Tang question

[dR3ws3r]

I have a 155 gallon, 5 ft tank that is probably going on 18 months old. Perhaps I wasn't all that smart in that I never really put a list together of all the fish I wanted to begin with, but I'm kind of new to saltwater and just have been adding slowly as I find fish I like. I would think the stocking of my tank is on the lighter side ... 1 hippo tang, 2 clownfish, 2 firefish, 1 royal gramma, 1 goby, and 1 Fairie Wrasse. I recently saw a baby yellow tang and would like to add it to the tank. I know, I know ... now I have gone through various forums and videos and I realize that tang compatibility is a real thing, and there are more opinions out there then .... (I've heard the tang police remarks).

So I can't add them together, and I've read that 3 is better than 2, etc. I can live without the yellow tang but was just wondering if this is a better or worse than 50/50 proposition. The current Hippo tang is probably about 4-5 inches at the current time. She is the boss of the tank but not really aggressive. She loves to eat and goes nuts during feeding time. I wouldn't say she is 100% peaceful, but I've never seen her try and hurt any other fish in the tank. More like swim toward them and they back off. I realize all fish have different personalities and temperaments, and more than likely it will just have to be a try and see thing, but if the odds are less than 50/50 I won't do that. If there is say a 75% chance of success, well then maybe it is worth a shot.

Any real thoughts on if this is more likely to work than not? And introduction tips other than do it with lights out. And by the way, the Yellow tang appears to be a juvenile. Very small and very faint in color.

 

[Utubereefer]

I don’t think it will be a problem in that size tank. Like you mentioned wait until lights out to add it to the tank. You can try an acclimation box. If hippo gets aggressive you can put a mirror up to the tank but i wouldn’t do that unless completely necessary

 

[BryanM]

I do not see why there would be a problem adding the yellow tang. Certainly the Hippo and Yellow are compatible.

Aquascape? Maybe a full tank shot? But this is the most important piece, followed closely by multiple feedings a day to help curb aggression.

Is the yellow from Biota / captive bred? That would explain the paleness - If yes, he will color up over the first couple months! I have 3 of them in my tank.

 

[exnisstech]

My hippo was peaceful and a bit shy. I think a yellow would be fine in a 150g . My only concern is that they come in very small some times. I added 3 biota babies as the first fish in my 330g

 

[PPBlimpy]

No issues adding a yellow to your tank. I have no problem adding a yellow/purple/scopas to a 75G/90G 4 ft tank myself.

they are not nearly as darty as a powder.

my blue hippo is peaceful. got it super small, maybe 1.5 inches as my first tang in a 75. has never showed aggression(that i have seen) is now in her 4th tank with me and has 7 other tangs residing with it.

i would keep the yellow in an acclimation box for the first week or so, and when you do let it out, ad a mirror to the side of the tank. another trick is to move around some rock work so territories have to be found

 

[dR3ws3r]

I do not see why there would be a problem adding the yellow tang. Certainly the Hippo and Yellow are compatible.

Aquascape? Maybe a full tank shot? But this is the most important piece, followed closely by multiple feedings a day to help curb aggression.

Is the yellow from Biota / captive bred? That would explain the paleness - If yes, he will color up over the first couple months! I have 3 of them in my tank.

I believe they listed it as captive bred, so I think that is very likely.

 

[dR3ws3r]

I love the optimism! I will try and get him if he is still available. I'll look into an acclimation box too. I will keep him in QT for a month though, that is one thing I have always done.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I just added 4 tangs to my tank 3 nights ago. They are in acclimation boxes. I couldn't imagine them sitting in there for a month.

This is my first time using acclimation boxes. I am ready to let 3 out, being completely ignored by everyone else. the 4th will probably go in a different tank.

 

[dR3ws3r]

I just added 4 tangs to my tank 3 nights ago. They are in acclimation boxes. I couldn't imagine them sitting in there for a month.

This is my first time using acclimation boxes. I am ready to let 3 out, being completely ignored by everyone else. the 4th will probably go in a different tank.

Sorry, I probably didn't say that well. I have a 25 gallon QT tank where I put all purchased fish to watch for disease. I personally don't prophylactically treat. After 30 days, I'll put him in the acclimation box in the big tank and see how things go.

 

[dR3ws3r]

 

[Should I]

Sorry, I probably didn't say that well. I have a 25 gallon QT tank where I put all purchased fish to watch for disease. I personally don't prophylactically treat. After 30 days, I'll put him in the acclimation box in the big tank and see how things go.

grow the yellow out in the 25 gallon for a few months if its tiny

 

[PPBlimpy]

Sorry, I probably didn't say that well. I have a 25 gallon QT tank where I put all purchased fish to watch for disease. I personally don't prophylactically treat. After 30 days, I'll put him in the acclimation box in the big tank and see how things go.

That is a great way to do it. I need to get a QT procedure going. I am sure one day i will get bitten. I have always been to impatient and wanting the fish in the tank.

I know patience is key to this hobby

 

[Should I]

That is a great way to do it. I need to get a QT procedure going. I am sure one day i will get bitten. I have always been to impatient and wanting the fish in the tank.

I know patience is key to this hobby

yea i need to get a observation tank too

 

[dR3ws3r]

Well I did purchase the tang about 3-4 weeks ago. Here is Zip, in his dirty observation tank. I am probably going to put him in the main display in a week or two, fingers crossed.