Tang advice

[Harpo]

I have some Caulerpa that I'm struggling to keep under control. My tank is about 100 gallons. I would love a purple tang but I understand they can be butt holes. How long before a purple would grow out of my tank?

Thanks

David

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'd say probably 3 inches in the first year, then about 2 inches per year thereafter, depending mainly on diet. So you'd have 3 years or so. However, I'd say that getting a fish with plans of either rehoming or upgrading to a larger tank is not optimal. With rehoming, ya gotta be able to catch it and with upgrading, life gets in the way more often than not.

 

[PharmrJohn]

And yes, they can be.......challenging.

 

[cloak]

Woops...

 

[Jshiloh]

I have a purple in my 120 and plan on keeping him until he dies of old age. And yes they can be butt holes. If you plan on any other tangs I would add the purple last

 

[Mike Sydney]

I have some Caulerpa that I'm struggling to keep under control. My tank is about 100 gallons. I would love a purple tang but I understand they can be butt holes. How long before a purple would grow out of my tank?

Thanks

David

I really doubt a Tang will eat Caulerpa

 

[Uncle99]

They can be aggressive towards others, but that largely has to do with who the “others” are..so example with purple I would not put yellow or vice versa.

I think that fish or even a yellow is fine in 100g.
I have a yellow 4 years in a 65g. Started at 2” and now, maybe 4.5” and growing has slowed significantly. Purples growth much the same, but he don’t like Mrs Yellow, so they live apart.

 

[Harpo]

what will eat my Caulerpa

 

[Mike Sydney]

what will eat my Caulerpa

Sea Hares, Crabs, Sea Urchins
I tried feeding it to my tangs, but they will not go anywhere near it, I think it is a bit too tough for them
I throw away a bucket of it a month from my sump

 

[Harpo]

emerald crabs it is

 

[fish_collector]

what will eat my Caulerpa

Your thumb and index finger will eat it right up.