Multiple Powder Blue tangs

[New Jersey REEF]

Has anyone successfully tried keeping multiple powder blue tangs together?
I’m thinking of getting 5 but not sure if that is possible with their temper.
Thanks

 

[Hitman]

What size tank?
If it’s a large tank and they are introduced at the same time you have a much better chance at eliminating aggression.

 

[nereefpat]

What would be the tank size?

 

[New Jersey REEF]

1000 gallons, I currently have one in it for couple of months. Every time I turn lights off, he’s going crazy. Flying like a bullet from one side to the other. I think it’s because of reflection.
My thought here is to add 4-5 more so he don’t freak out other fish like that.

Also I was thinking about putting fish trap and getting him out before introduction of same kind. Then doing it all together.

Can’t seem to find anyone who may have hosted multiple of these beauties/ beasts.

Thanks in advanced for any suggestions

 

[Hitman]

That size tank you should have no issues. Great idea on taking the one you have now out and introducing them all at once. The one you have now I would keep out for maybe a week or so when your new ones are are about ready to come out of QT this way it would eliminate territorial behavior.

 

[Haydn]

Please don't try David Saxby in the UK I understand had to remove one of his 2 from his large system (tank details here). Even a 1000G system I feel will be too small to cope when they start to grow.

 

[Pbh-reef]

I think it could maybe maybe maybe work, but even 1000 gallons there will be aggression. @eatbreakfast and @4FordFamily and @ca1ore are the most likely to have experience with multiple powder blues or at least multiple tangs from the powder/Achilles group

 

[4FordFamily]

It is possible, but IMO more important than the total size of the tank, is the crowdedness of the tank. More powder blues in a smaller place increases your odds. However, this is obviously not good husbandry. So it's a risk, I think it a high risk.

I did get two to "pair" but they divorced within a month and in a few hours one nearly killed the other. I've quarantined groups of PBT in 4-5. I've had mixed success even with this in a 55 gallon tank. I've tried it with achilles as well. As soon as one of them appears "weak" the others will pick it badly and kill it quickly. They also single out the smaller fish.

I've read where people have kept several achilles together with what seems like 25-30% success in large tanks and 3+ -- but I follow up and hear that one or more have been killed out of the group. In short, I do not recommend this course of action. You'd need more than 5 in a tank that size to dramatically improve your odds, IMO. For my 500 gallon, 5 would probably be a decent chance of success, but I'd rather use that bioload for other fish.

 

[mort]

There seems to be an increasing trend in mixing these types of species and I have seen people with achilles and powder blue, or a mixture of the two. Whilst it can work, if sometimes only temporarily, I've always been of the opinion that a single one gives you the best chance of success and the best display. I've seen people post vid where they think they are breeding but they are actually fighting. They do pair in the wild but are aggressive for a reason and even in massive tanks seem happier solo.

The problem with yours flipping out when the lights go off might be because they go off abruptly, if so a gradual fading may work, or because it sees the reflection, in which case I think adding more will make things worse as you will have the potential for this behaviour throughout the day and not just when the lights go off. Dither fish or time may solve the problem for you.

 

[roberthu526]

In the wild powder blue live in schools so it’s definitely possible in aquariums. The thing is you probably need a large amount to avoid one on one aggression. This Redmond’s me of fresh water chicild tank: you keep the tank so packed that no fish knows who to chase. Even if they do, they get lost in seconds and can’t do damage. But in marine aquarium keeping that many fish can be extremely challenging.

 

[Haydn]

In the wild powder blue live in schools so it’s definitely possible in aquariums. The thing is you probably need a large amount to avoid one on one aggression. This Redmond’s me of fresh water chicild tank: you keep the tank so packed that no fish knows who to chase. Even if they do, they get lost in seconds and can’t do damage. But in marine aquarium keeping that many fish can be extremely challenging.

I'm sorry but no they don't live in shoals- they come together in aggregations when spawning and may congregate to take advantage of a temporary abundant food source but for the majority of the time it is solitary, territorial and aggressive to other surgeonfish. Unfortunately, in an aggregation they make good subjects for filmmakers.

 

[roberthu526]

I'm sorry but no they don't live in shoals- they come together in aggregations when spawning and may congregate to take advantage of a temporary abundant food source but for the majority of the time it is solitary, territorial and aggressive to other surgeonfish. Unfortunately, in an aggregation they make good subjects for filmmakers.

You are right I was mis led by videos popular on diving channel. Just did a bit of research and learned I was wrong. Thank you for pointing this out.

 

[mort]

You do see powders blues as pairs in the wild but that doesn't mean it will work in our aquaria. I don't know if this partnership is a temporary partnership or more longterm thing with mature individuals but do know it's one of the reasons that many other tang species need to form large aggregations in order to invade their territories. It not really any wonder why they are so aggressive when they need to defend their food source from a ravenous pack.

 

[New Jersey REEF]

Thanks for input folks, I appreciate it, don’t want to make a mistake adding something to the tank that I will later regret.
I am starting to rethink of adding multiple powder blue. What are some thoughts of having achilies tang with powder blue?

 

[Manics1]

Interesting ref Powder Blue and Achilies, l'm considering a Powder Blue and an A.Nigricans.
I currently have both fish, they're in separate tanks, l'm shutting down both tanks and setting up a new bigger tank, so both will go in at the same time, has to be the only way to do it.
I introduced a Purple Tang to the PB's set up a few years back, few days in a fish trap prior to intro, no issues at all.
If you do it let us know how it goes.

 

[clover128]

I'm sorry but no they don't live in shoals- they come together in aggregations when spawning and may congregate to take advantage of a temporary abundant food source but for the majority of the time it is solitary, territorial and aggressive to other surgeonfish. Unfortunately, in an aggregation they make good subjects for filmmakers.

I’ve seen this exact scene. They are peaceful and grazing together. Not for spawning. Obviously this does not equate to an aquarium. But don’t tell me that tangs, in general, don’t live in schools. They do. That said, keeping in an aquarium is totally different situation.

 

[vetteguy53081]

In the wild - yes. In a tank is a likely war

 

[nereefpat]

I’ve seen this exact scene everytime I go to Hawaii.

You've seen powder blues in hawaii?

 

[clover128]

You've seen powder blues in hawaii?

I regret it every time I post to these groups….Does it really matter where I saw them dude? ….or if it was me who saw them?…..or who took the picture? ….or the water temp? Picture says it all really. That was my point. Tangs school in wild.

 

[lefkonj]

You can do this but keep in mind the best way to keep fighting down is to feed. I have a 180 with 5 tangs in it, they are not the same species but they are fine as long as they have things to eat. If I cut back feeding they begin to fight