Tangs

[Saltpete]

Want to get some fish for my 90 and would like to get some tangs. Thought I read somewhere there is a limit to the amount? Is 3 to many in one tank?

 

[MCCOOL]

In a 90g tank, I would say yes, 3 is too many. I'd stick with one(and only one) of the smaller species (zebrasoma species, bristletooth species)

 

[TampaReefer79]

Want to get some fish for my 90 and would like to get some tangs. Thought I read somewhere there is a limit to the amount? Is 3 to many in one tank?

A 90 is too small for most single tangs, let alone 3. You can start by reading this sticky at the top of this forum:

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

 

[kmac]

One would be ok just avoid the few that grow very large.

 

[Seajuice]

I have a purple tang and Sail fish tang in my 90g, been together for at least 4 years.
Plenty of room. They're with 2 clowns and one mandarin.

 

[jon1985]

your sailfin must not be growing much, mine was well over 6" around in under 3 years. And the PT will very likl turn mean.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

your sailfin must not be growing much, mine was well over 6" around in under 3 years. And the PT will very likl turn mean.

Agreed. Likely stunted growth. Sailfins can reach over a foot when fully grown.

From RC's tang article:

Zebrasoma veliferum Sailfin Tang 240g 8' tank
Zebrasoma xanthurum Purple Tang 120g 5' tank

 

[MrTuskfish]

I have a purple tang and Sail fish tang in my 90g, been together for at least 4 years.
Plenty of room. They're with 2 clowns and one mandarin.

These are very hardy fish. Keeping them alive and really seeing them thrive are two different things. I'm not an over-active member of the tang police; but I've seen grown PTs in 4 foot long tanks and they just don't have enough room, IMO. My PTs are in an 8 foot tank and they cover the distance with a couple of fin strokes. I'm glad they seem to be doing well for you, but I sure wouldn't suggest it. There are sound reasons every respected source in the hobby suggests bigger tanks for these fish.

 

[snorvich]

These are very hardy fish. Keeping them alive and really seeing them thrive are two different things. I'm not an over-active member of the tang police; but I've seen grown PTs in 4 foot long tanks and they just don't have enough room, IMO. My PTs are in an 8 foot tank and they cover the distance with a couple of fin strokes. I'm glad they seem to be doing well for you, but I sure wouldn't suggest it. There are sound reasons every respected source in the hobby suggests bigger tanks for these fish.

Very well said. :beer:

 

[kmac]

What if he purchased the sailfin as a small juvenile. My sailfin is in an 180 had it bout a year and a half. He is super fat and he only seems to gain girth not so much length. Purchase size bout 4in

 

[snorvich]

What if he purchased the sailfin as a small juvenile. My sailfin is in an 180 had it bout a year and a half. He is super fat and he only seems to gain girth not so much length. Purchase size bout 4in

In your sized tank, it is less of an issue despite the RC recommendation for this fish (Zebrasoma veliferum, Sailfin Tang), of 240 gallons in an 8 foot tank. In one half your size, it is much more of an issue.

 

[Saltpete]

Thanks for all the info, think Ill stick with one.

 

[Lt.Shineysides]

yeah sticking with one will give u less problems in the long run, a small bristletooth would be cool i think, id stay away from the zebramosa, like the yellows and purples and sailfins? are sailfins in the zebramosa species as well? anyways id stay away from those because they have all gotten mean ime.