why does everyone have a yellow tang?
- Thread starter know-it-all
- Start date
Weatherman
New member
I agree with you 100% on the Foxface. Very ugly fish.
The other rabbitfish are a bit better, but the ones like Doliatus and Virgatus are still kind of freaky looking with the blue shades in their eyes.
In spite of the freaky look, they are great algae eaters.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
Yellow tangs are easy to keep, widely available (and relatively cheap), striking in color, and very active fish. To each their own, but to me that is a pretty good combination of features. Plus, it's cool to watch them slurp chaetomorpha like spaghetti. I don't have one personally (powder blue is where I've started the new tank), but I will probably add one eventually.
Agree that being different for difference's sake is a fool's paradise -- I certainly wouldn't choose a Seaclone skimmer over a Deltec just because everyone is buying Deltecs now.
Agree that being different for difference's sake is a fool's paradise -- I certainly wouldn't choose a Seaclone skimmer over a Deltec just because everyone is buying Deltecs now.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
I also agree that watching pods with a flashlight is an outstanding way to spend an evening -- I need help.
fittdog8848
New member
weatherman? Does your rabbit fish pick on or eat any corals in the tank? I have read on this site alot about rabbit fish, I am just concerned that they will start eating my corals.
brettandlyndi
New member
I have a Yellow Tang, and it is the favorite in my tank. They are really one of the most recognized saltwater fish in this hobby, for many many years now, and very hardy, IME. Really bright coloration also makes this one a favorite.
fittdog8848
New member
gkarshens------I used to have a powder blue and it was a little Pri*&. But than again so are the yellows.
Weatherman
New member
Not so far.
It is, however, just tearing through the dictyota and rhodophytes (the red algae on the rocks in the background of the picture) like crazy. I expect most of those algae to be nibbled down to stubs within the next couple of months. I feed it Spirulina Formula to make sure it gets enough vitamins, since the rhodophytes, especially, are not particularly nutritious.
There is always a risk that a tang or rabbitfish will eat soft coral. My Powder Blue likes to eat Xenia of all things.
know-it-all
New member
Well I can see this is a divided issue.
I just don't want to believe that they are that cool of a fish.
I just don't want to believe that they are that cool of a fish.
not getting something because its 'common' or 'too popular' is very immature. every other reason mentioned 'not that cool a fish, want something else, etc." are completely valid. i will probably end up getting one...now that i know they are not common any more...since everyone stopped getting them since they were common....:rolleye1:
know-it-all
New member
if everyone was jumping off a bridge, would you? :rollface:
I understand the tangs in general
they are great to watch, and always out.
but there are more choices than the Hippo and Yellow.
jgoodrich71
Premium Member
To be honest, yellow tangs are the fish that sparked my desire for a saltwater tank. But, I just find it really boring to have a yellow tang, a hippo tang, and a pair of oscellaris clown.
techigirl78
New member
No yellow tangs here. I have a canary fang blenny, midas blenny, and yellow clown goby. All bright yellow. There's also the yellow assessor and yellow "coris" wrasse. Just for those few posters mentioning what other small yellow, reef safe fish are available. Thought about getting a yellow tang, but I already have yellow in my tank.
know-it-all
New member
Hey techigirl, you need to get yourself to a WRS meeting.
next one is Feb 11th, (east side)
but yes, there are many choices for yellow beside the yellow tang.
techigirl78
New member
Hope to soon. Talked to Steve about it awhile ago, but then things came up.
