Help choose new addition

lilchris_357 · Apr 1, 2017

I'm ready to start stocking my tank 180 gallons, I'm on the fence about adding a tang due to aggressive behavior and prone to ick. 2 that has been on my list as possible candidates are Naso or Salfin. I know both can get large but would a 180 work for small size? What about aggression? I've read Nasos are docile not 100% sure though . Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Currently nothing in the tank. I ultimately want a pyramid butterfly, some wrasses and a fathead or blotchy anthia.

pugcrush · Apr 1, 2017

lilchris_357 said:
I'm ready to start stocking my tank 180 gallons, I'm on the fence about adding a tang due to aggressive behavior and prone to ick. 2 that has been on my list as possible candidates are Naso or Salfin. I know both can get large but would a 180 work for small size? What about aggression? I've read Nasos are docile not 100% sure though . Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Currently nothing in the tank. I ultimately want a pyramid butterfly, some wrasses and a fathead or blotchy anthia.

reef safe fish? Invert safe? The naso will outgrow a 180. But I'm a small tank keeper & don't buy fish with plans of upgrading. I've seen plenty of nasos in fellow reefers tanks & they do seem to be on the friendlier side. I'd get any of the bristletooth tangs personally. I know a 180 with plenty of wrasses would look nice.

lilchris_357 · Apr 1, 2017

pugcrush said:
reef safe fish? Invert safe? The naso will outgrow a 180. But I'm a small tank keeper & don't buy fish with plans of upgrading. I've seen plenty of nasos in fellow reefers tanks & they do seem to be on the friendlier side. I'd get any of the bristletooth tangs personally. I know a 180 with plenty of wrasses would look nice.

I've heard bristle tooth tangs can get nasty and I kinda want to stay away from that. Yeah, I know they will outgrow the 180, I guess my conscience is telling me not to get a Naso.

lilchris_357 · Apr 1, 2017

What about the salfin?

Eva Rose · Apr 2, 2017

I would look @ videos & observe tangs live @ several LFS first. You have time, since you add peaceful fish first and more dominant fish -like a tang later.

Sometimes what you think you want changes after observing them in action.
Bristletooths have a lot of personality. There are lots to choose from- Tomini, Kole, Square tail, Whitetail, Two Spot etc. I love mine.

Pyramid butterflies are beautiful! In choosing your wrasse look at articles by evolved on R2R. He gives great detail on different levels of aggression of wrasse . He also tells you how to mix wrasse successfully.