tangs

[macci]

hello iam setting a 200 gallon tank and i wish to add some tangs this is my wish list

orange shoulder tang
lipstick tang
achilles tang
regal tang
2 yellow tangs ( i wish 1 yellow and 1 purple but from what i read its not recommande)

what tang should i put 1st so i dont have any tang boxing :)

regards

 

[melypr1985]

Not sure about the order of adding them... there are much better people on here to answer that one. I have, however, heard of people adding a purple, yellow and sailfin tang together successfully. @3FordFamily is the tang guy and has that trio currently. He could probably tell you which order too. Though so could @evolved and ..... one other guy i can't remember his name! Geeze my memory is terrible. Anyway, they are tagged and will hopefully give some guidance.

Edit: Got it! @eatbreakfast lol knew i would remember it right after i hit submit

 

[gacolt]

if you have the cash add them all at the same time.thats your best bet.

 

[eea60]

I have and have had several tangs. In my opinion the Naso is the baby of the group. All my two care about is food. My regals are also babies. Too scared to fight anybody. I have heard that orange shoulder tangs are fairly peaceful but I have not owned one. The 2 of the 3 species of acanthurus I have owned (Blue and brown) have been fairly violent. My mimic lemon peel is very peaceful but he is only 2.5". My blue would find a fish to hate and try to kill it. My 2 sohals were never that violent. If you want a purple and yellow you should be fine but add them at the same time. The purple may still pick a fight now and then but maybe not too much. My purple will harass my sailfin every now and then but nothing more than a flash. I had a yellow in the tank first and had to take it out when I added the purple. The purple is bigger but the yellow put him on the run. Now that my purple has settled in I'm unsure if I can get my yellow back in without another fight. All fish are different so all I can offer are my experiences. I would add the Achilles last as it will probably take over the tank.

 

[macci]

if you have the cash add them all at the same time.thats your best bet.

Money is not the peoplem
The proplem.os thay the tank is still 2 months old

 

[gacolt]

Money is not the peoplem
The proplem.os thay the tank is still 2 months old

If the tank is cycled thats not a problem.In the long run it will be better since the bio load wont be changing when you add a new fish especilly a big pooper tang.

 

[macci]

If the tank is cycled thats not a problem.In the long run it will be better since the bio load wont be changing when you add a new fish especilly a big pooper tang.

I hear yhat blue tang can have itch. I dont have a quorantine tank should i put the regal 1st fish in the tank?

 

[gacolt]

If i was you i would buy healthy fish from a source that you trust give them a freshwater dip then throw them in the tank.

 

[4FordFamily]

2 months old is not very established. That said, with proper water changes it can be managed. I would wait before adding any more tangs for your sake and their sake. When you do add them, add several at a time.

 

[4FordFamily]

hello iam setting a 200 gallon tank and i wish to add some tangs this is my wish list

orange shoulder tang
lipstick tang
achilles tang
regal tang
2 yellow tangs ( i wish 1 yellow and 1 purple but from what i read its not recommande)

what tang should i put 1st so i dont have any tang boxing :)

regards

I would advise against an Achilles tang because they cannot handle parasites. Many species of tang can build a resistance but 19/20 Achilles will survive no more than 1-6 months in your tank if your tank has ever or currently has ich or the like. They require lots of flow and are not an easy fish to keep. That said, if you treat your existing fish as if they have ich (even if they don't currently) say via hypo salinity, copper, or even TTM and run the tank fallow 72-90 days (this starves the parasite in your display) and then treat all incoming fish as if they have ich as well, it may be doable.

Remember fish not showing symptoms often carry parasites. It doesn't take over because they have a resistance. They live in the gills and are otherwise undetectable to us. I would venture to guess than 9:10 fish you buy is a carrier of ich and this is why I would qt and treat them all. It isn't worth the risk.

With that in mind, mixing zebrasoma tangs can be done if added simultaneously. You would be more likely to succeed adding a purple and a yellow than you would two yellow. Neither is advisable, however. A trio of any three of the following is possible relatively easily (9/10 times) if added simultaneously;

Yellow
Purple
Scopus
Black
Gem
Sailfin
Desjarini Sailfin (*I would choose only one
Sailfin

I've done this for over a decade with several different tanks with very high success. I might add that sailfins tend to be less territorial to new zebrasoma generally than purple which tend to be the nastiest. I've never owned black or gem tangs so I can't speak to that.

The rest should not be a problem assuming you add them at about the same time or in batches. For instance adding 3 zebrasoma tangs and then adding three other tangs at a later time may work. That's a lot of tangs but with good husbandry it can be done.

Mixing similar acanthurus tangs is riskier. In my experience, 4/5 Achilles tangs are quite docile even towards powder blues and Browns so long as it's not tank boss. Powder blues are the nastiest tang on earth. The 1/5 Achilles that isn't docile is every bit as nasty as a PBT IME.

Orange shoulders and naso tangs are both docile I agree with your assertion. Also they're commonly left alone due to their size and temperament. An angry powder blue, brown, or Achilles can and will harass and likely kill any tang that it does not like.

Unlike most tangs that are aggressive, namely zebrasoma tangs, these acanthurus tangs do not forget and their "vendettas" do not subside. Once they have it out for a fish that's it you're not going to curb it with time or any amount of effort 99/100. Powder blues in particular are this way. Other tangs will let up after a few days or weeks if the new fish are alive. This is why adding in groups is beneficial as no one fish is singled out. Essentially if you add three tangs they each receive roughly 33% of the abuse and often the resident aggressors will consider taking on this many new fish as too much energy and stress and calm down much more quickly.

On occasion they will single out one of the new tangs and harass it only but I see this rarely. It's more likely if adding similar acanthurus tangs to a PBT or similar fish though.

 

[Lesley]

We added multiple tangs all at the same time, I must say it worked very well. But we had an established tank.
I am wondering if a 200g is actually big enough for your list ?
I also think you would have more luck with a purple and yellow added together than 2 x yellow.
@3FordFamily I wish I had your info 3yrs ago. Went through the add most aggressive last, most peaceful first that everyone talks about, as a newbie everyone said don't add a once because tank wont keep up. It was a nightmare.
We then sold all the remaining tangs we had, and added 10 new fish altogether (including 8 tangs) and everything is fantastic. Getting along, hierarchy establish without issue and now a beautifully peaceful tank.
So thank you for that info, well said and spot on.

 

[4FordFamily]

We added multiple tangs all at the same time, I must say it worked very well. But we had an established tank.
I am wondering if a 200g is actually big enough for your list ?
I also think you would have more luck with a purple and yellow added together than 2 x yellow.
@3FordFamily I wish I had your info 3yrs ago. Went through the add most aggressive last, most peaceful first that everyone talks about, as a newbie everyone said don't add a once because tank wont keep up. It was a nightmare.
We then sold all the remaining tangs we had, and added 10 new fish altogether (including 8 tangs) and everything is fantastic. Getting along, hierarchy establish without issue and now a beautifully peaceful tank.
So thank you for that info, well said and spot on.

Thanks!

I am a personal believer that overstocking can work for some and not for others. Depends on husbandry IMO. I have a 180 with 9 tangs and everything is fine. Lots of skimming (180 skimming for 425-450) and lots of nori! Also not my first rodeo lol

 

[eea60]

I would advise against an Achilles tang because they cannot handle parasites. Many species of tang can build a resistance but 19/20 Achilles will survive no more than 1-6 months in your tank if your tank has ever or currently has ich or the like. They require lots of flow and are not an easy fish to keep. That said, if you treat your existing fish as if they have ich (even if they don't currently) say via hypo salinity, copper, or even TTM and run the tank fallow 72-90 days (this starves the parasite in your display) and then treat all incoming fish as if they have ich as well, it may be doable.

Remember fish not showing symptoms often carry parasites. It doesn't take over because they have a resistance. They live in the gills and are otherwise undetectable to us. I would venture to guess than 9:10 fish you buy is a carrier of ich and this is why I would qt and treat them all. It isn't worth the risk.

With that in mind, mixing zebrasoma tangs can be done if added simultaneously. You would be more likely to succeed adding a purple and a yellow than you would two yellow. Neither is advisable, however. A trio of any three of the following is possible relatively easily (9/10 times) if added simultaneously;

Yellow
Purple
Scopus
Black
Gem
Sailfin
Desjarini Sailfin (*I would choose only one
Sailfin

I've done this for over a decade with several different tanks with very high success. I might add that sailfins tend to be less territorial to new zebrasoma generally than purple which tend to be the nastiest. I've never owned black or gem tangs so I can't speak to that.

The rest should not be a problem assuming you add them at about the same time or in batches. For instance adding 3 zebrasoma tangs and then adding three other tangs at a later time may work. That's a lot of tangs but with good husbandry it can be done.

Mixing similar acanthurus tangs is riskier. In my experience, 4/5 Achilles tangs are quite docile even towards powder blues and Browns so long as it's not tank boss. Powder blues are the nastiest tang on earth. The 1/5 Achilles that isn't docile is every bit as nasty as a PBT IME.

Orange shoulders and naso tangs are both docile I agree with your assertion. Also they're commonly left alone due to their size and temperament. An angry powder blue, brown, or Achilles can and will harass and likely kill any tang that it does not like.

Unlike most tangs that are aggressive, namely zebrasoma tangs, these acanthurus tangs do not forget and their "vendettas" do not subside. Once they have it out for a fish that's it you're not going to curb it with time or any amount of effort 99/100. Powder blues in particular are this way. Other tangs will let up after a few days or weeks if the new fish are alive. This is why adding in groups is beneficial as no one fish is singled out. Essentially if you add three tangs they each receive roughly 33% of the abuse and often the resident aggressors will consider taking on this many new fish as too much energy and stress and calm down much more quickly.

On occasion they will single out one of the new tangs and harass it only but I see this rarely. It's more likely if adding similar acanthurus tangs to a PBT or similar fish though.[/QUOTE

I've had good luck with mixing a sailfin with a black, yellow, and purple. My 2 sailfins are the most docile of the group. The black tang I have is the most aggressive as it would harass a black clownfish and foxface. It liked to pick a fight with the clownfish by going to its host to fight. No matter how many times it was bit it loved to fight. I added a moorish idol that is around 1.5 times the size of the black and it would relentlessly attack the idol. I had to remove the black to get the idol settled in and plan on reintroducing it within a couple of weeks. I put a purple tang in with a yellow tang on the same day in another tank and had to remove the yellow even though it is the smaller of the two. After seeing the purple take over I have my doubts that I will be able to reintroduce the yellow. The black and yellow are currently living together in another tank I quickly set up. They are fine together since they went in at nearly the same time. I may have to keep them together and see how they do with my idol. If it goes badly I will have to put them back in temporary holding and set up a permanent tank to house them. Whatever you do have a plan b and a plan c to fix any problems. I have had my idol for 2 weeks and prior to introduction I foolishly thought there would only be minor violence since it was larger and similar to but a different species. Use common sense and be willing to admit your mistakes and do what is best for your fish. I hate to see any fish in poor conditions but also hate when people tell you how cruel you are for housing a juvenile tang in 180 and not a 500. We will never be able to replicate the spaces they have in the ocean, but we also improve on many conditions they experience. We offer them a safe environment with plenty of food and hopefully excellent water quality. That has to count for something. Keep researching and good luck

 

[Lesley]

Thanks!

I am a personal believer that overstocking can work for some and not for others. Depends on husbandry IMO. I have a 180 with 9 tangs and everything is fine. Lots of skimming (180 skimming for 425-450) and lots of nori! Also not my first rodeo lol

Thanks!

I actually dont consider us "overstocked"as such. We have 10 tanks, flame angel, coral beauty and a mag fox. The tank is just short of a 400g with minimal rock work and Lots and lots of swim space.
We water change 25% every 3 to 4 weeks as we run undetectable nitrates and phos around 0.02. If nitrates were to suggest an overstocking problem then i would certainly reconsider the amount of fish or do more frequent water changes. I personally would never overstock a tank, purely because the fish dont deserve to live in an overstocked tank.

 

[4FordFamily]

I didn't see any response here just quotes. Is that what you meant to do?

 

[gidenski]

I have a sailfin and purple together and they're just fine. They almost act like a married couple.... chasing each other to "fight" but always next to each other (sleep together at night as well). When I had yellows they were fine with the other two, but I added too fast to a new tank and Ich won. If you can hold out till you're more established, the multi-tang route has worked. Otherwise you can add smallest to biggest if you want to do smaller batches. About a month ago I added a slightly larger orange shoulder to an established tank. Slipped right into the team as if he was there the whole time. +1 to what @3FordFamily says for Achilles...

Good luck with the tang list!

 

[Kworker]

I like to stock on the "lighter" side with tangs. I think you will be fine with everything minus the two yellow tangs.

I highly recommend skipping the Achilles unless you are putting all fish through quarantine. You are going to want high oxygenated water with the achilles as well.