Tangs, Tangs, Tangs...

[Segundo]

This thread is in response to the <A HREF="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=739380">"What tang for my 30G?" sticky</A>.

I hope that there are no concerns to adding a follow up to that thread. I really think that it states some very good guidlines for introducing tangs into your aquarium.

Personally I have a Yellow, Purple, and Hippo Tang in my 120gal reef. Stated in the same pecking order. They get along nicely. At one point I tried introducing a Powder Blue, to no avail. He was roughly the same size as my Yellow or "Alpha Tang". This was before the Purple and Hippo. I removed the Powder Blue (sold him back to the LFS), choosing the Yellow because I have had him a long time and decided he had senority. Hard decision because the Powder Blue, to me, is one of the most beautiful fish I have seen. When the decision came to introduce yet another tang I chose a juvenile Purple tang, about half of the size of my Yellow, it worked out well. Because of the size difference the pecking order was immediately established. And later, the Hippo was introduced, a bit smaller than the Purple, I had no problems with them fighting for rank in my 120.

Lately I've been considering adding a Clown Tang, but after reading the <A HREF="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=739380">"What tang for my 30G?" sticky</A>, I feel I should reconsider. I've read that they are an agressive species, and combined with my other tangs I'm not sure I have enough room.

I guess I'm not really asking any questions for myself, but more for all the others with tang questions that aren't answered in the <A HREF="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=739380">"What tang for my 30G?" sticky</A>. And also, to hopefully promote responsibilty when choosing to add Tangs to your aquarium. Although its often hard to make the decision, I believe in the end it pays off to do your research and choose what is healthiest not what is desired/beautiful. And yes, sometimes the two coincide. Don't fret, all the things you learn will make a big impact when setting up your next tank, and allow you to make the proper accomidations for what you find beautiful.

The questions here are...

What about the introduction of several tangs? How does that affect the guidlines stated in the <A HREF="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=739380">"What tang for my 30G?" sticky</A>?
Does the recomended size of tank increase when considering multiple tangs?

And are these good guidlines when introducing multiple tangs to one aquarium?

1. Try to introduce them at the same time, so that none have previously claimed territory.
2. Try to vary the size, so that the pecking order is easily established.

 

[johnnybravo234]

I think the size theory is true.. Ive had my hippo for years and hes been the dominant fish. I added a powder brown that was a little bit bigger than him fearing a little bit for him. Boy was I wrong. He made the hippo his B&*CH within 10 minutes. The powder brown will be taking a trip back to milford next weekend.

 

[EdKruzel]

Of course the addition of another tang or any other fish will result in the need for a larger container.

Your 120 is less than ideal for the Yellow and the Purple Tang, but will suffice to sustain them.
The Hippo will far outgrow a 120; the fortunate aspect is that they grow at a slow to moderate pace.

Hobbyists that have/had the opportunity to observe tangs (and other large shoaling fish) in what's considered the minimum requirement and then in very large systems will attest to the difference in social behavior.
Observation in the wild will actually shock someone that considers Tangs as aggressive; their speed, grace and the area they cover while grazing may deter one's desire to keep one in captivity.

Ed

 

[Segundo]

Luckily enough, early next year I will buying a new house that will hopefully accomidate a 350 gal or so reef. I'm sure my tangs and there future tankmates will be pleased.

 

[thor32766]

To throw in to your research, what I have learned. Tangs are the cows of the ocean, all day long they graze. So you have animal that has a high metabolism and a vegetarian. Being both they have to eat alot. So what happens in the home aquarium is most people feed them once a day. Its like feeding a kid once a day, what is he doing to do? Be cranky. Thats what alot of tangs become in the home aquarium. This is why alot of people cant keep multiples of them, because the aggression becomes an issue. There are other contributing factors, but this doesnt help much.
So if you want tangs and mulitiples, my research has shown to feed them. I feed my tangs their greens everyday. Along with feeding them atleast two times a day. Keep them fat and happy and it will help with keeping your tangs happy.

 

[Asuran]

yes, i would have to agree a well fed tang is a happy tang... but there are some that are just plain jerks. each fish is different so that is why a combination might work for one and not for others.

 

[Serioussnaps]

Size doesnt always apply....I had a purple tang at one time that got way to aggressive in my old 90G and was bullying my Copperband Butterfly among others so i traded the purple to the store.

The LFS guy said he was putting him into his 240g where the 'pecking order" was established and alot of the tangs were larger than my purple. My purple was very thick but not overall large...kind of like a purple on roids....he claimed he would get "pecked in the pecking order" and i told him no way...he came back next day to find 2 yellows, a mimic tang dead...the senior blue regal all tore up(regal survived)

some fish display aggressiveness and territoriality far more than others.....kind of like pit bulls if you ask me

 

[Segundo]

I can see where Ed's point comes into view.

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8167656#post8167656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EdKruzel


Hobbyists that have/had the opportunity to observe tangs (and other large shoaling fish) in what's considered the minimum requirement and then in very large systems will attest to the difference in social behavior.
Observation in the wild will actually shock someone that considers Tangs as aggressive; their speed, grace and the area they cover while grazing may deter one's desire to keep one in captivity.

Ed

I agree and would go one further perhaps to add that a LFS here in Houston has a 40,000g tank with some large yellow tangs and it doesn't take much observation to see that they would really be even better off with more space. BTW, there is a flame angel in there too and I'd say that 40,000g is quite adequate for this fish

 

[FishNutzBoi]

Angel, can you please give me more information about that LFS please? I live in Houston too

 

[Earl45]

For anyone looking to get a clown tang:

My newly added 1.5" clown tang is a pretty feisty fellow. He's already staking out a piece of the reef system I have and nudging my peppermint hogfish and my much larger anthias out of the way. He's not scared a bit of anything in the tank.

 

[rekn]

beware of ocean going fish. imo i thinks its inhumane to keep animals like that in captivity. like spadefish and whales...no matter the size tank they are made to exist in a huge environment

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8181049#post8181049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishNutzBoi
Angel, can you please give me more information about that LFS please? I live in Houston too

Aquarium World - Hollister@ 290 www.aquariumworld.net

They are a little more expensive than some of the other stores - but I try to use them when I can - they feed good frozen food to the for sale fish and keep employees long term - they try to be conscientious