Thinking about Fish

mpcart

mpcart

New member
Getting close to adding livestock to the new 240 and I need to start thinking about what fish to put in it. I'm a coral guy but the kids want fish.

The tank is 5' x 3' x 25"H.

Focusing on tangs to start -

If I want to be able to have a couple colorful tangs, what would be the targets and what order would I want to add them to the tank?

I've been trying to do some research and it seems that several are very aggressive and shouldn't be kept with any other tangs.

I have a 29G QT that I am going to set up and I'll add one fish at a time.

-Mike
 
My Fav has been the powder blue, Mine seems to be the jerk of the tank though so if you go that route I'd make him one of the last ones. I think also a healthy Achillies tang says "My Reef Rocks".
 
I don't have a particular favorite as they all look really nice. On the LA site almost all of them are listed as "aggressive towards other tangs" or they need a 250 or larger tank (I have a 240 - does that matter?)

I like the Orange Shoulder and Kole Yellow Eye and those seem to do okay with other tangs.

I really like the Clown and Naso and those are probably my favorites.

The PBT is great but can I have other tangs in the same tank?

I was at MS at lunch and they had a White Freckled tang that I really liked but I can't find any information on it.

Maybe I should ask this way - are there any tangs that you should absolutely avoid with a tank my size or if I want other tangs in the tank?

-Mike
 
t.priscu said:
My Fav has been the powder blue, Mine seems to be the jerk of the tank though so if you go that route I'd make him one of the last ones. I think also a healthy Achillies tang says "My Reef Rocks".
Click to expand...

That Achilles is a good looking fish - also expensive. Can you keep one with other tangs?

-Mike
 
Naso, Clown, and Orange shoulder are too big for your tank in my opinion as they all grow to be 14-18" in the wild. They will look cramped in that 5 foot tank. Take this for what it's worth, but trying to match the fish to the appropriate tank size creates a much more peaceful, stable tank. I know tangs are popular, and I have several, but the Sailfin and Orange Shoulder look quite cramped in my 375 gallon and their behavior confirms this.

There is a lot to be said for stocking smaller, colorful fish that fit a niche. This takes some thinking, but can be a lot of fun. Plus, you can have more smaller fish or a few bigger fish. Just some food for thought. If you just want recommendations for tank size, then the purple, hippo, powder, yellow, gem, kole, tominii, etc are all good choices.
 
mpcart said:
That Achilles is a good looking fish - also expensive. Can you keep one with other tangs?

-Mike
Click to expand...

I have never owned an Achillies myself, but I want to but I'm kind of stocked up on tangs at the moment for my 225.
I do keep my powder blue with other tangs and he does get along with them even though he's the boss, but only to the ones who were there before him. Any fish i have tried to add since, he beats up on for a while. Some have stuck it out and managed to become part of the reef, others I have had to remove.
 
With is only being a 5ft tank you will want to keep your fish size on the smaller side. As stated above tomini, yellow eye, yellow, etc. I probably wouldn't even go with the PBT. I'd start with your small fish fist if you are planning any small fish (clowns, wrasses, cardinals, etc.) Make your tangs the last ones. Achillies needs strong current and plenty of room, so depending on your aquascaping and amount of open room it might not be a good option either. Trust me I had a few fish in my 90 that got aggressive as they got bigger. There is nothing relaxing about your fish chasing each other around, nipping at fins, keeping one in the corner not allowing it to eat, etc. Just my experience.
 
Nanook said:
Take this for what it's worth, but trying to match the fish to the appropriate tank size creates a much more peaceful, stable tank.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I was asking - because I want to be responsible and stock the right fish. I'd like to identify a couple larger fish but don't want anything that would be unhappy in my tank.

I'll add the smaller ones you mentioned to my wish list.

-Mike
 
Nanook said:
then the purple, hippo, powder, yellow, gem, kole, tominii, etc are all good choices.
Click to expand...

+1

Do not post this question in the main forum, the Tang Police will come head hunting. Just keep in mind they like to swim so the need a lot of open room

I have a yellow and I like it. I think the Naso is a cool fish

I have heard a lot of people having trouble keeping powders.
 
hampmp said:
Aren't Achilles notoriously hard to keep?
Click to expand...

Yeah thats my understanding is that you have to have a very stable system for this fish. However if I was working on a fish list from scratch it would be a
Fish id consider. PBT are a little bit harder to keep as well than dome of the more common tangs but still doable and no where near the price of an achillies.
 
So the tank has cycled and it's time to make a fish purchase. Some questions:

I set up a 29G qt tonight with an HOB filter using a bio wheel that has been in my sump for 6 weeks and nothing else in the tank. Does a qt need to cycle?

Does the first fish need to go into the QT or can it go straight into the tank?

I'm going to wait until later to try any tangs but really like the foxface lo. Seems to be an easy to care for docile fish. Is this a good choice for a first fish in the tank?

I've been hitting a different LFS every few days at lunch to see what's around. Lots of good choices.

-Mike
 
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