Which two tangs for my 180 gallon?

[tonypal85]

Im looking to add two tangs to my 180 gallon. I dont want any tangs that are very difficult to care for in my tank. Im kinda scared of blue tangs because I tried one out before and ich got the best of him . Here are some of the tangs I was considering:
Yellow tang
Blonde Naso Tang
Sailfin Tang
Purple Tang
Achilles Tang
Powder Blue Tang

Any suggestions, input, etc.. are welcome.

 

[yoboyjdizz]

Powder Blue/Purple or Yellow Tang Nice color don't get too big but i would add them towards the end of your stocking... I would rule out the naso and sailfin for their size and achilles for its lack of survival rate in the aquarium.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I have a 180 and went with the two spot bristletooth (Ctenochaetus binotatus) and the mimic tang (Acanthurus pyroferus). Not the most colorful choices but very hardy and relatively peaceful tangs and both species stay pretty small for tangs. Of your list I would think about the sailfin and naso, both of these get very large (my sailfin outgrew my 180) and both the achilles and powder blue are pretty touchy fish. HTH

 

[Monkeyfish]

IMO get a yellow and purple and introduce them to the tank at the same time.

 

[jjmatti]

If you have a 6 foot long tank I think the Purple, Yellow, and Naso will be fine. The Powder Blue might feel a little stressed though.
Stay away from the Achilles.. I have never heard of one doing well for long.
Take a look at a Powder Brown, Gold rimmed, or Sohal..

 

[thor32766]

purple and yellow, great fish. hardy and gorgeous, plain and simple.

 

[luvtolean]

I'd recommend pairing tangs of different bodyshape.

I have a black tang which is a zebrasoma, so no others (like a yellow or purple) and a newly added PBT.

There's practically no agression between the two.

 

[Horizon Canopy]

For ease of care, stay away from powder blue and achilles. The two easiest to care for would probably be the naso and sailfin. Both aren't that agressive as far as tangs go, and are good eaters. Only thing is, they both get relatively large.

 

[tonypal85]

So are the PBT pretty hardy? I would love to have a PBT and a Yellow Tang.

 

[luvtolean]

No.

 

[tonypal85]

Wait I meant Powder Brown Tang, not a Powder Blue Tang. I thought that the Powder Brown's were a bit more hardy then their buddies the Powder Blue?

 

[luvtolean]

Powder Browns really aren't any more hardy either.

White cheek tangs, which are very similar to powder browns, and are often mislabeled at fish stores are the most hardy of the three.

 

[tonypal85]

Also just thought about a Sohal Tang. I thought they were a bit hard to take care of, but on marinecenter.com it says, "Although this is one of the boldest members of the tang family, it is also the hardiest, easiest to keep of them all!!" Just wanted to see what you all thought.
Thanks for all the input so far!

 

[thor32766]

I would stay away from teh sohal, they gain great size very quickly.

 

[luvtolean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7486698#post7486698 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonypal85
Also just thought about a Sohal Tang. I thought they were a bit hard to take care of, but on marinecenter.com it says, "Although this is one of the boldest members of the tang family, it is also the hardiest, easiest to keep of them all!!" Just wanted to see what you all thought.
Thanks for all the input so far!

Beautiful fish...but I suggest you don't buy any more tangs.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

Sohals get large, too big for a 180 and are very aggressive as well. I think you would be fine with a powder brown and a yellow. The powder browns are hardier than the powder blues and much hardier than the achilles.

 

[tonypal85]

Cool, I think I may go with the Powder Brown and the Yellow Tang. Thanks for all input

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

I guess I should elaborate, I am refering to Acanthurus japonicus when I say powder brown tang, not the Acanthurus nigricans.

 

[Razzagas]

What about an orange shoulder tang?

 

[thor32766]

i have an orange shoulder and these fish are unbelieveable. He has got such character. Never stops moving. The orange shoulder and the kole tangs to me are two of the most underrated fish in the industry.