Do I have room for another tang

[larrysaltisfun]

This is my 210 gallon 6 foot system. I eventually want to expand it to a mixed reef right now. They’re about 18 frag’s. I’ve got six tangs Scopas purple, Sailfin, Kole powder, brown, and blue hippo I have two dwarf angels a watanabe and a magnificent fox face

total of 10 fish. I would like to add a seventh Tang , namely, a Biota yellow.

Nitrates are 22 phosphates about .1 do you think I have room to put in another Tang and call it quits at 11 fish or am I already pushing it ?Currently, they are between four and 5 inches in size.

 

[Uncle99]

I think the sailfin is not going to like that choice.
Always a crap shoot with multi tangs.

The captive bred biota is very small.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

Yeah, so far I’ve been lucky with the Zebras, the Scopas went in first followed by the purple than the Sailfin the latest edition was always a little smaller than the current inhabitants .

The powder brown although he is amazing mild is the tank boss and I always put in a mirror to keep him occupied for a few days whenever there’s a new addition.

So you thought isn’t that there would be overcrowding. ,Rather a potential for innate aggression.?

 

[larrysaltisfun]

I think the sailfin is not going to like that choice.
Always a crap shoot with multi tangs.

The captive bred biota is very small.

Are the captive breads, more timid? I know he would have to be grown out for several months as they state they’re about 2 inches when shipped.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Nice collection of fish you have there. Me... I think I would be concerned that the one 'extra' Tang might be the tipping point that causes it to become an unhappy place.

 

[exnisstech]

I have 9 tangs in my 7ft 330. My latest addition was a hippo that I kept in observation for a year. Partly because i wanted it to grow out and partly because I was afraid of upsetting the harmony in the tank. It all worked out and none of the other tangs even pay attention to the hippo.
I have a feeling a baby yellow in your tank may not be so lucky with your gang. The biota babies are small when shipped. I have 3 that I grew out for a few months and they were the first fish in the tank. I left them in alone for a couple of weeks before I started bringing over the other tangs one at a time.
I don't mean to sound negative but I think your tank will get very interesting in a few years if not sooner. Fish behave so much differently after a few years in my tanks.

 

[areefer01]

Invest in a sizeable acclimation box. Not small, not overly large, but invest in a acclimation box. It is your friend. Bonus points if it has a trap door such that you can attach a fishing lead, sit remote, and bait a fish in if you need to.

You have 210 gallons on paper. You do not have 210 gallons of available swim space. Substrate, rocks, equipment, need to be factored in and what is left is water.

You mentioned wanting to add another tang but you already have six. Your target is the Yellow Tang which is from Biota. So will arrive small. 1.5" to 2" unless you get lucky and it is somewhat larger. It will just depend. Of your list you already have an established Zebrasoma with the Scopas. If it is anything like mine it will go bat crazy over it. Mine does with its reflection. Let us pause that for a spell and note you also have a Purple. Another Zebrasoma tang. So far I am not feeling it for a juvenile Yellow tang but it is hard to say.

Ok, next up is your reef structure if you will. It is a new tank for the most part, not established with colonies (at least what I can tell via the video). I do not mean this negatively but rather stating there is no coral growth to break chase, forage, hide, sleep in, etc. My Blue Tang for example sleeps wedged in one of my Acropora colonies. Go figure. I mean I see this while scuba diving also so must be a norm for them. Anyway my point is that it is sort of bare. Each of the fish you have need space. They need it to sleep, retreat, chill, and forage. The Scopas, Purple, all forage for similar food. The Yellow will also. Salfin will probably also forage for similar. That leaves you the powder brown and blue doing their things and the kole, bristletooth, doing its. They will all hit the nori clip though. So two clips at a minimum if you don't already have it is a must. In my opinion.

I am not here to say yes or no as that is none of my business. If you see by my reply I'm working through my thought process on what I would do if in a similar situation. Because of the Scopas and size of the Yellow I personally would not. Also I'm a bit jaded in that I also have a 210 gallon mixed reef going on 10 years of age and speak from experience with potentially large fish. It isn't worth it.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Having many tangs, I personally would hold while things are peaceful. Tangs do squabble and need space and hiding requirements and they have potential yet for growth

 

[slingfox]

One thing you should consider is leaving room for a fish that will eat aptasia such as a Copperband or Australian Stripey.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

I have 9 tangs in my 7ft 330. My latest addition was a hippo that I kept in observation for a year. Partly because i wanted it to grow out and partly because I was afraid of upsetting the harmony in the tank. It all worked out and none of the other tangs even pay attention to the hippo.
I have a feeling a baby yellow in your tank may not be so lucky with your gang. The biota babies are small when shipped. I have 3 that I grew out for a few months and they were the first fish in the tank. I left them in alone for a couple of weeks before I started bringing over the other tangs one at a time.
I don't mean to sound negative but I think your tank will get very interesting in a few years if not sooner. Fish behave so much differently after a few years in my tanks.

Thanks for your advice . Will probably hold off. I would assume another Kole/ brisltlrtooth could also add stress then

 

[larrysaltisfun]

Invest in a sizeable acclimation box. Not small, not overly large, but invest in a acclimation box. It is your friend. Bonus points if it has a trap door such that you can attach a fishing lead, sit remote, and bait a fish in if you need to.

You have 210 gallons on paper. You do not have 210 gallons of available swim space. Substrate, rocks, equipment, need to be factored in and what is left is water.

You mentioned wanting to add another tang but you already have six. Your target is the Yellow Tang which is from Biota. So will arrive small. 1.5" to 2" unless you get lucky and it is somewhat larger. It will just depend. Of your list you already have an established Zebrasoma with the Scopas. If it is anything like mine it will go bat crazy over it. Mine does with its reflection. Let us pause that for a spell and note you also have a Purple. Another Zebrasoma tang. So far I am not feeling it for a juvenile Yellow tang but it is hard to say.

Ok, next up is your reef structure if you will. It is a new tank for the most part, not established with colonies (at least what I can tell via the video). I do not mean this negatively but rather stating there is no coral growth to break chase, forage, hide, sleep in, etc. My Blue Tang for example sleeps wedged in one of my Acropora colonies. Go figure. I mean I see this while scuba diving also so must be a norm for them. Anyway my point is that it is sort of bare. Each of the fish you have need space. They need it to sleep, retreat, chill, and forage. The Scopas, Purple, all forage for similar food. The Yellow will also. Salfin will probably also forage for similar. That leaves you the powder brown and blue doing their things and the kole, bristletooth, doing its. They will all hit the nori clip though. So two clips at a minimum if you don't already have it is a must. In my opinion.

I am not here to say yes or no as that is none of my business. If you see by my reply I'm working through my thought process on what I would do if in a similar situation. Because of the Scopas and size of the Yellow I personally would not. Also I'm a bit jaded in that I also have a 210 gallon mixed reef going on 10 years of age and speak from experience with potentially large fish. It isn't worth it.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Man, what a well thought out reply , no negativity gleaned. Thanks for your honesty and opinion I think I will heed your advice.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

Having many tangs, I personally would hold while things are peaceful. Tangs do squabble and need space and hiding requirements and they have potential yet for growth

Thanks Vette!

 

[larrysaltisfun]

One thing you should consider is leaving room for a fish that will eat aptasia such as a Copperband or Australian Stripey.

Thanks, unfortunately my copperband didn’t make it. I have gotten a lot of great advice from you in the past including clams for him, , and how to feed him with a copper band feeder and I also bought a VeeGee refractometer after talking to you I’ll have to rely on my peppermint shrimp who I never see any more during the day to keep aiptasia at bay . Sounds like the Tang guys have all suggested my tank is maxed out fishwise

 

[i cant think]

This is my 210 gallon 6 foot system. I eventually want to expand it to a mixed reef right now. They’re about 18 frag’s. I’ve got six tangs Scopas purple, Sailfin, Kole powder, brown, and blue hippo I have two dwarf angels a watanabe and a magnificent fox face

total of 10 fish. I would like to add a seventh Tang , namely, a Biota yellow.

Nitrates are 22 phosphates about .1 do you think I have room to put in another Tang and call it quits at 11 fish or am I already pushing it ?Currently, they are between four and 5 inches in size.

If I’m being completely honest, I’d say if you’ve got to ask, there probably isn’t room.

Don’t forget, whilst these guys may be small now, they do grow in a matter of months. I have a Desjardini Sailfin in an 8 foot coral tray, he went in around February time only about an inch long and 1.5 inches tall, he’s quite rapidly become 3.5-4 inches and is now the same size as the other Zebrasomas in that system (Purple and Scopas).

Ive also got 3 regal tangs (one in each coral tray) and you wouldn’t believe the size the largest one is. She’s over a foot long, and if the system wasn’t an open 8’x3’ frag system, I’d be rehoming her (but so far due to the large open swimming room, she’s still largely happy).

Also, if it’s all peaceful now, I’d steer clear of another tang, as they mature they’ll start squabbling more as the hierarchy changes. And even just adding one can sometimes result in wars breaking out between your current tangs.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

This is my 210 gallon 6 foot system. I eventually want to expand it to a mixed reef right now. They’re about 18 frag’s. I’ve got six tangs Scopas purple, Sailfin, Kole powder, brown, and blue hippo I have two dwarf angels a watanabe and a magnificent fox face

total of 10 fish. I would like to add a seventh Tang , namely, a Biota yellow.

Nitrates are 22 phosphates about .1 do you think I have room to put in another Tang and call it quits at 11 fish or am I already pushing it ?Currently, they are between four and 5 inches in size.

If I’m being completely honest, I’d say if you’ve got to ask, there probably isn’t room.

Don’t forget, whilst these guys may be small now, they do grow in a matter of months. I have a Desjardini Sailfin in an 8 foot coral tray, he went in around February time only about an inch long and 1.5 inches tall, he’s quite rapidly become 3.5-4 inches and is now the same size as the other Zebrasomas in that system (Purple and Scopas).

Ive also got 3 regal tangs (one in each coral tray) and you wouldn’t believe the size the largest one is. She’s over a foot long, and if the system wasn’t an open 8’x3’ frag system, I’d be rehoming her (but so far due to the large open swimming room, she’s still largely happy).

Also, if it’s all peaceful now, I’d steer clear of another tang, as they mature they’ll start squabbling more as the hierarchy changes. And even just adding one can sometimes result in wars breaking out between your current tangs.

Yes, I’m agreeing with everyone now. .As the tank is doing well it’s like being a kid in a candy store. I’m sure. “Now I want this Tang” lol. I’m now sure Iasked the question because I mustve thought I was maxed out and was looking for a different answer.

Let alone these guys can ALL live over 15 years if cared for properly.