Tang???s

[E_rock]

I know adding multiple tangs too one tank is tricky business. And I see all your amazing tanks with 2 or 3 tangs. I was wondering if you added them all the same time "like the book says"? Or is it possible to add them at different times.

I have one smaller scopas tang. And would love to have another, not sure what kind or if its even possible with only having a 90 gallon tank. Just wondering if there are any other tangs that would work out in my tank. Or for that matter any other fish you could recommend.

Other fish: pair of tomato clowns(rather aggressive), and 3 large chromis.

 

[fishman1234]

Do it!!

 

[Randy15]

Your best bet would prolly be a tang of a different shape and slightly larger than your current. Just my .02

 

[Randy15]

Always a risk tho. No guarantees. Good luck

 

[albano]

I have 16 tangs...in various tanks, many added at different times...IMO, the key to adding them with no/minimum problems is using an acclimation box (when they're done with QT)

 

[TomBONAIRE]

So, do you keep them housed in the acclimation box until they feel "welcomed"? Generally speaking, how long does that take?

 

[albano]

So, do you keep them the housed in the acclimation box until they feel "welcomed"? Generally speaking, how long does that take?

Not "welcomed" as much as "ignored"... It's good if the old fish are not that concerned with the new arrivals !
Usually 2 days in box, then released minutes before lights out...

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

It's "possible". Some people even break the rules and have 3 - 4 in a tank that size or slightly larger. But it's not always wise and in the long run you'd need an upgrade for sure.


In much larger tanks, it's always been my strategy to add all the Tangs at once and it always worked for me.

However
In the 90, I'd only go for 1 additional tang at the most. That plays it safe for space and growing room and other smaller fish can make up some more of the moving community. Research and stay away from all the larger growing ones. No Acanthurus species. You'll have problems if you don't plan on an upgrade when needed. A Tang might decide for you depending on it's growth and "possible" aggression with age/size increase & as space starts to become more cramped.

You've already got the Scopas. Not sure how long you've had him? But if he's somewhat established.. the following are just my suggestions.
(not what you have to stick with. But play it smart) I'd only get 1 additional tang unless you really want to upgrade sooner than planned and stay in the similar or smaller growing Tang category.

If your looking for something more colorful now, perhaps a Yellow. I'd stick with something around the same size and add it last to your tank(especially if your going with something a little more aggressive than scopas) Yellow and scopas are very similar. But Yellow is still more aggressive IMO sometimes. Though I have had puppy dog yellows too.

A Bristle tooth Tomini tang might be a smaller size option. (but again, not as colorful. only a little more colorful than scopas)

A Kole or yellow eye tang might be an option. It may be more aggressive than Scopas though. But if you ad last you should be ok.

An Orange shoulder Tang might be an ok match.

Possibly a Zebrasoma veliferum Sailfin. But not the Desjardini.

Chevron tang is small and as a juvenile is attractive. But turns ugly plain with age.

There are some other interesting smaller tangs rarer and harder to find that may do ok in 90.

Bigger possibilities:
A Blue regal or Hippo really gets too big for a 90.. But then again may be really nice for quite a while as long as you plan a future upgrade. It is colorful and different shaped. (awesome fish but does get aggressive with size and age and can be an ICH magnet even during Quarantine)

A purple tang (yeah expensive) really needs a larger tank. But again, if you plan a future upgrade it might be possible- adding 1 last to this 90.

Maybe at last a powder brown tang... possible. But other than that one I'd avoid any of the other larger tangs. Tank would be at least eventually too small for them.

1 last tidbit that always worked/helped me too.. The lights out thing. I ad any new arrivals to my display after lights out for the night.

 

[cardiffgiant]

IME, Scopas can be more mellow than other zebromosas, but I wouldn't add multiple zebramosa in a 90. I've had very good luck keeping ctenochaetus with zebramosas, and currently have one of each swimming together in my 90. You could try a tomini, kole, or chevron.

I would steer very clear of any of the acanthurus in a tank that size.

 

[E_rock]

Thanks for the information I have a much better idea of what I am looking at now.

I have had the scopas for a few months now. Seems to be doing fine. My only concern with him is that he won't eat nori sheets. But will eat just about everything else I give him:seaweed extreme pellets, flake, spectrum pellets, mysis and formula 2.

Not 100% sure what an acclimation box is. I am assuming its like a specimen container with holes in it?? Maybe

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Never saw a Tang that didn't at least eventually take to seaweed/nori sheets.

But you can "try" to soak them in Garlic before clipping in the tank. Some "attractant" like that "may" entice him to try the nori. There's really not much benefit to the garlic other than "attractant". I don't use any myself. But it might work.

You should also soak the nori in a vitamin supplement such as Selcon, Vitality, or Vitachem. It helps enhance diet-health and give the fish extra nutrients. Many people find it to be helpful in keeping hille from occurring on Tangs.

Either way, it definitely does not hurt only helps to use it. Even if your Scopas does not end up taking to Nori eventually, (which I find strange in the long term trial) you should at least treat the water daily with a dosage of selcon, vitality or vitachem. The fish will absorb it in the water through gills and the skin. I've found this stuff to be harmless to all the corals I've ever kept and good for the fish. Especially Tangs.

 

[Spartan]

I've had great success with multiple tangs for quite a while. You have to have a tank large enough as others have said. I think to add them all at once is ok but in practical terms very difficult. Make a plan and add least aggressive 1st. If your going to add something more passive than a scopas like a blue tand, then try for one larger than your scopas. Likewise, avoid similar size in same genera - ie if you decide to add another zebrasoma spp. get one bigger than your scopas. Avoid aggressive tangs such as clown or sohal. I'm sure there's other opinions but this worked extremely well for me. Had a yellow, desjardini, blue and vlamingi together for years. Cheers!

 

[tmz]

Two zebrasoma( purple, yellow, scopas, salifin et lia) are a bad bet in a 90 gallon ,imo particularly with a scopas. I have one in a 12O;abut 5 years ,fat healthy and nicely colored . it's fine with the Foxface and the other fish but I have not chanced another tank in that tank.

This is what Scott Michael says about them in "Marine Fishes",pg 391"...One of the most aggressive zebrasomids and very territorial, especially toward other members of this genus....",and

"...a proper herbivorous diet will help retain halthy colors and prevent head and lateral line erosion." I feed some nori every other day; just 2 1x 3 inch strips ; the scopas and teh foxface gobble it up in 5 minutes, a little spirulina flake is eagerly taken and meaty foods too.

This is the RC chart re: tangs and recommended tank sizes tank sizes, fyi:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

90 with a Scopas and you wanna add another Acanthuriid

90 with a Scopas and you wanna add another Acanthuriid

hmmm.

Maybe a large purple or yellow.

Personally, I wouldn't add any Acanthurus or Naso species... or a hippo.
You could do a small hippo but it will get way too large for a 90.

Have you considered a Rabbitfish/ Foxface?

 

[E_rock]

I went to ARC today, and asked them. Its interesting that different people recommend opposite sides of a situation. I guess everyone just has there own experience. And every fish is different.

He told me in the store that a larger zebrasoma yellow, purple or a sailfin would be okay for a few years until they outgrow the tank. He also recommended trying to grind up some of the nori in the flake food then try the garlic if that doesnt work.

I have considered a foxface. On liveaquaria there listed as reef safe with caution. Any issues in your experience?

So whats an acclimation box?

 

[BuffaloReef]

Rabbitfish have poisonous spines. I don't think the poison is as potent as certain other fish (i.e. deadly) but it would be a bad idea to find out.

As for "reef safe" it looks like it depends on the individual fish: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1454180

Rabbitfish seem to be treated like distant cousins by tangs. The closer the relation the worse the aggression usually is. Though some are mosty left alone like bristletooths.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I went to ARC today, and asked them. Its interesting that different people recommend opposite sides of a situation. I guess everyone just has there own experience. And every fish is different.

He told me in the store that a larger zebrasoma yellow, purple or a sailfin would be okay for a few years until they outgrow the tank. He also recommended trying to grind up some of the nori in the flake food then try the garlic if that doesnt work.

I have considered a foxface. On liveaquaria there listed as reef safe with caution. Any issues in your experience?

So whats an acclimation box?

I don't know who "he" is but ARC employees (and Randy!) are well trained. Your scopas is a Zebrasoma species.
If you want to bring in a yellow or purple it should be a larger fish. There will be some initial squabbling that should lessen over time. I would NOT introduce any Sailfin into a 90 because both species get too large for a 90.
I'm not a fan of garlic for anything other than my home made sauce.
A Foxface is the automatic choice here, IMO.
The best Foxface choices: magnificent, two spot or good 'ol bright yellow "regular" Foxface. There is a Fiji Foxface (also called a bicolor Foxface) that is EXTREMELY kewl but you don't often see them for sale.

 

[Landolakes]

Mmmmmmmmm(sauce)

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Mmmmmmmmm(sauce)

:lolspin:

 

[Landolakes]

I would do foxface over another tang always, they are a lot less aggressive but I would check it out at the lfs before buying it as some seem to be easily spooked. I handled hundreds in a long pet trade career and about every tenth one seemed to be extra jumpy which would set of other fish sometimes. I have been stung by them and though it burns a little I was fine every time (don't ask why more then once).