First Fish Yellow Tang Instead of Clown?

[dimik]

Hi All,

I'm not sure if getting a yellow tang as my first fish is a good idea or not. I'm thinking of getting a small yellow tang instead of clowns as my first fish to help prevent the alge growth. Is this a good or bad idea? Also, I won't be putting more than 3 fish in my tank, maybe even less if I don't go with clown fish.

My tank is a 20gal vertical tank so if I get the yellow tang as a baby I'll have to get rid of it when it grows.

 

[G Santana]

I will be setting up my 120 soon and all I keep thinking of is yellow tang and purple tang. Years ago they were two of my favorites and I will get them again!!!

 

[NashobaTek]

My first fish in was this guy.

Pinnatus batfish, after the macroalgae and pods had been in the aquarium for a few weeks.
It's a whopping 1"

 

[rwreef]

I've always followed fish stocking with least aggressive /territorial (small) to most aggressive/territorial (large).

 

[dimik]

I've always followed fish stocking with least aggressive /territorial (small) to most aggressive/territorial (large).

The idea is to have the yellow tang and only the yellow tang with a few cleaning crew mates for 1-2months as the new tank cycles and then remove it

 

[Regular_Reefer]

I just went through the same contemplation, I went with a clown pair since from what I was able to gather the are more hardy and would help with setting the bio load up for future fish (food and poop etc..) and I could learn my water parameters without bothering them as much. My tank was fully cycled before adding them but there really was not any algae or stuff for the yellow to do as far as grazing and what not. I’m not saying the yellow is not a hardy fish this is just the route I was more comfortable with.

 

[Arabyps]

Clowns seem to be the "go to" for first fish. They are hardy, non-aggressive, fun to watch and relatively inexpensive to "seed" the tank. 20 gal is too small for a tang, even a small yellow. CUC for algae would be recommended once the tank is mature and has a food supply for snails and hermits so they don't starve.

 

[GQuinn]

My yellow tang is a bully. I am glad I added him last.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I leave yellow tangs to Aa well established tank although not necessary. Clowns would be my choice.