tang question

[Mikenroe]

I have a 160 gallon mixed reef aquarium with a Eshopps RS 300 sump. I also have an emperor UV rated for my tank and a Bubble Magus NAC 9 protein skimmer. However, my question is this, I have a purple tang, along with a blue Hippo Tang. I would like to add 2 yellow tangs to my aquarium. I am going to be re doing my aquascape at which point i will be taking out all my fish. So my thought was that i could get two yellow and the purple and then add them back in the tank at the same time, Is this possible or will everyone fight? I've seen tanks especially TOTM's that have these fish together. I also see them having leopard wrasse's and even a few dwarf angels. What is the key to success in keeping the tangs and these other generally viewed as not reef safe fish?

 

[MondoBongo]

in a 160 i would assume there would be fighting, especially with 3 members of the genus Zebrasoma.

what dimensions are your 160? 72" long?

i would highly expect aggression, and usually it is advised to keep odd numbers of potential conflict fish.

 

[scooter31707]

It's recommended that if you group Yellow Tangs together, it should be least 3 or more. 160 will be pushing it for them 3, purple, and Hippo Tang. You could try 1 yellow, 1 purple, and 1 hippo, but I believe your best chance of unstressful tank will be to add them all at one time, if not once they are established it's going to be hard to introduce anything else.

 

[Dmorty217]

Odd numbers so one isn't constantly the brunt of the aggression

 

[Mikenroe]

So it looks like the condenses is that if i remove all the fish, I could add 3 of the same family, like a purple tang and 2 yellow to make 3 or an odd number. Or would it be better to go with something like a naso, or other form of tang.

 

[Dmorty217]

Naso is a bad choice for a 160g. 3 Zebrasomas that are the same general size would be best if that's the route you go

 

[Temeraire]

Purple Tangs can usually be very aggressive, especially to members of the same family. If you're going to take out all the fish and rearrange the rock work, I would add the purple tang in last. Good luck!