Bruce Wayne
Member
I'm wondering what size tank will hold a powder blue, brown, and an achilles...thanks!
what size tank do you need for (2) Powder tangs?
- Thread starter Bruce Wayne
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ColaAddict
In Memoriam
you could go to liveaquaria.com to see tank requirements. All those tangs kinda are similar shaped, which could be trouble. ***Unnecessary comment.***
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geaux xman
New member
I think a lot of it is dependent on the individual fish and the rest of the livestock. In about month, I'll be taking my 5.5" PBT in QT and adding it to my DT that holds a 4" or so powder brown. I've a seen powder brown whip up on a yellow tang after being okay for several months, so its not always just similar shape and color.
The tough part is QT-ing the fish and prophylactic treating them all. Takes a lot of patience and time.
Wait until you have to QT that achilles, talk abut a headache and a half. If it was an easy to keep fish, a lot more people would have them and so would I.
The tough part is QT-ing the fish and prophylactic treating them all. Takes a lot of patience and time.
Wait until you have to QT that achilles, talk abut a headache and a half. If it was an easy to keep fish, a lot more people would have them and so would I.
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Bruce Wayne
Member
I know, I had a future fish list and had the 3 of them on there...I just want to know what size tank is big enough?
Bruce Wayne
Member
geaux xman, how big is your DT?
geaux xman
New member
my DT is 180g (60x30x23) with a 75g sump(probably filled with 50g of water).
Currently I have in the DT a blueface angel, emperor juvie, and a powder brown tang. all about 4-5".
my PBT in QT is about 5.5" and bigger than all 3 of the fish in the DT. I have a Chrysurus angel too with some more fish coming. I'm going to attempt the malawi effect, where as the tank is crowded thus the fish not developing any territorial issues.
as you can see, i'm very liberal when it comes to stocking. we'll see how it works out. if i have to remove a fish, so be it...
Currently I have in the DT a blueface angel, emperor juvie, and a powder brown tang. all about 4-5".
my PBT in QT is about 5.5" and bigger than all 3 of the fish in the DT. I have a Chrysurus angel too with some more fish coming. I'm going to attempt the malawi effect, where as the tank is crowded thus the fish not developing any territorial issues.
as you can see, i'm very liberal when it comes to stocking. we'll see how it works out. if i have to remove a fish, so be it...
Bruce Wayne
Member
I have a 225 (72" x 30" x 24") and I am looking for anyway to have both an achilles and a powder blue and/or powder brown...I have asked but as ColaAdict said so well several people on here say NO WAY! even though I hear nothing of personal experience with a 225 or similar...that is why my initial question was simply "how big of a tank is needed?" I have a hard time believing that a huge tank is needed but I may be wrong...My back up plan is to just have the achilles, a pyramid butterfly, and a blue jaw trigger...let me know what you think!
natebedwell06
New member
not sure on the achilles, but a buddy of mine has a powder blue and powder brown together in a 75, they have been in there together for months with no issues, they chased each other for the first 2 days and now they swim together and dont care at all about each others presence
Bruce Wayne
Member
so a 240 would do the trick? 8 x 2 x 2? I believe that...I have seen several tangs in 240s...it's the length?
Recty
New member
I'd want at least a 6' tank, preferably 8'.
My experience with multiple tangs is that if you get them all small, you'll be OK. They may squabble a little but not anything too bad.
However, once they turn into adults and get real territorial, you'll have issues even in big tanks. It may never turn into fights to the death, but it also may. I've never had 2-3" tangs get so serious about fighting that one is killed, but I've had large tangs get there very fast and I've had to remove the one who is getting thrashed.
So that's my two cents... not only does tank size matter (get the biggest you possibly can) but also the starting size of the fish matters. Get young tangs and hopefully as they grow up together they wont cause issues.
My experience with multiple tangs is that if you get them all small, you'll be OK. They may squabble a little but not anything too bad.
However, once they turn into adults and get real territorial, you'll have issues even in big tanks. It may never turn into fights to the death, but it also may. I've never had 2-3" tangs get so serious about fighting that one is killed, but I've had large tangs get there very fast and I've had to remove the one who is getting thrashed.
So that's my two cents... not only does tank size matter (get the biggest you possibly can) but also the starting size of the fish matters. Get young tangs and hopefully as they grow up together they wont cause issues.
Bruce Wayne
Member
I was thinking the aquascape would play a role as well...If and I stress "If" I decided to put two of the acanthrus tangs in together, which two would be the best bet?
Smitty1782
New member
Dont do it... It'll crash your tank.
;-)
;-)
29reef
It's all about the flow
Aquascape will have little to no difference. They can swim, they'll find each other unless you give them a large enough tank where they can coexist. Most tanks aren't even close for an adult tang, most are stunted and fight with other tangmates 
. Generally if you give them ample food and a decent size tank they will be okay. My suggestion would be a 8'x36" foot print; maybe as short as 20" tall. As mentioned earlier get small specimens and QT them all together. Likely a 60 will be fine for qt. And finally yes it can be done; the real question is are you lucky enough to get healthy specimens and have the time to keep them happy for the next 10+ years.
. Generally if you give them ample food and a decent size tank they will be okay. My suggestion would be a 8'x36" foot print; maybe as short as 20" tall. As mentioned earlier get small specimens and QT them all together. Likely a 60 will be fine for qt. And finally yes it can be done; the real question is are you lucky enough to get healthy specimens and have the time to keep them happy for the next 10+ years.Bruce Wayne
Member
Brian, you wouldn't try it with a 225 I am assuming? My 225 is a lot smaller than 8' x 36"...also, by QT I am assuming you also mean hyposalinity to get rid of ich...and what 2 of those 3 tangs would you try together? I def want to have fish for the complete duration of their natural lives...I have seen as I'm sure most people have tangs among other fish way overstocked in small tanks that everyone knows won't last...that is not my goal...what do I need for it to last? If I have to, I will just have to get a bigger tank one day, I can't imagine the cost of a tank that size, but I guess I'll start saving now...
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29reef
It's all about the flow
Okay so if the tank size is a given 8'x24"x24". I suggest you still can try all three; you'll just have to lighten the load of other fish. Think of the qt not as a medical tank, but more of an observation tank. You can fit all the fish in there, observe how they behave towards each other. Get them all fat and happy. Remove any troubble makers to a separate smaller tank and try reintroduction after a few weeks. Also you can medicate easily in this smaller tank. This system works well for new fish; they should be kept in this tank separate from the dt for a month minimum!
In order to make it last you need to have a passion for this hobby and free time. That's all it takes.
The tank is the cheap part, it's what you choose to do with it that's expensive
I also want to warn you that the three fish you've chosen are very territorial and not very nice. Beautiful to look at but normally not very nice towards newcomers.
In order to make it last you need to have a passion for this hobby and free time. That's all it takes.
The tank is the cheap part, it's what you choose to do with it that's expensive
I also want to warn you that the three fish you've chosen are very territorial and not very nice. Beautiful to look at but normally not very nice towards newcomers.
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Bruce Wayne
Member
what about a 225? (72" x 30" x 24") That is what I have and am building...I realize that the 15 gallon difference doesn't mean much but the 2 foot difference does...do you think that lowering the salinity to ensure that the tangs are ich free is not a good idea?
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Three tangs is one thing; three tangs in the Acanthurus genus is another. Its the classic individual fish thing; fish in this genus generally don't like each other. I kept an Achilles and a PBT together, in a 240. for many years. The tolerated each other, but the little nips and attitude never stopped. Never any real damage, but I don't know how they would have handled a 3rd fish of the same genus. Maybe a war and maybe just spreading the aggression around. With Zebrasoma tangs, two is usually a problem, but 3 or more often works; maybe the same thing would apply with your 3 Acanthurus ---then again, maybe not. Get small ones and introduce them at the same time (if you can find a way to QT) and i think it may work.
Bruce Wayne
Member
wow, so 3 could be better than 2? That is music to my ears, I must say...I love these 3 fish...
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