2 Banners in a 6 foot 180?

[Zionas]

Hi all, in the midst of this absolutely frustrating virus situation (and trade war, in which I’m not on the CCP side but that’s not relevant to my tank) I am not sure when the supply chain for you guys as well as for myself when it comes to fish will return to normal. As some of you already know, I will be getting a Yellow Tang and a Yellow Eye Kole as the two tangs in my tank. The Yellow Eye Kole is definitely the first choice for me due to providing great algae grazing service as well as looking nice in contrast to the Yellow’s well, bright Yellow. The Yellow and Kole are both from Hawaii, but the Kole being far less popular in Asia (China) compared to the Yellow I fear may not be available in enough quantities at the size I want (3-4”) until God knows when.

Therefore, I’m considering adding 2 Black and White Heniochus to my tank just in case I can’t find a Kole soon enough (it will be added together with the Yellow anyway, but not sure when that’ll happen). The Kole gets to 7” and I know the Bannerfish get to 10” (that’s Fish Base though WWM says they usually top out around 8” and LA says 8.5”), so the Banners are going to be a significantly larger fish. If it really comes down to me not being able to find a Kole Tang any time soon, would more than one Heniochus in a tank of my size be too much? I’d love to have my complete algae eating trio of a OSFF, YT and Yellow Eye Kole so I’m mostly considering this as an alternative. I’m also worried that if the Yellow is the only Tang in the tank, it will get aggressive though perhaps that’s just a rumor from people who don’t know well.

My other confirmed large fish at a Marine Betta and a One Spot Foxface, the rest of my fish will be 5” and below in size and I plan to do a total of 19 fish with 5 large fish and 14 smaller fish.

I’d love opinions on whether if I really have to choose this route, that a tank in the 180 area would be too small to accommodate two very active swimming and large Bannerfish. Thanks.

 

[NC122606]

Hi all, in the midst of this absolutely frustrating virus situation (and trade war, in which I’m not on the CCP side but that’s not relevant to my tank) I am not sure when the supply chain for you guys as well as for myself when it comes to fish will return to normal. As some of you already know, I will be getting a Yellow Tang and a Yellow Eye Kole as the two tangs in my tank. The Yellow Eye Kole is definitely the first choice for me due to providing great algae grazing service as well as looking nice in contrast to the Yellow’s well, bright Yellow. The Yellow and Kole are both from Hawaii, but the Kole being far less popular in Asia (China) compared to the Yellow I fear may not be available in enough quantities at the size I want (3-4”) until God knows when.

Therefore, I’m considering adding 2 Black and White Heniochus to my tank just in case I can’t find a Kole soon enough (it will be added together with the Yellow anyway, but not sure when that’ll happen). The Kole gets to 7” and I know the Bannerfish get to 10” (that’s Fish Base though WWM says they usually top out around 8” and LA says 8.5”), so the Banners are going to be a significantly larger fish. If it really comes down to me not being able to find a Kole Tang any time soon, would more than one Heniochus in a tank of my size be too much? I’d love to have my complete algae eating trio of a OSFF, YT and Yellow Eye Kole so I’m mostly considering this as an alternative. I’m also worried that if the Yellow is the only Tang in the tank, it will get aggressive though perhaps that’s just a rumor from people who don’t know well.

My other confirmed large fish at a Marine Betta and a One Spot Foxface, the rest of my fish will be 5” and below in size and I plan to do a total of 19 fish with 5 large fish and 14 smaller fish.

I’d love opinions on whether if I really have to choose this route, that a tank in the 180 area would be too small to accommodate two very active swimming and large Bannerfish. Thanks.

I honestly think there would be no issues, maybe even get 3 if you can. I would honestly get the bannerfish in first because they are a bit more timid.

 

[nereefpat]

If it's a reef, be careful with the bannerfish. There is one reef safe species, but I don't often see it available. You HAVE to be sure of the Latin name, as it looks very similar to another.

I haven't kept multiple banners. I did take care of a single in a 125 for a couple years. Really cool fish.

 

[Zionas]

I believe it’s H. Diphreutes. They’re found in the seas off the coast where I am along with H. Acuminatus. I’ve got visuals on my phone as a guide. If I get a pair they’ll be added at the same time and it’s got to be before many of my other fish because I know they’re peaceful. I wonder if fish like the Royal Gramma or Ocellaris Clowns introduces before them would harass Bannerfish.

I’d love to hear more about your experiences caring for the Bannerfish. What species was it? Was it easy to care for? Did it get along with your other fish? And how did you lose it? Any special care requirements (I.E. are they a very disease prone and sensitive fish to any discomforts in their environment?).

Thanks.

 

[nereefpat]

I believe it’s H. Diphreutes. They’re found in the seas off the coast where I am along with H. Acuminatus. I’ve got visuals on my phone as a guide. If I get a pair they’ll be added at the same time and it’s got to be before many of my other fish because I know they’re peaceful. I wonder if fish like the Royal Gramma or Ocellaris Clowns introduces before them would harass Bannerfish.

I’d love to hear more about your experiences caring for the Bannerfish. What species was it? Was it easy to care for? Did it get along with your other fish? And how did you lose it? Any special care requirements (I.E. are they a very disease prone and sensitive fish to any discomforts in their environment?).

Thanks.

Sounds like you know which one to get. There shouldn't be any problem with clowns or basslet, especially in a 180. Yellow tangs can be nasty though.

The one I took care of, I believe, was H. acuminatus. It was at a store I worked at in college. The butterfly had been there a while, and nothing was ever added to the tank, other than food. It was actually housed with a grouper and a peaceful trigger. The fish were eventually sold....I'm guessing all were 5+ years old at that time. They are somewhat disease prone, and most butterflies don't handle shipping the best.

 

[Zionas]

I see. The Yellow Tang will be added towards the end of my stocking plan. I hope to find healthy specimens of these Bannerfish, sigh, and adding them relatively early is also because I want them to be comfortable before any fish like Tangs, Hawkfish, or even dwarf angels. By the time these are in my tank I’ll have a Marine Betta, YWG, Ocellaris pair, Royal Gramma and my group of Pajama Cardinals. Foxface will follow. I’ll also have to make sure they’re eating before I buy.

Would you say they’re an easy fish to keep? Suitable for a beginner? Scott W. Michael gives them a 5/5 rating in his books, and Bob Fenner and WWM also seems to have quite positive opinions of them compared to many other butterflies.

 

[nereefpat]

Would you say they’re an easy fish to keep? Suitable for a beginner? Scott W. Michael gives them a 5/5 rating in his books, and Bob Fenner and WWM also seems to have quite positive opinions of them compared to many other butterflies.

I would say easy to keep and suitable for a beginner, as long as you obtain a healthy specimen (eating, no visible issues, and no bacterial infection from shipping). I wouldn't buy any butterfly online. And you need a large tank (which you have).

 

[Zionas]

Thanks. I am not a big fan of buying fish online, unless I’m truly desperate. I would rather observe in person. To clarify, when you were caring for the Longfin Bannerfish at the LFS you worked at, which diseases did you see it get? What were the sources of the disease outbreaks? Are they sensitive to copper and other treatments? Thanks.

 

[nereefpat]

To clarify, when you were caring for the Longfin Bannerfish at the LFS you worked at, which diseases did you see it get? What were the sources of the disease outbreaks? Are they sensitive to copper and other treatments? Thanks.

Butterfly never had any diseases. It was in the tank when I started work there, and nothing was ever added to the tank.

In general, butterflies are susceptible to ich, velvet, lymph (that's common), but especially vulnerable to infections due to damage from shipping. I have never tried copper with butteflies, so I'm not sure there.

 

[Zionas]

If I find two healthy specimens, can they be the first fish in my tank or among the first fish added very early on? I know they’re peaceful, but how sensitive are they to water quality compared to fish like Clownfish, YWG, Pajama Cardinals, Royal Gramma, Marine Betta (all “Phase One” in my stocking plan) as well as other butterflies?