Gem tang and Blue hippo tang?

[saltwaterscrub02]

I’m purchasing a gem tang(2-3 inches) for my 100 gal tank. was looking to pair it with a similar size hippo Tang Or a juv yellow belly blue tang (1 inch) would they be ok to put them in the same tank? they’d be the first 2 fish to be introduced to the tank as well.

 

[EliMelly]

What’s your question?

 

[saltwaterscrub02]

What’s your question?

Whoops lol, Would it be ok to pair my gem tang with either blue tang?

 

[EliMelly]

Whoops lol, Would it be ok to pair my gem tang with either blue tang?

Yes both aren’t aggressive tangs. What is the tank length? It may be small for a hippo unless you plan to upgrade. Just my two cents.

 

[mikereefing]

To be honest, you may see a lot more aggression between them in a 100g when they get bigger. I had to separate out my purple tang from my hippo when they both got larger. But YMMV as some people have success. If I had to choose again starting off, I would just not do it just to save myself the headache later. My hippo turned out to be a huge bully when it got larger

 

[saltwaterscrub02]

Yes both aren’t aggressive tangs. What is the tank length? It may be small for a hippo unless you plan to upgrade. Just my two cents.

36 x 36 x 16, getting them small and kick that can down the road

 

[saltwaterscrub02]

To be honest, you may see a lot more aggression between them in a 100g when they get bigger. I had to separate out my purple tang from my hippo when they both got larger. But YMMV as some people have success. If I had to choose again starting off, I would just not do it just to save myself the headache later. My hippo turned out to be a huge bully when it got larger

Yes that’s my fear was hoping if introduced small they might workout , but think I might save myself the headache as well.

 

[EliMelly]

That’s really small I thought it was minimum 4 ft. I wouldn’t add even one unless you really plan on upgrading…

36 x 36 x 16, getting them small and kick that can down the road

 

[saltwaterscrub02]

That’s really small I thought it was minimum 4 ft. I wouldn’t add even one unless you really plan on upgrading…

Thank for you your insight!

 

[nereefpat]

I think they will be okay for a while. And then, eventually, they may not tolerate each other. The hippo (standard or yellow belly version of the same species) will likely outgrow that tank. Sometimes the hippos get huge (10"), but not always. Sometimes they don't get over the 6-8" length.

What other fishes do you plan on adding? Adding tangs first generally isn't the best idea. I haven't kept a gem, but I have kept most of the other close cousins in the Zebrasoma genus. They can get really mean in tight quarters.

36 x 36 x 16, getting them small and kick that can down the road

I'm getting 90 gallons there.

 

[saltwaterscrub02]

I think they will be okay for a while. And then, eventually, they may not tolerate each other. The hippo (standard or yellow belly version of the same species) will likely outgrow that tank. Sometimes the hippos get huge (10"), but not always. Sometimes they don't get over the 6-8" length.

What other fishes do you plan on adding? Adding tangs first generally isn't the best idea. I haven't kept a gem, but I have kept most of the other close cousins in the Zebrasoma genus. They can get really mean in tight quarters.


I'm getting 90 gallons there.

Transfering a pair of clowns and angelfish from my smaller tank(eventually) , I enjoy keeping corals so for fish might be 6 total max sometime down the line, I’ve just always wanted a tang, so think going with just the gem tang. Appreciate the advice on the hippos

 

[beamers]

Hippos are normally quite docile. Good first tang addition options. Putting them in at the same time will help your chances of getting them used to each other from the start.

There’s no sure fire rule with tangs. Sometimes they are jerks. Sometimes they aren’t.