Adding a small sohal??

CoralWealth · Dec 30, 2019

Hello! Here is my tank.

I have a 180g SPS dominant tank. Currently, the tangs I have are a large powder blue, medium blonde naso and a medium yellow tang. There is a small sohal tang local to me (around 3 inches) that I would like to add. Since it will be the smallest tang in the tank and WAY smaller then the powder blue I am tempted to add it.

My powder blue is around 8 inches and the boss of the tank.

I do have a 10 foot by 4 foot plywood frag tank in my basement that I could transfer the sohal too once he grows big. But I would love to have him in my display tank for a couple years at least.

---So my first questions is will I be fine since the powder blue is well established over 3 years in this tank and over 8 inches to add the very small sohal tang?

---Second question, how fast do they grow on average? Like will this 2-3 inches sohal tang turn to 8 inches in 1 year or will it be closer to 2-3 years before it gets that big?

Thanks!!!

Squidward · Dec 30, 2019

I have no experience with Sohals but I've heard too many stories of how terrors they turn into. Even killing all the other fish in the tank. But the Powder Blue itself is a terror from my experience. I'm afraid he'll got after the new Sohal. Me personally wouldn't do it. But if you're willing to try it, go for it. Just know the consequences and be ready for them as needed.

tehmadreefer · Dec 30, 2019

Well the blonde naso will get very large as will the sohal, plus with the pbt it’s gonna be cramped.

people need to stop thinking short term and look at the overall big picture....if u had a dollar for everyone that says in upgrading I’d be a billionaire, lol

DSC reef · Dec 30, 2019

Sohals grow quick and get very boisterous. I loved the personality of that fish but they can be a handful and need plenty of room.

CoralWealth · Dec 30, 2019

I appreciate all the suggestions and opinions!!

I already have the upgrade so its not like I dont have a second option for it if it turns out a terror right away. I am asking how quick they will grow as I know it will be fine when it is this small, if anything I am worried about it getting bullied by the powder blue right now.

Feet4Fish · Dec 30, 2019

Shoals are gorgeous. Had ne but ultimately re homed it as it took out a purple tang and niger trigger. Do grow fairly quickly. Probably 18 months or so until hits 8 inch mark. Wants hits 8-9 inches can turn into a psycho killer.

CoralWealth · Dec 30, 2019

Feet4Fish said:
Shoals are gorgeous. Had ne but ultimately re homed it as it took out a purple tang and niger trigger. Do grow fairly quickly. Probably 18 months or so until hits 8 inch mark. Wants hits 8-9 inches can turn into a psycho killer.

Thank you.

How big was your tank and what was the size of the purple tang and niger trigger? Did the sohal not turn aggressive till it got to 8 inches?

Halal Hotdog · Dec 30, 2019

I applaud you asking prior to just jumping in. Not to say any of us have more knowledge than you, but there might be experiences that can help.

I don't know how your 180 is laid out, but if there is ample swimming room (no wall of rocks) then I think you will be fine for a few years. Based on my experience (powder blue, blonde naso, purple tang, and clown tang) there are a couple of things you can do to you have a higher success rate. Initial aggression is the the biggest issue. I would definitely QT the fish and getting it eating very well. When I added my powder blue and clown tang to DT, I placed a polycarbonate divider in my tank that allowed the fish to adjust to 1/3 of the tank and be visible to the other fish. The powder blue tang got out and met a lot of aggression. I got him back in the divided area and everything was normal. I left the divider in for around 14 days, then opened things up. Before removing the divider I fed all of the fish VERY WELL, two days worth. There was a little aggression for a couple of days and everything was fine. 6 months later, there is a little aggression but nothing terrible. If feel very well, and days I go light there is definitely more tension in the tank. I hope this helps.

Feet4Fish · Dec 30, 2019

Tank was 225. Trigger was 8 or so inches and purple was about 6-7. Shoal was cool with everyone until about 8-9 inches

Demmelition4 said:
Thank you.

How big was your tank and what was the size of the purple tang and niger trigger? Did the sohal not turn aggressive till it got to 8 inches?

Squidward · Dec 30, 2019

Feet4Fish said:
Tank was 225. Trigger was 8 or so inches and purple was about 6-7. Shoal was cool with everyone until about 8-9 inches

Did he kill them with his scalpel? Or did they die quickly or was a matter of days of injuries?

CoralWealth · Dec 30, 2019

Halal Hotdog said:
I applaud you asking prior to just jumping in. Not to say any of us have more knowledge than you, but there might be experiences that can help.

I don't know how your 180 is laid out, but if there is ample swimming room (no wall of rocks) then I think you will be fine for a few years. Based on my experience (powder blue, blonde naso, purple tang, and clown tang) there are a couple of things you can do to you have a higher success rate. Initial aggression is the the biggest issue. I would definitely QT the fish and getting it eating very well. When I added my powder blue and clown tang to DT, I placed a polycarbonate divider in my tank that allowed the fish to adjust to 1/3 of the tank and be visible to the other fish. The powder blue tang got out and met a lot of aggression. I got him back in the divided area and everything was normal. I left the divider in for around 14 days, then opened things up. Before removing the divider I fed all of the fish VERY WELL, two days worth. There was a little aggression for a couple of days and everything was fine. 6 months later, there is a little aggression but nothing terrible. If feel very well, and days I go light there is definitely more tension in the tank. I hope this helps.

Thank you very much