Purple Tang Compatibility

[knappe]

I have a 120 gallon high (60x18x26), which has tons of rock work. I'd say 250 (?) lbs stacked into a wall 1.5' tall. The hippo is very happy with the current configuration of the tank with plenty of places to hide and open water to swim. My question is if I can manage to fit another larger tang into the tank. I'd like to add in a purple tang*, but I'm not sure if I'm then asking for trouble. Most compatibility charts would say no because putting two larger tangs together can lead to aggression, especially when they're not added simultaneously. However, I'm not entirely convinced that this wouldn't work given the size of the tank, the amount of rock work available and how passive blue hippo tangs are in general.

What is in my display tank?
- Large blue hippo tang
- Medium clownfish
- 1 adult Sapphire damsel
- 1 large yellowtail damsel
- 1 medium chromis
- 1 six-line wrasse
- 1 adult Banggai Cardinal
- 1 adult Pajama Cardinal
- 1 adult pink spotted watchman goby
- 1 Green mandarin

I'm very likely to add in some saltwater mollies that I'm currently raising from fry (we'll see as it is a high flow tank).

So, am I asking for trouble? Has anyone been able to keep them together?

* Why a purple tang? Because my wife loves purple.

 

[xxoczukxx]

Hippos and purples in general can live together but if the hippo is large and grown and has established his territory he may get aggressive to the newer purple when its added.

I would also be wary just due to the tank size. 5 foot tanks are a bit on the small side for large hippo tangs in general so adding more larger tangs may make it difficult in terms of moving space

 

[skey44]

Hello, I have a purple and Hippo tang and they get along fine and I’ve had good experiences in the past with these two getting along because they have different body types. I would recommend quarantine to prevent adding a parasite to your display.
You will likely have to turn the lights off at introduction to avoid severe territory disputes, but they should get along ultimately. You may want a lager tank for the hippo tang eventually. I’m in an 80 gallon and planning a larger tank in the future.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Personally I would give it a try. An acclimation box could help.

 

[Tangdora]

Should be fine.

 

[KrisReef]

Listen to your wife, and get an acclimation box for the fish introduction.

 

[winzig]

I agree that you should get a box for introduction....unless they are all added together
I have a yellow purple and hippo added at the same time that play very nice.
beautiful fish

 

[knappe]

I should mention that I'm also eyeing a Bistletooth tang for pretty much the same reasons.

 

[knappe]

Hippos and purples in general can live together but if the hippo is large and grown and has established his territory he may get aggressive to the newer purple when its added.

I was concerned about this being an issue, but this Hippo seems to be VERY passive. I watched it get bullied by a bi-color blennie which was at best 1/10th it's size AND added later. I should also mention that this was absolutely hilarious.

I would also be wary just due to the tank size. 5 foot tanks are a bit on the small side for large hippo tangs in general so adding more larger tangs may make it difficult in terms of moving space

Yeah, this is probably my biggest concern. I'm pretty maxed out in my space and can't realistically go bigger. Plus, my wife would kill me -- I'm running more tanks than she expected (4, 5 if you count the sump as she does).