Amount of tangs.

Trickdout69 · Jun 29, 2015

I'm really new to this and have a question. I recently visited a few different aquariums and seen a few different tanks loaded with tangs. These tanks were larger tanks one I believe was 500g or so and the others were larger. The question is I seen that they have so many beautiful tangs in one tank all getting along and look happy. Then I read that too many tangs will not get along. I have a 210g tank and would like to put a few of the same fish in it like a few hippo tangs and stuff. Would that be ok. Thanks for all the advice

4FordFamily · Jun 29, 2015

You will get completely different advice. My 2 cents is that if they're smaller tangs, added roughly at the same time, and your system is and remains ich free, you can pretty much do whatever you want if you have several tangs to spread aggression. I break nearly every tang rule there is, but I also have a lot of experience, I have a plan B when an issue arises, and somewhat know what I am doing.

For example I keep two powder blues together. They're also with an Achilles and powder brown tang. No issues. But the real reason I think it works for me is I got them at the same time, they're all pretty small, and I have several other tangs, too. Chevron, purple, Sohal, Desjardini Sailfin, and yellow. Lots room to "spread" aggression.

The other thing to realize is that tangs are nitrate factories. They pollute your water heavily. With lots of tangs comes expensive skimmers and other filtration, frequent water changes, and vigilant quarantining to prevent illness.

I don't recommend people do what I have pulled off. What I didn't tell you is that I've had to sell a few tangs that were problematic to find more docile specimens to get along. It's not been a bump free ride.

ca1ore · Jun 29, 2015

I largely agree with the prior post. Tangs are inefficient feeders so will need to be fed a lot to be kept healthy. You do the math. I keep five in my 265. I may ultimately add a sixth (a Naso that is in my grow-out tank). I see tanks with lots of Tangs too; but how stable are they? It's easy to throw a bunch of fish into a tank and shoot a video. How about a year later?

goldy26 · Jul 1, 2015

i have a 150 and plan on having 3 total. personally i have seen more success with odd numbers and adding them at the same time. some other, very general, guidelines are to avoid same body types, color schemes, and species. but as pointed out by 3FordFamily, there's always an exception to the "rule." best advice is to do your research on the fish you want and come out with a list that you want to add. good luck!!!

Reefing Madness · Jul 1, 2015

I've got a 240g and only have 4, granted one of them is a Vlamingii thats over a foot long, but, thats all I have in mine. I don't they are inefficient eaters, nothing wrong with my tank or the numbers.

shred5 · Jul 2, 2015

One thing that help some too is not having tangs of the same type.. Making sure they are not of similar body shape can help. This is pretty much the same for all fish though..

The real key too is they have to be added at the same time.. If not they will single out the one.. The bigger the tank the more you can throw out the rules.

The hard part with multiple tangs is getting them past ich.

4FordFamily · Jul 2, 2015

shred5 said:
One thing that help some too is not having tangs of the same type.. Making sure they are not of similar body shape can help. This is pretty much the same for all fish though..

The real key too is they have to be added at the same time.. If not they will single out the one.. The bigger the tank the more you can throw out the rules.

The hard part with multiple tangs is getting them past ich.

Yup I am quarantining mine all together and then running them through TTM on top of qt in cupramine.

jack89 · Jul 3, 2015

nice post....

my tank is roughly 200+ gallon. I am planning to keep 6 yellow tang and 1 purple tang... the tank will be lightly stocked other than this ...... what are your thoughts ??

have read at many places that they show aggression but introducing everyone at the same time reduces the aggression. I have a yellow tang at the moment but its in the sump waiting for its mate to come in and then ll introduce everyone together.

4FordFamily · Jul 3, 2015

jack89 said:
nice post....

my tank is roughly 200+ gallon. I am planning to keep 6 yellow tang and 1 purple tang... the tank will be lightly stocked other than this ...... what are your thoughts ??

have read at many places that they show aggression but introducing everyone at the same time reduces the aggression. I have a yellow tang at the moment but its in the sump waiting for its mate to come in and then ll introduce everyone together.

If small you'll probably be fine. Add them at the same time for best results.

jack89 · Jul 3, 2015

yup.. searching for the small ones all around same size... and ll add at same time...

4FordFamily · Jul 3, 2015

jack89 said:
yup.. searching for the small ones all around same size... and ll add at same time...

Wouldn't it be more aesthetically pleasing to mix them? Maybe mix zebrasomas?

Try maybe 3 yellows, one or two purple, a scopus, a Sailfin, and a Desjardini Sailfin?

A vendor here hotreef (hotreef.com) has a yellow scopus tang available currently that is pretty neat. Slightly sifferent yellow than a yellow tang and has a longer nose and slightly different shape. I've never liked scopus much but they would be cool in a Zebrasoma themed tank!

If money is no object a black tang would be a cool addition!

4FordFamily · Jul 3, 2015

Plan on moving the Sailfins out in a couple years because they grow faster than the others. The regular Sailfin grows the fastest IMO and IME. That said it would be worth it and they're not much more expensive. I think hotreef may have a purple tang and Sailfins also!

Great vendor with a warranty and inexpensive shipping!