Best tangs

jda

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 25, 2013
Messages
14,342
Reaction score
21,757
Location
Boulder, CO
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Not enough people have mentioned this, but there are no 100% reef safe tangs. Every species has had specimens that will nip on coral a bit.

This tang does not do any real damage, but the parts of the coral that it nips on do not grow as fast as others.

 

4FordFamily

Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
20,508
Reaction score
45,793
Location
Carmel, Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
As far as tangs go, your options are very limited in a 55. A tomini should be fine, a yellow tang for some time. A small convict tang for a little while might be another option but they will all three outgrow it in 1-3 years.

Convict tangs are acanthurus tangs and require quarantine. In all honesty most fish these days do due to the horrific condition of the distribution system.
 

4FordFamily

Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
20,508
Reaction score
45,793
Location
Carmel, Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Not enough people have mentioned this, but there are no 100% reef safe tangs. Every species has had specimens that will nip on coral a bit.

This tang does not do any real damage, but the parts of the coral that it nips on do not grow as fast as others.


This is true. I’ve never owned a tang that nipped coral but it is possible in rare occasions.
 

Neo Jeo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 6, 2017
Messages
2,475
Reaction score
2,858
Location
East Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This is true. I’ve never owned a tang that nipped coral but it is possible in rare occasions.

Do you think a Tomini tang and kole tang can live together or due to the same family that will be a no?

Thanks
 

CindyKz

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
1,872
Reaction score
2,003
Location
Greenfield, WI
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a Tomini in a 4 ft tank. He uses the entire length, I wouldn't consider going shorter.
 

4FordFamily

Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
20,508
Reaction score
45,793
Location
Carmel, Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Do you think a Tomini tang and kole tang can live together or due to the same family that will be a no?

Thanks
It’s possible in a larger tank if added concurrently but almost certainly not in a 55.

As far as bristletooth tangs go, a Kole is one of the more aggressive, typically.
 

Neo Jeo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 6, 2017
Messages
2,475
Reaction score
2,858
Location
East Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It’s possible in a larger tank if added concurrently but almost certainly not in a 55.

As far as bristletooth tangs go, a Kole is one of the more aggressive, typically.

I have a 120G tank and my Tomini tang is VERY aggressive for a few days when adding new fish then he calms down. I have a yellow and a tomini tang, I wanted 1 more but I think a kole would be the best bet. I think a purple tang would be to aggressive. Or I just stick with my 2 tangs and get some smaller fishes ;)

Thanks
 

4FordFamily

Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
20,508
Reaction score
45,793
Location
Carmel, Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a 120G tank and my Tomini tang is VERY aggressive for a few days when adding new fish then he calms down. I have a yellow and a tomini tang, I wanted 1 more but I think a kole would be the best bet. I think a purple tang would be to aggressive. Or I just stick with my 2 tangs and get some smaller fishes ;)

Thanks
Adding a single tang to that environment is not likely to end well. They can and often to gang up on the newcomer. The only chance you have is probably an acclimation box. A Kole added to a Tomini that already shows aggression to newcomers is not likely to go well -- they're both bristletooth tangs and in direct competition for resources.

Here's an article I wrote on tang aggression, you may find helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/
 

Neo Jeo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 6, 2017
Messages
2,475
Reaction score
2,858
Location
East Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Adding a single tang to that environment is not likely to end well. They can and often to gang up on the newcomer. The only chance you have is probably an acclimation box. A Kole added to a Tomini that already shows aggression to newcomers is not likely to go well -- they're both bristletooth tangs and in direct competition for resources.

Here's an article I wrote on tang aggression, you may find helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/

Ok,
thanks for the info. Ill skip adding another tang then ;) My Tomini is a mean, mean boy!
 

Neo Jeo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 6, 2017
Messages
2,475
Reaction score
2,858
Location
East Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Adding a single tang to that environment is not likely to end well. They can and often to gang up on the newcomer. The only chance you have is probably an acclimation box. A Kole added to a Tomini that already shows aggression to newcomers is not likely to go well -- they're both bristletooth tangs and in direct competition for resources.

Here's an article I wrote on tang aggression, you may find helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/

So LA.com has a purple tang for $95! That guy our of the question right? He’s more aggressive right?
 

4FordFamily

Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
20,508
Reaction score
45,793
Location
Carmel, Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So LA.com has a purple tang for $95! That guy our of the question right? He’s more aggressive right?
I would not add any tangs to your situation due to crowding and the likelihood of the two resident tangs not accepting the newcomer.

In addition and very importantly — the yellow is in the same genus of tangs (zebrasoma) so in addition to a nasty Tomini the yellow is likely to viciously attack an incoming zebrasoma tang.
 

4FordFamily

Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
View Badges
Joined
Feb 26, 2015
Messages
20,508
Reaction score
45,793
Location
Carmel, Indiana
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So LA.com has a purple tang for $95! That guy our of the question right? He’s more aggressive right?
If you were to add more tangs, they’d have to be those that stay relatively small and add two more rather than one. No guarantees this would work, and it doesn’t account for space — but a purple and scopas, or purple and black, or purple and gem would give you better odds as aggression would be spread and the yellow wouldn’t choose one target over the other (likely) because they’re all of the same genus. I have mixed zebrasoma in my 180: yellow, purple, gem, and desjardini sailfin. I have mine packed full of tangs but a lot of time and preparing went in to that as well as adding them in batches.

As mine outgrow the 180, some will be moved to my 500 Gal 10 foot wall tank in my basement.
 

Neo Jeo

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 6, 2017
Messages
2,475
Reaction score
2,858
Location
East Michigan
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If you were to add more tangs, they’d have to be those that stay relatively small and add two more rather than one. No guarantees this would work, and it doesn’t account for space — but a purple and scopas, or purple and black, or purple and gem would give you better odds as aggression would be spread and the yellow wouldn’t choose one target over the other (likely) because they’re all of the same genus. I have mixed zebrasoma in my 180: yellow, purple, gem, and desjardini sailfin. I have mine packed full of tangs but a lot of time and preparing went in to that as well as adding them in batches.

As mine outgrow the 180, some will be moved to my 500 Gal 10 foot wall tank in my basement.

Alright, thanks for claiming me down! I’ll stick with the plan
 

Bradley Keck

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 6, 2017
Messages
290
Reaction score
232
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
For most tangs, the whole minimum water volume thing is very misleading. Powder blues (or browns) pace back and forth pretty incessantly, so tank length is more important than volume. In that regard, a standard (4'L) 55 gallon is not much different from a standard (also 4'L) 90 gallon tank. I've kept these fish in 4'L tanks, but never felt that it was good for them, and I'd consider a 6' long tank to really be the minimum to keep any acanthurus comfortable.

Tomini tangs (Ctenochaetus spp, sometimes called 'bristletooth') are IMO gorgeous fish, very active, and generally do well in smaller tanks. I'd still consider a 55g to be the minimum for any surgeonfish.
Indeed, same length for swimming, but volume is VERY important particularly in regards to bioload and O2 capacity. When we are talking about a species of fish that will likely reach a minimum of 6in, volume really does need to be considered not just length of the tank. Which in the case of comparing a 90g to 55g actually makes a pretty big difference. I was able to pack 30+ African cichlids into a 5ft 120g tank, but with saltwater, I could not even consider that due to O2 saturation of saltwater compared to fresh. So, one could argue that in the case of saltwater, it becomes even more important to consider your tank volume when planning your tank inhabitants.;)
 

Wandering Albatross

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 1, 2024
Messages
755
Reaction score
374
Location
Whidbey Island, WA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
As far as tangs go, your options are very limited in a 55. A tomini should be fine, a yellow tang for some time. A small convict tang for a little while might be another option but they will all three outgrow it in 1-3 years.

Convict tangs are acanthurus tangs and require quarantine. In all honesty most fish these days do due to the horrific condition of the distribution system.
My tomini is a fish-killing monster in my 5' 150g, responsible for the deaths of at least 5 pre-established non-tang species, suspected to have impacted more, and has to be rehomed.

Personality can play a role as well.
 

SeaWolf95

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2026
Messages
43
Reaction score
33
Location
US
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My tomini is a fish-killing monster in my 5' 150g, responsible for the deaths of at least 5 pre-established non-tang species, suspected to have impacted more, and has to be rehomed.

Personality can play a role as well.
wow nice necro

1769935046494.png
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

HOW DO YOU ADJUST YOUR CUC AS ALGAE DISAPPEARS?

  • Capture and re-home CUC

    Votes: 3 5.8%
  • Increase white light/hours in tank to spur algae growth to feed CUC

    Votes: 4 7.7%
  • Feed nori to support CUC

    Votes: 21 40.4%
  • Feed herbivore pellets to support CUC

    Votes: 15 28.8%
  • Allow attrition to balance CUC and algae

    Votes: 25 48.1%
  • Provide macro algae to feed CUC

    Votes: 6 11.5%
  • Introduce CUC predators

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Other (please explain)

    Votes: 4 7.7%
Back
Top