What tangs can I keep

[cfgenesis]

Currently I have a yellow tang in a 72 gallon bow front. Are there any other tangs I can keep with him in a tank this size?

 

[nsmith_mma]

It depends on what other fish you have in your tank. Typically, the purists will tell you that you should only keep one tang in a tank that size but it might not be too bad to put one more in there like a mimic or a kole...just something that doesn't require a ton of swimming room and won't fight with your yellow.

But first things first...what other fish do you currently have in your tank?

 

[somethingphishy]

one tang in a tank that size is your best bet

 

[somethingphishy]

and im sure someone will chime in and say no tangs for a tank that size....not that I agree though

 

[Genetics]

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

 

[cfgenesis]

Well I am glad I asked rather than just doing it. How long does it take a tang to become fully grown? I have had mine for about five months and he is still only 3 1/2" long. Seems like he hasq plenty of room so far and gets along with his roommates which consist of:

Flame angel
Clown fairy wrasse
Lyre tail anthias
Purple firefish
Royal gramma
Two true percs
Two green chromis

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

That sounds like a fair amount of livestock for the tank size. I would allow for growth and definately wouldn't add any more livestock, especially a tang.

 

[BEEKER1]

I wouldn't add any other tangs but I do not agree you are at capacity for fish. If you want color maybe add some other wrasses etc.

 

[davocean]

That's a pretty good load you have now, especially if you have more than one Lyretail anthias as most do.
Keep in mind, the heavier the bioload, the more of a chance of stress or issues, as well as claiming of territory which that alone would make it tough for another tang.

 

[cfgenesis]

I do not intend to add too many more fish. I would like to add one on the friendlier dottybacks, maybe an indigo or springeri, and maybe a mandarin if I can convince myself that he will have enough to eat.

 

[hvacman250]

I would agree that you do not need to add any more fish. You are overloaded now IMO, and need to allow for growth.

FWIW, you have more fish in a 72 gal than I have in a 100 gallon.

 

[katspaw]

wow, please oh please do not place a mandrin dragonette to the mix. I had one in my 255 gallon and he lived very nicely, but I had a 50 gallon refugium attached with a huge pod population. I had a total of nine fish in the tank. A wrasse is going to fight over the same food the mandrin eats. So your little 72 gallon tank will not keep both of these fish alive for very long. I actually wouldn't buy anymore fish. I have a Zero Edge 53 TVS now and I only plan on 3 maybe 4 fish...but they will be well thought out and I won't be adding a tang. Right now that includes a clown, a firefish and a scooter blenny. And I haven't even bought a single fish for it yet....tank is cycling. But still please research and think before you buy more.

Tracey