Tang Stocking Order

[reefervanwinkle]

Hey guys/gals

The two spot bristle tooth and yellow tang (2" and 2.5") will be added first, and after that i'm curious what people think for order of aggression and the best order to add the next few tangs would be. I've heard people say to add the last 3-4 tangs at the same time while they're small (3" or less) and i've also heard to add at different times in order of aggression. What's the general consensus on this type of stocking order..

the 4 additional tangs are:

powder blue
achilles
naso or blonde naso
desjardini sailfin

thanks, I appreciate your opinions on this

 

[SPotter]

Everyone is going to ask this....what size tank?

 

[reefervanwinkle]

Everyone is going to ask this....what size tank?

sorry, totally forgot to mention, it will be a 230

 

[ca1ore]

I've owned all these fish at various times, in various sizes, added in different order and tend to think it doesn't really matter all that much. Much more important, IMO, to be adding a 'conditioned' fish that has been fattened up in QT for a while; and that there is adequate space.

 

[Fishmas]

I have just set up my tank and started with a yellow tang. Added a royal gamma tang would not leave it alone. Added a cleaner wrasse (nice looking fish) and the tang has a new friend. Yt spends all its time trying to get the cleaner to do its thing. Yt also has slowed down and is not racing spot to spot in tank. My lfs always suggests a cleaner wrasse with tangs as they claim it keeps them healthier. Not sure if its true but with the number of tangs you plan on a few of these guys probably would not hurt.

 

[reefervanwinkle]

Thanks for the responses guys, always appreciated! I'll definitely be doing a proper qt to fatten them up to a healthy specimen before introducing. It's going to be a slow and steady process so no worry there. Also, Thanks for the information on the cleaner wrasse. Cool fish too!

 

[ca1ore]

My lfs always suggests a cleaner wrasse with tangs as they claim it keeps them healthier. Not sure if its true but with the number of tangs you plan on a few of these guys probably would not hurt.

Poor advice from your LFS. I would imagine it's based on the incorrect assumption that the cleaner will somehow help to control common skin parasites like ich - it won't. Cleaner wrasse isn't an easy fish to keep and most do not survive.

 

[Fishmas]

Did not make claims about disease free. The wrasses constant presence seems to occupy tang. Tang appears less neurotic. Good mental health. Possible its presence is familiar.
Not sure about hard to keep. Eats everything that goes in for food. Even pellets. Guess we will see.

 

[ca1ore]

Well, YMMV of course, but in the 28 years I've been keeping tangs I've had them with cleaners and had them without. Guess what? It makes no difference to the health, longevity and perceived emotional state of the fish. My advice to the novice reef keeper is not to have one. Just about all the vendors list the cleaner as a difficult or expert only. As they're in the business of selling fish I doubt they'd be making it up.