1stNoel
Well-Known Member
Why do I like tangs? Let me count the ways...
Let's start with the positives:
1. I have 7 yellow tangs in my 300 gallon tank. That vibrant yellow pop of color is truly beautiful.
2. They are very active. I don't want fish that are going to hide. Tangs are very active and constantly are grazing on the rocks. Speaking of grazing...
3. They help control algae.
4. They provide poop, which helps feed the corals. Speaking of corals...
5. Tangs are reef safe.
6. Tangs are REEF SAFE.
7. Because I can't have angels in my tank (they are not reef safe; though I've tried).
8. Some tangs do have personalities. Zebrasomas not so much, but my Naso actually follows me around the tank and lets me pet it.
9. Large variety of colors and species to choose from (Purple Tang, Kole Tang, Powder Blue, Blue Hippo).
10. I have a 300-gallon SPS dominant, bare bottom tank. What else am I supposed to stock it with? Damsels???
Now the perceived negatives:
1. They are aggressive. This is true. Add a baby zebrasoma to an established tank of zebrasomas, and it will get ugly. But introduce them all at once, and they establish a pecking order. On occasion, you may get a mean one that you'll have to re-home (like my Sohal).
2. They are ich magnets. They can be, but only if 1) you don't quarantine to keep ich out of your tank, 2) you don't feed enough, which causes aggression over limited resources, or 3) you introduce a terror that stresses out the inhabitants. This being said, I've had little issues with ich in 5+ years of reefing.
3. They're expensive. Not really. I bought my Yellows for $30 each, a Sohal for $60, Powder Blue for $75, and I did splurge on the Purple. But most of these prices are in line with other fish in the hobby. I'm not buying a Gem Tang or Koi Tang, so I'm not considering them (and every species has their expensive fish).
4. They get really big. Yes, they do. Some more than others. As long as your tank can support it (bioload, room for the fish to swim, ability to keep it well fed, etc.), that won't be an issue.
5. They are too common. Every tank type has its staple of fish citizens. Some because they serve a purpose (like the Copperband Butterfly and the Six-Line Wrasse); and some because they're beautiful (Powder Blue Tang). Common is what keeps them cheap enough for me to buy. And if they're beautiful, I don't care that they're common.
Before you start bashing my post, we're all entitled to our opinion and preferences. Just because I like Tangs, it doesn't mean you have to. There are plenty of popular fish that I wouldn't put in my tank. From a coral perspective, I've never understood the fascination with bounce mushrooms; but they are super popular. To each their own.
Let's start with the positives:
1. I have 7 yellow tangs in my 300 gallon tank. That vibrant yellow pop of color is truly beautiful.
2. They are very active. I don't want fish that are going to hide. Tangs are very active and constantly are grazing on the rocks. Speaking of grazing...
3. They help control algae.
4. They provide poop, which helps feed the corals. Speaking of corals...
5. Tangs are reef safe.
6. Tangs are REEF SAFE.
7. Because I can't have angels in my tank (they are not reef safe; though I've tried).
8. Some tangs do have personalities. Zebrasomas not so much, but my Naso actually follows me around the tank and lets me pet it.
9. Large variety of colors and species to choose from (Purple Tang, Kole Tang, Powder Blue, Blue Hippo).
10. I have a 300-gallon SPS dominant, bare bottom tank. What else am I supposed to stock it with? Damsels???
Now the perceived negatives:
1. They are aggressive. This is true. Add a baby zebrasoma to an established tank of zebrasomas, and it will get ugly. But introduce them all at once, and they establish a pecking order. On occasion, you may get a mean one that you'll have to re-home (like my Sohal).
2. They are ich magnets. They can be, but only if 1) you don't quarantine to keep ich out of your tank, 2) you don't feed enough, which causes aggression over limited resources, or 3) you introduce a terror that stresses out the inhabitants. This being said, I've had little issues with ich in 5+ years of reefing.
3. They're expensive. Not really. I bought my Yellows for $30 each, a Sohal for $60, Powder Blue for $75, and I did splurge on the Purple. But most of these prices are in line with other fish in the hobby. I'm not buying a Gem Tang or Koi Tang, so I'm not considering them (and every species has their expensive fish).
4. They get really big. Yes, they do. Some more than others. As long as your tank can support it (bioload, room for the fish to swim, ability to keep it well fed, etc.), that won't be an issue.
5. They are too common. Every tank type has its staple of fish citizens. Some because they serve a purpose (like the Copperband Butterfly and the Six-Line Wrasse); and some because they're beautiful (Powder Blue Tang). Common is what keeps them cheap enough for me to buy. And if they're beautiful, I don't care that they're common.
Before you start bashing my post, we're all entitled to our opinion and preferences. Just because I like Tangs, it doesn't mean you have to. There are plenty of popular fish that I wouldn't put in my tank. From a coral perspective, I've never understood the fascination with bounce mushrooms; but they are super popular. To each their own.
