Tangs for 180?

[mattgumaer]

I have a 180 and think I'm likely in my last phase of fish adding. I would like to add 2 or 3 tangs if possible. I just put a yellow tang in quarantine so unless that was/is a major mistake, that will be one of them. I currently have:

1) two percula clowns
2) three Barletts anthias
3) three lyretail anthias
4) a fairly large fox face
5) a fairy wrasse
6) a flasher wrasse
7) a yellow clown goby
8) a shrimp/goby pair (I think, I hardly see them)
9) a mandarin
10) a copperband butterflyfish

As I said above, I just put a yellow tang in quarantine (very small compared to the fox face and maybe about 1/2 the size of the copperband). I am also partial to kole tangs. For a potential second or third tang, I'm also thinking about a powder blue or brown. I like the look of the purples but I've read they're mean, even by tang standards. I'd welcome any thoughts about the choices and stocking order or whether I should try to add all at the same time. So far, I've had no major aggression issues and I'd like to keep it that way, if possible. Thanks.

Matt

 

[pyithar]

ime, the kole tang is less aggressive than the yellow tang. so adding the kole tang after the yellow tang might become a problem. i think it'll be best to introduce both tangs (or all 3 tangs if your're getting a PBT as well) into the display at the same time.

 

[mattgumaer]

Thanks. That is sort of what I thought. The guy at the LFS suggested the kole was likely to be more aggressive than the yellow (although he also recommended at the same time). I realize this may be heresy but, a lot of the time I will add fish from Divers Den directly to the display so I may time a DD order so that other tang(s) will arrive when the yellow is ready to move.

Matt

 

[Theoj]

IMO i would stay away from powder blues simply cause IME they are so susceptible to ich. have you looked at getting a chevron tang? they are bristle tooth tangs so very similar to koles so id suggest adding them at the same time. also have you looked at sail fins?

 

[Marshall O]

Thanks. That is sort of what I thought. The guy at the LFS suggested the kole was likely to be more aggressive than the yellow (although he also recommended at the same time). I realize this may be heresy but, a lot of the time I will add fish from Divers Den directly to the display so I may time a DD order so that other tang(s) will arrive when the yellow is ready to move.

Matt

Two thoughts on this: first, as already mentioned usually Yellow Tangs will be more aggressive than Kole Tangs. My Kole Tang is by far the most peaceful fish in my tank. Second, always QT new fish, especially Tangs, even from DD! They can be carrying parasites just like a fish bought any where else.

 

[pyithar]

i agree with Marshall O. i would quarantine every fish including the ones from Divers Den.

 

[snorvich]

. . . edited . . . Second, always QT new fish, especially Tangs, even from DD! They can be carrying parasites just like a fish bought any where else.

If you do not quarantine, at some point you will be very, very sorry.

 

[mattgumaer]

Ok. If I need to quarantine, can I quarantine multiple tangs at one time in my quarantine setup assuming the tangs are relatively small at the time of purchase? It's a standard 29 gallon tank. Do people generally treat tangs even in the absence of signs of disease and, if so, with what? I do have enough stuff now in my 180 that any major disease introduced would be a nightmare.

Matt

 

[Stevenliu9]

Agree with everyone here, and personally I've learned to stay away from anything Acanthurus until (if ever) I have a very very large tank simply with the size and aggression from most of them. Powder blue/powder brown is a no no they are ich fest. And agree if anything Kole tang goes in before Yellow, or at the very least same time. Other "less aggressive" tangs you can explore are tomini, or blue (paracanthurus hepatus).

 

[mattgumaer]

IMO i would stay away from powder blues simply cause IME they are so susceptible to ich. have you looked at getting a chevron tang? they are bristle tooth tangs so very similar to koles so id suggest adding them at the same time. also have you looked at sail fins?

I'd like to try to stick with somewhat smaller tangs. Even in a 180, I think a fish that might reach a foot or close to it would look (and likely feel) cramped.

Matt

 

[Nanighan]

Ok. If I need to quarantine, can I quarantine multiple tangs at one time in my quarantine setup assuming the tangs are relatively small at the time of purchase? It's a standard 29 gallon tank. Do people generally treat tangs even in the absence of signs of disease and, if so, with what? I do have enough stuff now in my 180 that any major disease introduced would be a nightmare.

Matt

Ive quarantined tangs as big as 3inches in a 10g tank for a few weeks with no issues, and I usually dont treat till something comes up. What I do is a quick freshwater dip for 15-20 sec before going in to quaranitne, and another dip before going in to the main display.

 

[snorvich]

Ive quarantined tangs as big as 3inches in a 10g tank for a few weeks with no issues, and I usually dont treat till something comes up. What I do is a quick freshwater dip for 15-20 sec before going in to quaranitne, and another dip before going in to the main display.

And what is the freshwater dip supposed to do?

 

[Theoj]

I think there aimed towards external flukes, whenever i've done a FW dip on a fish with flukes normally they drop off.

 

[snorvich]

I think there aimed towards external flukes, whenever i've done a FW dip on a fish with flukes normally they drop off.

Yes, that is a good way of diagnosing flukes. However in the post above where it is used as part of a quarantine protocol, it would do nothing other than diagnose flukes.

 

[Theoj]

i assume with the correct diagnose of the presence of flukes they can there for be appropriately treated within the quarantine facility.

 

[snorvich]

i assume with the correct diagnose of the presence of flukes they can there for be appropriately treated within the quarantine facility.

Of course, which would explain the initial freshwater dip before putting the fish into quarantine. However, he did a freshwater dip before moving to the display tank; that would do nothing.

 

[Theoj]

I see your point, I guess it's just another aid to try and put ones mind at rest

 

[mattgumaer]

Thanks everyone. So, what's the consensus on whether to dose cupramine, prazipro or others in quarantine in the absence of visible signs of disease?

Matt

 

[pyithar]

two rounds of prazipro and cupramine for tangs. but nowadays, people use tank transfer method and observe for one month.

 

[anbosu]

You may have some aggression issues between the foxface, copperband, and yellow tang.

I think you'll be ok, but they are similar enough you might have some problems.

A Kole would be a great addition, and I think the mimic tangs Acanthurus pyroferus does well in aquariums of that size and is less aggressive than mose Acanthurus.