Third Tang

[Bucrob]

I have a 4ftx2ftx2ft tank and currently have a blue hippo and a yellow tang. I'm looking for a 3rd tang to add. The yellow tang is pretty mellow since I added him after the blue tang so the blue tang is definitely boss of the tank. I was thinking of maybe adding a convict tang or a chocolate tang. I also like the look of scopas tangs but I don't know how the yellow would react to him. Any thoughts and ideas are welcome, hoping to spend $250 or less on the tang

 

[winzig]

imo tank is to small

 

[Bucrob]

imo tank is to small

My LFS who has been keeping fish for over 30 years said that 3 tangs in my system would be fine, only problem is that I would need to rehome the blue tang or upgrade but I intend to upgrade later down the line anyway

 

[PharmrJohn]

imo tank is to small

Agreed. I was pushing things with one yellow tang in a 48x18x24. I'd just stick with the two you have.

 

[winzig]

I myself only have 4 "big" fish in my 72" tank
a yellow,purple and hippo tang with a fox face

 

[The Ugly Phase]

bristletooth tang if you must have another

 

[Louis Z]

I have two yellows in a 6ft 125 and still seems to small . I want a 200+. tangs need room to swim thru , around and above . my yellow tangs do okay. But would like more room for them

 

[Bucrob]

Might I reference CJ'S Aquariums on youtube, he has 3 tangs (chocolate, convict, and tomini) in a 3ft tank along with other fish like copperband and other larger wrasses. He has successfully kept this tank for over 3 years.

 

[exnisstech]

If you must have another I would go with a bristle tooth since they don't get as large as many and they are awesome cleaners. I have a convict in my large tank with 9 tangs and he is awesome. Not a recommendation but I keep a wild yellow and a two spot bristletooth together in a 36x22x22" tank and have zero aggression after 2 years. I would be sure and have an exit strategy in case it doesn't work out though. I find having a lot of rock helps. I would never try a group in a tank with a minimalistic scape.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I wouldn't really use the word "tank" for a 3-footer with 3 Tangs. I would use the word "shoebox."

 

[Damage12]

I agree the other comments. 3 tangs in a 4’ tank is a hard no. I’ve been in the business and hobby for over 20 years, if that makes you feel better. There is a reason I have several fish that are well over 15 years old.

Your LFS will sell you 5 tangs for a 4’ tank, they’re in business to make money.

But I have to ask, why even make this post if you’re going to poo poo everyone’s advice?

 

[Bucrob]

I agree the other comments. 3 tangs in a 4’ tank is a hard no. I’ve been in the business and hobby for over 20 years, if that makes you feel better. There is a reason I have several fish that are well over 15 years old.

Your LFS will sell you 5 tangs for a 4’ tank, they’re in business to make money.

But I have to ask, why even make this post if you’re going to poo poo everyone’s advice?

The LFS owner is a family friend. We've known them for over 15 years and she has repeatedly said no to me on multiple occasions. I originally had 4 tangs on my stocking list and she flat out told me no. I bought the tank used and the previous owner had 3 tangs a large angel and a foxface in it for over 5 years until he had to take it down due to financial reasons.

Just to clear up any misunderstandings, my original point of making this post was to seek suggestions on which tang species might be best suited for this tank, rather than debating whether it is possible to keep a third tang or not.
While I know some of you are against keeping a third tang, I appreciate your concern, but I was really looking for some suggestions on which species might be best suited to coexist with my blue hippo tang and yellow tang in my 4×2×2 tank rather than being flat out told it couldn't be done.
If any of you have any experience with any of these tang species, such as a convict tang, chocolate tang, or any other species that are known to be less aggressive, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bucrob]

If you must have another I would go with a bristle tooth since they don't get as large as many and they are awesome cleaners. I have a convict in my large tank with 9 tangs and he is awesome. Not a recommendation but I keep a wild yellow and a two spot bristletooth together in a 36x22x22" tank and have zero aggression after 2 years. I would be sure and have an exit strategy in case it doesn't work out though. I find having a lot of rock helps. I would never try a group in a tank with a minimalistic scape.

I do have a fair amount of rock, somewhere around 200lb with many large caves for the current fish to hide if they feel like it. I also do have a fish trap and have had more experience than most with a net in case the trap doesn't work.

 

[JumboShrimp]

A Tomini or a Bristletooth will be small--ISH, and dissimilar to your current Tangs, but in good conscience I still can't recommend your plan. If you 'do' try it, you pretty much are obligated to let us know how things are going in a year.

 

[Bucrob]

A Tomini or a Bristletooth will be small--ISH, and dissimilar to your current Tangs, but in good conscience I still can't recommend your plan. If you 'do' try it, you pretty much are obligated to let us know how things are going in a year.

I will likely be trying a two spot bristletooth or a foxface instead as to my understanding, while convicts are great algae eaters, they won't really eat hair algae. If I do try a tang other than one of those then I will keep you updated on how it goes

 

[winxp_man]

I wouldn't really use the word "tank" for a 3-footer with 3 Tangs. I would use the word "shoebox."

Have you seen how much can fit into a shoe box????

 

[exnisstech]

IMO the hippo will be the first to outgrow the 4ft tank. I had my first one for 5 years in a 6ft 180g and would never consider a 4ft tank large enough to be a lifetime home. My first convict was 4 years old and I think would be fine in a 4ft tank. My yellows don't seem to get huge and my two spot I've had for two years and I feel is suited for a 4ft tank. I think there are tangs that probably should not even be kept in home aquariums. I stay away from tank pacers like powder blues, Achilles, clown tangs etc. Tangs can actually be quite relaxed given tank mates they don't hate and a habitat that suits them.
This is my peaceful pair in a 3ft tank. The video is a year old but they are still in and continue to swim peacefully around all day long. I only have the tangs, a sixline and an electric blue damsel and doubt I'll be adding any more. I tried a coral beauty once and the bristle tooth immediately attacked it and I believe would have killed it had I not removed it immediately.

PS I also believe overfeeding can help keep aggression at a minimum. A hungry fish is an aggressive fish because it feels like it is fighting for survival.

 

[sgdnycct]

I agree the other comments. 3 tangs in a 4’ tank is a hard no. I’ve been in the business and hobby for over 20 years, if that makes you feel better. There is a reason I have several fish that are well over 15 years old.

Your LFS will sell you 5 tangs for a 4’ tank, they’re in business to make money.

But I have to ask, why even make this post if you’re going to poo poo everyone’s advice?

The LFS owner is a family friend. We've known them for over 15 years and she has repeatedly said no to me on multiple occasions. I originally had 4 tangs on my stocking list and she flat out told me no. I bought the tank used and the previous owner had 3 tangs a large angel and a foxface in it for over 5 years until he had to take it down due to financial reasons.

Just to clear up any misunderstandings, my original point of making this post was to seek suggestions on which tang species might be best suited for this tank, rather than debating whether it is possible to keep a third tang or not.
While I know some of you are against keeping a third tang, I appreciate your concern, but I was really looking for some suggestions on which species might be best suited to coexist with my blue hippo tang and yellow tang in my 4×2×2 tank rather than being flat out told it couldn't be done.
If any of you have any experience with any of these tang species, such as a convict tang, chocolate tang, or any other species that are known to be less aggressive, it would be greatly appreciated!

I think people have actually been answering your question and I agree. It’s not a big enough tank to add another tang. I’ve got a similar size tank with a Tomini and I’m constantly thinking of a blue or yellow to add but then go back to what I know. Can it be done? Yes. But I think it’s also import to think about whether it’s the right thing to do.

If the fish aren’t in the right environment they will be constantly stressed. Maybe consider alternatives? There are plenty of species you could look into instead of tangs. (I think you’re considering a foxface too- I don’t have first hand experience with them but I believe 4’ is on the small size for them too).

We’re all expressing opinions based on experience and research. You are ultimately the one to make the decision and responsible for the choice you make.

I will say that I frequently see posts of sick hippos or other schooling tangs while most other fish are fine or the tang gets ich and the whole system gets infected. They are stressed just by the fact they aren’t schooling then add competition and lack of space and the stress just wears them down and weakens their immune system.

I hope it works well with whatever choice you make.

You could try asking one of the scientists on the forum. They can give more science based suggestions.

 

[Bucrob]

I think people have actually been answering your question and I agree. It’s not a big enough tank to add another tang. I’ve got a similar size tank with a Tomini and I’m constantly thinking of a blue or yellow to add but then go back to what I know. Can it be done? Yes. But I think it’s also import to think about whether it’s the right thing to do.

If the fish aren’t in the right environment they will be constantly stressed. Maybe consider alternatives? There are plenty of species you could look into instead of tangs. (I think you’re considering a foxface too- I don’t have first hand experience with them but I believe 4’ is on the small size for them too).

We’re all expressing opinions based on experience and research. You are ultimately the one to make the decision and responsible for the choice you make.

I will say that I frequently see posts of sick hippos or other schooling tangs while most other fish are fine or the tang gets ich and the whole system gets infected. They are stressed just by the fact they aren’t schooling then add competition and lack of space and the stress just wears them down and weakens their immune system.

I hope it works well with whatever choice you make.

You could try asking one of the scientists on the forum. They can give more science based suggestions.

I was never asking if it was doable. I was simply asking for suggestions as to what tang would do best in the system. It is surely doable, there are plenty of documented examples of it being done for extended periods of time. I also plan on upgrading to a larger 6-8ft tank at some point but currently there is no need since all of the fish are still small. Also for a fox face, 75 gallons is required.

I also have a in sump UV sterilizer incase something does pop up however I am unconcerned for now since the blue tang is still only 2-3 inches or so.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone it’s just not what I was looking for being told that it was essentially undo able

 

[skey44]

I have a 4ftx2ftx2ft tank and currently have a blue hippo and a yellow tang. I'm looking for a 3rd tang to add. The yellow tang is pretty mellow since I added him after the blue tang so the blue tang is definitely boss of the tank. I was thinking of maybe adding a convict tang or a chocolate tang. I also like the look of scopas tangs but I don't know how the yellow would react to him. Any thoughts and ideas are welcome, hoping to spend $250 or less on the tang

I love the white tail bristletooth, twin spot bristletooth, and tomini tang. My tomini tang is a slow grower and gets along with my hippo and purple very well. I recommend a bristletooth tang in the ctenochaetus genus. The white tail is an looker but they are near the top of your budget retail.
Adding an acanthurus genus tang in your tank, while tempting is not a good idea. They grow fast and become increasingly territorial with age.
I have a hippo, purple, and tomini. Ultimately the tomini is probably the only one that stays small enough for our tank footprints. Mine is 48x24x16
I plan to upgrade to a 180 or larger in the next few years.