Tang question

[rayn]

Please don't kill me, cause I know some of you will. :lmao: I have a 120 with 55 sump and was wanting to do a tang medly of sorts. The LFS talked about a group of yellow in a odd number. Wondering the thoughts on that. All would go in at the same time. I already have a scopas tang in QT waiting to go in the same tank. Would there be combatibilty issues as they are the same basic shape, but they are totally different colors. The scopas is almost a black with very little gray up around the eyes and snout. Any thoughts on this?

 

[jaa1456]

Well an odd number group of yellow tangs would mean 3. So 4 tangs like that in a 120 would be to much. The odd number thing is just a myth, It works for some and otheres it doesn't. Depends all on the fish. From my experience Scopas tangs are more aggresive than any yellows I have ever had. Maybe one yellow tang and introduce at the same time as th scopas. Do you have 2 seperate QT's? Otherwise the Scopas will most likely go after the yellow in the QT.

 

[SDguy]

I would not do it. There are plenty of other fish you could keep that would group well (anthias, wrasses).

 

[Jhockey]

If your looking for a group of fish for a harem in your tank, look into cardinals. I think the a group of 5 or so threadfins would make a great addition. I honestly wouldn't add any other tangs in a 120g. Sounds like to me that the LFS is just trying to make a buck.

 

[hybridazn]

A schoal of yellows looks awesome, but require a large system to do so.

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[rayn]

Hmmm. Food for thought. I trust this particular lady, as she hasn't steered me wrong yet. Always been right in line with what I learn here, that is why I double checked. I was a idea, that I might toy with and manipulate to serve me better then the large numbers.

Is there a reason that they will fight? Body shape, numbers, or just the way tangs are?
As far as numbers, there could be two yellow and the scopas leaving three. Or would say a pair of the scopas and yellow work? I can QT multiple at the same time as I can run up to three QT, so that shouldn't be a issue.

 

[BrianD]

The LFS lady is selling you these fish, right?

 

[IFbettas]

I'd only add one yellow and if possible add it at the same time as the scopas. While a groups of yellows might get along, it is likely that they will turn on each other as they get older. Personally, I don't think it's worth the risk.

 

[rayn]

The LFS lady is selling you these fish, right?

She is selling them yeah, but if it doesn't work she'll here about it. She is knowledgeable in salt from what one heard and learned from her. But, like I said that is why I double checked here.

 

[WETFISH]

I started with 5 yellows....didn't take a month they killed 3.The other 2 fight on and off like they want to kill each other....after over 4 years they have fin damage that has never healed....I wouldn't do it(again)!!!

 

[nikon187]

3 zebrasoma tangs in a 120g tank is asking for war..My one yellow is almost too much for my 170g

 

[rayn]

I started with 5 yellows....didn't take a month they killed 3.The other 2 fight on and off like they want to kill each other....after over 4 years they have fin damage that has never healed....I wouldn't do it(again)!!!

Just asking, but how do you know they killed them rather then them just dieing?

3 zebrasoma tangs in a 120g tank is asking for war..My one yellow is almost too much for my 170g

Why do you say one is to big for a 170? I thought they only got like 6 inches.

 

[TampaReefer79]

6 inches? You must not have ever seen a dinner plate sized yellow tang. Even just 1 yellow and 1 scopas in a 120 is a bad idea. They will fight 99 times out of 100. And to be honest, a 120 is too small for either by itself...IMO.

 

[nikon187]

Just asking, but how do you know they killed them rather then them just dieing?



Why do you say one is to big for a 170? I thought they only got like 6 inches.

Tangs live up to 20 yrs so they don't usually just die if healthy.

Yellow tangs get bigger than 6" and mine certainly is. My yellow is also hyper aggressive and that is why i think he is almost too much for my 170g. As already stated it is a bad idea to mix zebrasoma species, especially in a smaller tank ( under 180g)

 

[Alpha_03]

Hello

I have a yellow, a purple and two blue hippos (one medium and one large) they get along quite well- all be it, the purple and yellow usually avoid each other, if they do show agression, the large blue hippo breaks up any possible fight real quick. This is in a 165 gallon tall setting, with lots of live rock/caves (245lbs worth) this is what allows them to co-habbitat in my system I think.

There are also 3 darts (sissor and zebra pair), 2 cardinals (a PJ and a Bangai), and 3 perc. clowns (S_M_L), as well as a blue velvet damsel, a large diamond gobie (mr. clean) and 2 neon cleaner gobies, a 12 line Wrasse, and a Mcorkester. I have 4 cleaner shrimp, 4 pepermint shrimp, 4 green crabs, several star fish, a large clean up crew, 2 anenomes and several large gorgonians and several other LPS. Every thing has been running for 3 years now and it is a joy to watch all of them play together.

So to answer- Yes you can keep several tangs together- you just need room for them to swim and sometimes hide, I feel it is best to get them small and let them grow up together.

 

[R_Hudson]

If it were me I wouldn't do it. As stated above there are plenty of other "peaceful" fish that do great in groups. There is just too much at stake to risk it IMO. Yes it could work, but why put a life in danger

 

[WETFISH]

Just asking, but how do you know they killed them rather then them just dieing?

There was a constant war going on with the two attacking the others as soon as they came out in the open.There was no chance to eat or graze or even swim around.The dominant two attacked each other too, but they just refused to hide.

 

[rayn]

Thanks. I figured you had a decent reason, just wondering what you saw.