Adding Gem Tang?

[E.intheC]

I’m hoping for a few outside opinions, as the title states. I have the opportunity to buy a gem tang. Im happy with the price, and they have a few available from 2-3.5 inches.

My tank is about 2 years old, 175 gallon system with a 120 main display. My fish get along well, and I have low nitrate and phosphate. I also think my chromis and anthias act as dither fish.

Should I buy the Gem? And if so, what size do you recommend? Closer to the 2 inch mark or the 3.5?

I have the following fish:

• Blue Regal(Hippo) Tang - aprox 4 inches
• Sailfin tang (2-3 inches)
• Yellow mimic tang (2-3 inches)
• 5 lyretail Anthias
• 11 blue-green chromis
• Mandarin
• Orange back Wrasse
• Purple fire fish

 

[Zach B]

I do love Gems but I think it may be a big risk with 3 established tangs in the tank. Just my opinion, best of luck to you

 

[airedwin]

I don't have much experience but I did try to put a gem tang in a tank with a scopus tang (not same as your sailfin) and my scopus immediately started attacking it with it's razor thing.

 

[polyppal]

you already have a Zebrasoma (sailfin), they are likely not going to get along.

 

[airedwin]

heres a video

 

[airedwin]

you already have a Zebrasoma (sailfin), they are likely not going to get along.

it is possible, just have to get lucky
here is a video of adding purple tang with a yellow tang

 

[jassermd]

Agree with the others on this. I have one that's about 4 in. Gorgeous fish to say the least! It's in my smaller 40g tank as opposed to the 280DT because of what the others have said. I have a yellow tang, dejardin sailfin tang, blonde naso tang, and tomini tang. The yellow and sailfin would have their way with it in seconds...

 

[zheka757]

I have one in my display tank. With 5 othet zebrasomas, here is my opinion on this fish in reef tank with lots of blue lights..... it's hard to see the true beauty of this fish in reef tank. You would have to turn your yellow lights more up to see her beutifull sides. But with blue lights like most of us use, I can't tell a difference between gem tang and purple tang standing 4 ft away from the tank.

 

[Faisal27]

I’m hoping for a few outside opinions, as the title states. I have the opportunity to buy a gem tang. Im happy with the price, and they have a few available from 2-3.5 inches.

My tank is about 2 years old, 175 gallon system with a 120 main display. My fish get along well, and I have low nitrate and phosphate. I also think my chromis and anthias act as dither fish.

Should I buy the Gem? And if so, what size do you recommend? Closer to the 2 inch mark or the 3.5?

I have the following fish:

• Blue Regal(Hippo) Tang - aprox 4 inches
• Sailfin tang (2-3 inches)
• Yellow mimic tang (2-3 inches)
• 5 lyretail Anthias
• 11 blue-green chromis
• Mandarin
• Orange back Wrasse
• Purple fire fish

I added my gem tang in a tank that had a vlamingi tang, unicorn tang , black tang , purple tang and a sail fin tang, blue tang ( basically a bunch of tangs )… the only tang that showed aggression towards him was the black tang … took the black tang and put him in the sump for a few days .. once my gem tang settled in and choose his cave I put him back and it has been equal aggression since then for 8 months now with everyone happy .. just my two cents and my luck I guess .. good luck and beautiful fish to own

 

[situming123]

I have a lot of tangs and waiting my black tang for deliver.

 

[zheka757]

I have a lot of tangs and waiting my black tang for deliver.

wow small tank for so many fishes. kind of cramped

 

[E.intheC]

I do love Gems but I think it may be a big risk with 3 established tangs in the tank. Just my opinion, best of luck to you

Thank you and others for the advice - I decided against the purchase as I already have three tangs. Not worth it. Especially since my fish are getting along well (knock on wood lol)

 

[situming123]

Thank you and others for the advice - I decided against the purchase as I already have three tangs. Not worth it. Especially since my fish are getting along well (knock on wood lol)

that really depend on how luck you are. I add each of tang in different timing. they do fight a bit, just a bit like few hours. so i dont have problem with that. after the 1st few hours they introduce themselves, they get along well.

 

[situming123]

heres a video

that is what exactly they will do when they introduce themselves in the beginning, fighting and getting along well

 

[Crabby48]

Always a risk but have a plan and backup plan. Use an acclimation box and have a trap ready if needed. And yes a gem is worth it to me. Here is some enabling