Tang compatability

[reefking807]

I have a powder blue tang right now. I want a half black Mimic Tang also.
I have a 120g lots of hiring spots but I don't know that these guys will together.

 

[Reefing Madness]

The PBT might give him a chase the first few days but should leave him be once he gets used to him.

 

[reefking807]

I'm wanting to get the halfback small so maybe it won't be as bad.

 

[cpayne015]

do not get him too small as he could bully him to death....I would add in odd number so I would have 3 and add the other two together....that is the way I always have done it and no problems

 

[davocean]

The PBT is going to be territorial to any new tangs, and if it is much smaller it may be too much bullying.
I do kinda get what Cpayne is saying, though I don't take stock in any odd/even number of anything, more than one new comer would spread the bullying around, but in a 120g that would be a lot of tang.
I have a 150g and only keep one tang myself, and my thoughts are if you are having good luck w/ a PBT, wouldn't push it.
You are borderline on tank size for that tang as it is.

 

[ahtatt]

I had heard somewhere it was sketchy to add two types of tangs that were the same type (acanthurus and acanthurus, or zebrasoma and zebrasoma) and from what I have seen, I would agree with this. I would also be cautious housing tangs that look similar in size, color and shape.

However, I have a half black mimic tang like the one pictured, and a blochii acanthurus. They never paid attention to each other, but I'm uncertain why. Possibly because it is a mimc? idk.
IMO i would say better safe than sorry, and just keep one tang, as the "king of the tank"

 

[Reefing Madness]

I've got
Vlamingii Tang ( Acanthuridae )
Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum)
Mimic Tang (Acanthurus pyroferus)
Yellow Eye Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
None of them bother each other at all.

 

[davocean]

I've got
Vlamingii Tang ( Acanthuridae )
Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma veliferum)
Mimic Tang (Acanthurus pyroferus)
Yellow Eye Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
None of them bother each other at all.

You also have a tank that is twice the size of OP's, big difference.

 

[Kworker]

I wouldn't, PBT's are notoriously territorial. There are plenty of other tangs that are not in the Acanthurus family of tangs. Especially since a 4 foot tank is not relatively long for a good amount of tangs.

Look into bristle tooth tangs. I love my tomini tang. A lot of people love kole tangs. There are many species in the bristle tooth family and they for the most part stay relatively small except for the only one off the top of my head is a Chevron which gets to a decent size.

A good bit of info that would be good for us to know too is how large your PBT is. You would want to add a tang that is at least the same size as he is, but optimally larger.

A yellow tang would be nice as well. What is the rest of your stock?

 

[Reefing Madness]

You also have a tank that is twice the size of OP's, big difference.

Not really, he's only wanting 2.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

PBTs are mean. I wouldn't try another acanthurus.

 

[davocean]

Not really, he's only wanting 2.

So then would it be ok to have only one large tang in a 60g tank?lol
You have what, 8' of swim space?
That is what the big difference is, they can get away from each other, and they have that swim freedom that tends to cool their jets.

 

[TJ's Reef]

I have five Tangs in my 60x24x20 125g DT and all get along fairly well. Largest to smallest are Blochii, Naso, Powder Blue, Kole and Yellow. There was some issues as the Blochii surpassed the PBT but now that there is a well established pecking order all is golden. I am looking for a new home for the Blochii and maybe replace with another small Blochii or Orange Shoulder if I end up catching one in Hawaii this June. I do think that having several Tangs of different families in a tank often works out well.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Reefing Madness]

So then would it be ok to have only one large tang in a 60g tank?lol
You have what, 8' of swim space?
That is what the big difference is, they can get away from each other, and they have that swim freedom that tends to cool their jets.

The Tangs he is putting in that tank only require 125g of space, he's only putting in 2, theres plenty of room for those 2 fish. I should know, I had 5 Tangs in a 125G.
Also, the question he asked was are they compatible....

 

[davocean]

They list a 125g for it's length in swim room, op has a 4' tank, a lot of people would say that is pushing it, or really not the ideal swim space for a decent size tang.
Swim space will have an affect on compatibility.
Yes, I understand many do push this and may get lucky, but generally speaking for the sake of success op should know it often is asking for trouble, and w/ a particular species of tang that is known to stress easy and has a rep of being a bit of an ich or disease magnet, especially when stressed.

 

[Reefing Madness]

I was assuming it was a 6' tank. You have me there if its a 4' tank, then I concur.

 

[jdl513]

How big is the PBT and how long have you had it?
What other fish do you have?

If you have a community tank where the PBT is just another member you may be okay, but I would have a plan to pull one of them if doesn't.
If the PBT has been the undisputed boss for a long time I would not try it unless I could isolate the PBT first.

 

[Rjramos]

Count em... 1,2,3, in a 120gal. 4ft tank! Healthy! They are all full size fish that have been together since 2007 when they were a lot smaller. I forget in what order I introduced them, but regardless it is possible with these species! And I've kept these 3 same species in a smaller tank previously for many years. I don't know about PBT, I've never had one just on the negative words I've heard about them, ick, territorial, etc. One thing I must mention, that I consider imperative in keeping then happy. Keep parameters stable especially temperature throughout the day and night. Provide a cave each one can get into at night in the rock work. And feed them well, especially nori seaweed everyday! Look up my fish piñata idea under DIY ideas in this site. I hang 3 tightly rolled 4"x4" sheets of nori as described everyday in the morning. They all pick at this all day long right alongside each other with no quarrels.

 

[Rjramos]

Here it is. Sometimes I add pellets and liquid selcon to the roll, or garlic solution if I see any ick.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Full size aye? They Hippo doesn't look like its 12". Nor the Yellow or Purple Tangs at 8-10" each. ?? They look like they are more like 6-7"