Small Acanthurus tangs

[wrgoff]

I really like the yellows. My concern is based on my stocking I have a bunch of yellow, and a bunch of orange. If I got the chocolate tang, that’s adding to the yellow. Plus then a yellow tang would be a bunch of the same color.

What dont you like about Purples?

I recently got a purple tang. I love him. Now with that said currently he is my only tang.. I have a rather large 240 gallon tank (8 feet long). And he is still small. I do plan to add another tang or two. I would love to get a yellow eyed kole tang or white tail Bristletooth tang (WTBT), along with some other one. I don't plan on having both a kole tang and the WTBT as they are both in the same family. ie both bristletooth tangs.

I love the fact that you are doing your due diligence and asking questions. I am the same way.

 

[OrionN]

One of the smallest, docile, hardest working and unique looking Acanthurus tang is the Acanthurus triostegus, the convict tang. Here is mine. Just a word of caution. These guys are not the easiest in term of getting them to thrive in your tank. If you are going to add one, add him first. Their spike is tiny comparison to other tangs. Very docile and eat every imaginable algae there are in your tank. He eats all day long. No one that that keep one, I know about, have anything bad to say about this species. Silver and black is a very unique in the tang world.

 

[OrionN]

For WOW and flashines, nothing beat a Acanthurus leucosternon. The down side to this tang, you already know. One should do OK in your tank but they are not the easiest tang to keep either.

 

[zwalter38]

For WOW and flashines, nothing beat a Acanthurus leucosternon. The down side to this tang, you already know. One should do OK in your tank but they are not the easiest tang to keep either.

I thought about a convict but in terms of looks they just don’t do much for me. Not that they are ugly looking just not my first choice. As for the PB I love them. Just not willing to risk getting a super aggressive one with the tank that I have. If I were to upgrade in the future, it would be to house a PB

 

[OrionN]

If you add a small PBT, last and let it grow up in the tank it should be fine. You need to give it plenty of food and have at least 2 feeding stations.
I always have PBT in all of my tanks. Never really have problem with them. Normally my fish have nori clips in the tank that does not go empty until late in the afternoon.

 

[skyrne_isk]

For my money, favorite Acanthurus tang is definitely the maculiceps . Not too pugnacious, and they color change rapidly depending on mood.

 

[zwalter38]

For my money, favorite Acanthurus tang is definitely the maculiceps . Not too pugnacious, and they color change rapidly depending on mood.

Never heard of that one before, from a Quick Look it’s seems like they get big…

 

[FernBluffReef]

I have a Desjardini Sailfin, Scopas and a powder blue in my 5’ 112 gallon display (143G total). The Sailfin is the largest and remains the boss, s/he likes to chase the powder and the powder blue actually seems to love the chase. I imagine at some point one of those may outgrow my tank. Hard to say. The Scopas is low man on the tier and a runt as a result and the environment may limit them some. It’s also clear, based on behavior, that eventually the powderblue will become the tank boss.

My point is I’m pretty happy with these three larger tangs in my 5’ tank which is a bit smaller than your tank and you seem to be considering smaller tangs such as bristletooths so I think I’d be more than comfortable

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[OrionN]

Never heard of that one before, from a Quick Look it’s seems like they get big…

Yup. A. maculiceps are huge tangs18+ inches in the wild, and likley 10+ inch in home aquarium (300-400+ gal range)

 

[zwalter38]

Yup. A. maculiceps are huge tangs18+ inches in the wild, and likley 10+ inch in home aquarium (300-400+ gal range)

Kinda what I figured based on some quick research

 

[skyrne_isk]

Kinda what I figured based on some quick research

My bad, all! I missed the “small” in the title

 

[kboogie]

One of the smallest, docile, hardest working and unique looking Acanthurus tang is the Acanthurus triostegus, the convict tang. Here is mine. Just a word of caution. These guys are not the easiest in term of getting them to thrive in your tank. If you are going to add one, add him first. Their spike is tiny comparison to other tangs. Very docile and eat every imaginable algae there are in your tank. He eats all day long. No one that that keep one, I know about, have anything bad to say about this species. Silver and black is a very unique in the tang world.

Thank you for the very useful information regarding Convict Tangs. I'll definitely keep this in mind!!!

 

[kboogie]

After seeing multiple comments about PBT's being "ich magnets", I feel compelled to express the value of "proper" quarantine with medication. If you are not doing proper quarantine, then all fish are ich magnets. I know not everyone has the space for a separate QT setup, but if you don't have the space, you really should find a LFS that will do a "proper" quarantine. If you have any questions regarding the definition of a "proper" quarantine, see the link below:

Current Quarantine Protocol

2024 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed, proactive quarantine process can effectively eliminate these...

www.reef2reef.com

If you are not following a "proper" quarantine, you are playing the aquarium version of Russian roulette.

If you follow good biosecurity you can focus on getting your new fish to eat and comfortable, versus hoping they don't get ich or marine velvet. Take it from someone who once believed that keeping good water parameters, stable temperature, and low stress was good enough. When you experience a $4K+ wipeout, you will find a way to "properly" quarantine your new fish going forward.

 

[bradreef]

In my im 170 I started with a timid bristle tooth, then a small purple and last a small powder blue. All thru 2 weeks of copper and they bicker here and there but get along overall. The only real conflict was the pb tang and my one spot for the first few days.

 

[bradreef]

My friend has powder blues in 5 tanks. Some are nicer and timid, some are jerks. Depends on order, individual personality, and competition. Only tang I wouldn't ever get is a clown tang.