock your tank for the stats you have now rather than what you plan to have in the future" rule.

The 6' rule is a very strange one to me. I am not sure where it originated, or who came up with it, but it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense. 6' is still vastly smaller than these animals natural swim space. Why 6' is the magic number is beyond me. I have seen tangs in 4'-10' tanks and they all tend to do one of two things. Swim back and forth, or essentially circle the rockwork. Unless the animal is so big that it doesn't even swim from one end of the tank to the other, but rather reaches the tank end to end, I personally fail to understand this restriction. My point it that I think this restriction could/should just as easily be 8' or 10' (or any larger number for that matter). My theory is that 6' tanks are by far a more popular build (talking standard here, not custom), and as such they are the "largest" tank to recommend. It is much easier to recommend and sell a fish if I don't have to have a custom 10' tank built around it. Please understand that this is pure conjecture on my part, based somewhat on all of the readings I have done.

As far as stocking a tank for what you have now instead of what you plan to have, I think there is some merit to that. If you are simply dreaming of a tank in the future to put your fish in without a budget or anything much in place yet, it would probably do you and the fish the most good to hold off. If you do have plans in place, I say go for it. The counter argument for this is that plans can change or fail. I agree to that statement. My counter to that is, plenty of people with large enough tanks have plans change and end up tearing the tank down. My point? Nothing is set in stone. Should we remain out of the hobby because we might not know if we will have said tank for the next 5, 10, 20+ years? IMO, no. I feel the most important thing to remember here is to still keep the fish's best interest (having already taken it from the wild) at heart. Let's say plans on your 500g dream tank fell through and you have a tang outgrowing your current system. It is your responsibility to still do something about it. Be aware, this may require you to damn near dismantle all of your rock work to get that sucker out. IMO it is your duty at this point to find the animal a home. FWIW, I doubt you will have a hard time giving away or selling a large tang (maybe not an achilles due to their difficulty), unless you live in a super remote area.

 

[lordofthereef]

EDIT Double post.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I too have never seen this tremendous accelerated growth out of a Blue Hippo. I got my Blue Hippo in late 2008 and he is barely two inches bigger then when I got him. Tangs in general are known biologically to be slow growers.

I personally don't see a problem with your intended profile. Yes, all these fish CAN grow large but it takes years and years. My assumption is that within 5 or more years you could either upgrade your aquarium or find a more suitable home for your fish.

If your P. Hepatus has only grown 2" in more then 2 years something is pretty wrong -- assuming that it is under 8".

And you honestly think that having an Achilles, Hepatus, and a yellow tang all in a 120 is a good idea?

 

[extreme5450]

i have numerous tangs now and some have grown to over a foot in a year so i don't know if you don't feed very much or have a small tank but it happens...... 17years ha

 

[strike2867]

If your P. Hepatus has only grown 2" in more then 2 years something is pretty wrong -- assuming that it is under 8".

And you honestly think that having an Achilles, Hepatus, and a yellow tang all in a 120 is a good idea?

Seems like there are a few exceptional reefers that are able to do it. There was a video a few months back of a reefer keeping a Sailfin in his 120. The Sailfin was huge, but didn't seem to mind the tank. The tank also had a ton of huge SPS's. I'm guessing you saw the video. Personally, I've been giving away fish that get too big for my 90. A few months back I gave away a 5 inch Lavender Tang. I got a 1/2 inch Blue Tang about a month ago. He has doubled in size. Looks like he will be given away early.

 

[serpentman]

i have numerous tangs now and some have grown to over a foot in a year so i don't know if you don't feed very much or have a small tank but it happens...... 17years ha

Without indicating their starting length, "growing to over a foot" does not quantify your response nor did you specify the species (which I'm assuming is a Naso)? If it was a hepatus I'd consider that an exception rather than the norm.

Personally, I've fed 2-3 full sheets of Nori daily to 8 tangs for years and haven't seen anything other than some overweight fish. My 9" Vlamingi, which has probably grown the most at 1.5" in 2 years is about 1.5-2" thick.

 

[david pinder]

Buy the tang you want enjoy it every day, when it gets too big there are a lot of guys like myself who have tanks large enough we would love to buy your fish. turn around and get yourself another we all win. 5 blue hippos in my 15 footer and wanting more.

 

[Tracey2]

I have an achillies, naso, hippo and purple in a 270g, they have all grown alot in the past year, I am very attached to all of them and hope I don't have to sell them. I have housed a sohal in a 150g and had to sell him because it just wasn't enough tank for him, he was very unhappy. I also think my achillies would be unhappy in anything much smaller than the 270g.

 

[nterry]

Thanks for all of the responses. Some tangs might grow to a foot in length in a year, but not an Achilles tang or a yellow tang. According to Scott Michael's book, maximum size for these two species is 9.4 inches and 7.9 inches respectively. A pacific blue tang "hippo", etc, will get a maximum of 12.2 inches.

I guess I am also seeing the wide variety of opinion about whether or not the 100 gallon minimum limit is "correct" that Scott Michael's book gives as a guideline.

My point about my setup being new is that I am planning my livestock from scratch, not the crazy stuff that I have done in the past where I have to make my whole plan revolve around one or two specimens that don't fit in with the rest of what I want. The tank will be setup in about 2-3 months, so I figured I would take the time to do my research now.

Any other thoughts on how well the Achilles would fit together with the yellow tang and the hippo tang?

 

[JAustin]

Move some rock around to help keep the others from being protective of their "spots". I've got a 5" powder blue, 2" orange shoulder, and a 2.5" scopus. They all get along and are growing wider faster than they are growing longer...I feed alot!

I've got a standard 120G. When they get huge i'll sell them to a larger home and enjoy another species.

HTH
Jason

 

[battplus]

This is a hard one, tang police are all over it. I keep 2 sailfins, a purple tang and a magnificent foxface together in my 110 gallon, but it is 6 feet long. I also have two seperate islands covered with sps and an open space in the middle. They all love the length of the tank and the extra open swim room. I wouldn't have this combo in a four foot tank, they seem to slowly go crazy with the less length of swim area to get up to speed. My two sailfins are medium sized and slowly growing, but they still love the tank and each other! Seems like a mated pair the way they are always swimming next to each other all the time! If you are planning the tank still, go with a 6 foot, if not don't try that combo, the archilles will go crazy and beat up the other fish for territory.