Can they come home?

[Mini Coop]

Question: I have a fox face and a Sailfin (nick and Judy) still in my 120 at my brother and sister in laws house. I really miss them and have all little fish in this tank - they would add so much and I would love to have them home.
But I don’t want to rush things. I am planning on getting a couple more tangs: maybe a powder blue and a Naso. Judy is huge. And I know they can be territorial so I was waiting to get my tangs until last - and she and nick are best buds so I don’t want to bring him over without her.

Sooo....be patient and wait and add the three tangs at the same time (which will be months down the road I’m sure as I will add them last or close to last). Or would it be ok to bringthem over and still add 2 baby tangs later?

 

[Xanthurum]

If it were me I would wait. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby. I know it’s not the answer you were hoping for but I think deep down you already knew what the best answer was.
I would also suggest you get the Naso long before you add Nick and Judy which should be added at the same time with the Powder Blue. Naso can be very shy at first and it may take a bit of time for it to settle in and be eating well. Having other fish that could further stress the already shy Naso will only make things more difficult. Get all of your other fish prior to adding the final 3 since PBT are well known for being tough on any new additions. Naso tangs aren’t very aggressive towards new addition anyway so adding Nick Judy and the PBT at the same time should go smoothly.

 

[Mini Coop]

So maybe even the naso next?

Current list:
Flame hawk, 2 clowns, scooter dragonette, cardinal, wheelers shrimp goby, McCosker flasher wrasse.
Blue star leopard in QT.

Future list:
Foxface
Sailfin (already have both full grown in another tank)
Naso tang
Powder blue tang
Mandarin
Lyretail anthias (3-5)
And either a niger trigger or pair of blue stars.
Possibly some green chromis for the school and other colors.

 

[Xanthurum]

If the 180 is able to support it then yes. By that I mean I assume it’s up and running and as long as the water quality is stable.
As for your future list of fish I would avoid the green chromis, in my experience and the experiences of friends they will slowly pick each other off until you have 1 or 2 left. I know they are inexpensive but why go through the hassle. The only other issue I see is you have a lot of pod eaters on your list. I would look into the captive bred Mandarins since they are much less dependent on pods for food. Looking forward to pics of the new tank, GO BUCKEYES! Sorry, I see your from Columbus and my family is from Grove City.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Agreed that the naso should be added well before the sailfin gets added.

 

[nereefpat]

Am I missing where you said the tank size will be?

If it's for the 120 gallon, there are a lot of issues with your stocklist.

 

[Mini Coop]

Am I missing where you said the tank size will be?

If it's for the 120 gallon, there are a lot of issues with your stocklist.

It’s a 180 gallon tank. 260 total volume.

 

[nereefpat]

It’s a 180 gallon tank. 260 total volume.

Ah, that's good.

I would still skip the Naso, because of their size (16+").

 

[Mini Coop]

Ah, that's good.

I would still skip the Naso, because of their size (16+").

Would you recommend a third tang at all? If so, what kind? Really trying to add some more color into my tank. Everything I have is kind of the reddish color, or pale.

Curious as to whether people would recommend a pair of blue job triggers or the Niger trigger I am aware of the risk with a Niger. However, I do feed my tank 3 to 4 times a day and would hope that that might keep him busy. And I would get a baby and raise it from very small.
I love the blue jaws, but I know that they are very shy as well. I thought maybe with a pair of them it would be better.

 

[nereefpat]

Would you recommend a third tang at all? If so, what kind? Really trying to add some more color into my tank. Everything I have is kind of the reddish color, or pale.

Curious as to whether people would recommend a pair of blue job triggers or the Niger trigger

A third is possible, but I think you will be a little limited with the mature sailfin and the aggressive powder blue. I would go with something in the Ctenochaetus (bristle tooth) genus. Kole, truncated, etc. The white tail is a showstopper.

I think you might be disappointed with the color of the bluethroat or niger triggers. Lots of wrasses to choose from. The leopard wrasses you mentioned are gorgeous. Don't be afraid to look at smaller fishes that aren't tangs, triggers, etc.