Have 1 Tang, adding 2 more?

[Jon Fishman]

Preface: I read the first post of the tang aggression sticky, and I found it very helpful but it left me with questions.

So, there are quite a few variables, and I may incite the wrath of the tang police, but here is what I am working on/towards as a potential stocking of my tank.

I have a 75g that I added a Powder Blue but not until I had put the construction of a new 8’ x 16x16 tank in place. Concerned about the tang’s ability to live ‘forever’ in a tank this size, but hopeful based on their shallow water tendencies in nature, and hopeful that length of tank compensates etc.

Now, reading the tang aggression thread I realize Powder Blues are one of if not the most aggressive, but also size-wise based on tank requirements I never planned on something like a hippo etc.

My hope now is to add a Powder Brown and a Kole. If it would be a VERY bad idea I would go Kole and Yellow but Powder Brown is definitely highest on my want list. I am certainly willing to re-home any/all 3 tangs if the tank proves unstable for them long-term.

Would adding a Brown and a Kole simultaneously during the move to the new tank be feasible considering the Blue wouldn’t be as territorial given the fact that all three would essentially be introduced to a new environment at the same time?

I currently have the Powder Blue in the 75 with a sharpnose Puffer, and 2 Flurry clowns. I am picking up a new tank today to make an Anemone tank, and move the clowns to that tank, and I would likely rehome the puffer so the new 8’ tank would house only the 3 tangs (plus CUC of course)

Again, I would re-home and replace every couple of years if necessary.

Can a 3-tang-only tank be done?

 

[WMR]

Yes, it’s “possible “ with the tangs you have listed, but only if you add the powder blue & powder brown simultaneously. There’s always the chance of aggression with the 2 powder tangs, give it a shot. Worse case, rehome the powder you don’t want to keep. You can go with the kole & yellow option too, three different genera. Powder blues can get aggressive though, good luck

 

[Jon Fishman]

They are all going into a new tank, so technically I am adding all three at once

 

[WMR]

They are all going into a new tank, so technically I am adding all three at once[/

As long as the tank is fully cycled, why not? Is going to be a reef or an “open” tank, a reef tank will definitely limit the swimming space of the powder tangs, which could be a factor

 

[Jon Fishman]

It will be reef, but I am heavily focused on Montipora and chalices etc

Bare bottom and heavy flow as well

 

[Jesterrace]

I would say yes, but I would wait until you are ready to have them go in the 8 foot tank. If you add the Powder Blue, Kole and another tang at the same time then I would say you stand a decent shot at success given the size of the tank. That said IMHO the Powder Brown and Powder Blue isn't the best idea given that they are nearly identical species of tang. It would be best to add another tang of a different variety such as a Zebrasoma Tang (ie Yellow, Purple, Scopas). That way you would have a Bristletooth (Kole), Zebrasoma Tang, Acanthurus (Powder Blue).

 

[Jon Fishman]

I could do Purple and Kole I guess. Purple carries a higher price tag unfortunately and my local shop always has browns and koles, but not purple. Yellows are always available and I don’t care much for most of the others.

I plan to add everything to the new tank at once, because I am tearing down the old tank and I was very hesitant of the powder blue in the 75, and was hoping it wouldn’t even be for this long!

 

[Jon Fishman]

Would having two algae clips, one on each end of the tank help at all, or would that be unnecessary?

Edit. They have an Orange Shoulder too right now, and I would be interested in a Whitecheek too I guess.....


It may depend on what other tang I can get at the same time as a kole

 

[Bob Weigant]

I can still see the powder blue and Brown going at each other

 

[WMR]

I could do Purple and Kole I guess. Purple carries a higher price tag unfortunately and my local shop always has browns and koles, but not purple. Yellows are always available and I don’t care much for most of the others.

I plan to add everything to the new tank at once, because I am tearing down the old tank and I was very hesitant of the powder blue in the 75, and was hoping it wouldn’t even be for this long!

If purples are too expensive, a yellow or scopas would be good. Yellows tend to be the more aggressive of the 2

 

[TARHEEL78]

@Jon Fishman I hope you don't take this the wrong way because I don't mean this to be rude. I think you should take a step back and decide what you actually want first. You shouldn't make decisions based on what the LFS had in stock. If you really want the powder brown rehome the blue and get tangs that will get along with the brown and add them together. Simple as that.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

As far as aggression goes, my 7" sailfin tang (tank boss) likes to bully new fish so he occasionally gets a 4 or 5 day timeout in the sump and when I put him back in my display all is well

 

[Jon Fishman]

@Jon Fishman I hope you don't take this the wrong way because I don't mean this to be rude. I think you should take a step back and decide what you actually want first. You shouldn't make decisions based on what the LFS had in stock. If you really want the powder brown rehome the blue and get tangs that will get along with the brown and add them together. Simple as that.

I “was” pretty set on the powder blue, brown and kole. Now I am just considering other options since it seems the blue/brown are a bad idea together. I already have the powder blue, so no matter what I add, it will remain in the stocking list