Tangs

[ThisCityIsDead]

Okay, so I recently upgraded tanks, and all I can say is WOW.

I was wondering how many tangs I can keep in a 125 G tank. I only have a yellow tang now.

These are the tangs I like, although I know I will not be able to get some because of their needs. The tangs with an * are the ones I'm considering in getting.

Powder blue *
Naso *
Blue Caribbean *
Purple *
Scopas*

Likes
Hippo
Achilles
Sailfin

How many of those can I add in my tank? Will 3 be okay? I do not plan on adding more than 3, but I've read that 3+ tangs in one tank will not fight but 2 will.

My thoughts as of now:
-Yellow
-purple
-scopas/powder blue/blonde naso


Also, can I add any of the tangs in my "likes" list if I get them small? To be honest, the tang I have now, yellow, pushed me and motivated me to upgrade, so I know this will push me to upgrade to a larger tank in a few months or year.



Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[reeferstace]

Start by looking here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

 

[ThisCityIsDead]

Start by looking here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

It only talks about, briefly, Achilles. I don't plan on keeping one for a LONG LONG LONG time. I actually don't plan on keeping most tangs that are considered "ich magnets"

My ideal tang list now is:

Naso
Yellow
Purple
Scopas

Opinions?

 

[BrianD]

Opinion:

Naso - no, much too large of a fish
Yellow - yes (I assume this is the one you already have, not another one)
Purple - no, not with the yellow
Scopas - indifferent

You don't have a Kole on your list. If I were adding another tang to that tank, it would be a Kole.

 

[nonstopfishies]

Agree that you will have a tough time adding a purple or scopas to an established yellow as they all are zebrasomas. The Naso gets huge.

Also agree that a ctenochaetus species would make sense. There are a few to choose from.

An Acanthurus that stays smaller and isn't an ich magnet could also work. Convict, Caribbean Blue, Mimic, etc.

 

[ThisCityIsDead]

Opinion:

Naso - no, much too large of a fish
Yellow - yes (I assume this is the one you already have, not another one)
Purple - no, not with the yellow
Scopas - indifferent

You don't have a Kole on your list. If I were adding another tang to that tank, it would be a Kole.

I was told, and have read, if the tangs are added at the same time, they can be okay. Since my tank is new and no fish are in yet, my yellow tang has not claimed a territory.

I actually like the Caribbean blue.

 

[BrianD]

I was told, and have read, if the tangs are added at the same time, they can be okay. Since my tank is new and no fish are in yet, my yellow tang has not claimed a territory.

Then I would just disregard the advice you have been given on this thread about multiple zebrasomas and do as you wish to do.

 

[BrianD]

/signing off this thread

 

[RealReef7]

I have a 3" yellow, 3" purple, 5" sohal and a 6" powder blue in my 120g sps tank. I am in the process of building a 8' 240, these fish love to swim. EVERY individual fish is different just like us.. my sohal is a complete chicken.. on the other hand my yellow is the most aggressive yellow tang i've owned. My powder blue for some reason hates my fairy wrasses. Good luck and keep a fish trap on hand.

 

[snorvich]

I was told, and have read, if the tangs are added at the same time, they can be okay. Since my tank is new and no fish are in yet, my yellow tang has not claimed a territory.

Sorry, that is not correct. However, it is clear you will do what you wish to do.

 

[RealReef7]

Also not sure what your experience is in this hobby but any of the Acanthurus species are challenging fish to keep.

 

[ThisCityIsDead]

Sorry, that is not correct. However, it is clear you will do what you wish to do.

No way! I'm done experimenting without any knowledge. I'll probably stick with only two tangs. My current tang and the kole. At least until I upgrade and gain more knowledge and experience in this hobby.

 

[RealReef7]

A kole tang is a great fish, i would try and purchase a fish slightly bigger than your current yellow tang.

 

[Patchmty]

My brother had a yellow, a purple and a hipo, along with some other smaller fish in a 40b and they all got along fine. Eventually they got too big and had to be found new homes

 

[ThisCityIsDead]

A kole tang is a great fish, i would try and purchase a fish slightly bigger than your current yellow tang.

My yellow tang is a mean creature. I wonder if naso tangs are ich magnets. I want one in the future.

 

[RealReef7]

Tangs in general are "ich magnets" i would QT.

 

[jjk_reef00]

A naso tang gets way too big for your tank. Please follow the recomendations in the link posted by referstace ....

 

[ThisCityIsDead]

A naso tang gets way too big for your tank. Please follow the recomendations in the link posted by referstace ....

I know. Which is why I mentioned "near future." I'll probably upgrade to a 250 within a year or so.

 

[3yellowtangs]

3+ zebrasomas together have been proven safe many times. Including in my 180 with a powder blue as we'll

 

[kegogut]

I just had a situation with a yellow and a purple.

I have an established yellow in my 225 and added a purple. The yellow was very aggressive towards the purple so I removed the yellow for a week. When I re-added the yellow it instantly became aggressive again towards the purple but by then the purple was healthy enough to fend so himself to a point.

After 3-4 days though the aggression stopped and they're getting along fine.

If you do decide to get more tangs I would suggest you add more than one at a time as to spread the aggression to more than one fish.