Hey Tang Police...

Salt1972 · Nov 30, 2017

I need some opinions / advice. My daughter and I ran a 55g for a little over 4 years. In September, we upgraded to a 125g. We've never had any tangs before, but I've been doing a lot of research on various types, feeding, care, compatibility, etc.

NY Aquatics has small purple tangs for $69ea. I've read mostly positive reviews. We are thinking 3... most threads have indicated that when introduced simultaneously and when they're small, we'd have few issues. What say you?

5altkreep · Nov 30, 2017

Ill let the experienced people answer, but that is a beautiful setup you have!

Crabs McJones · Nov 30, 2017

If you have a 125 i would only recommend 1 as 125 is the minimum tank size for one. Wouldn't do multiple unless you had a much bigger tank. They'll he aggressive towards other fish of similar shape.

Salt1972 · Nov 30, 2017

5altkreep said:
Ill let the experienced people answer, but that is a beautiful setup you have!

Thank you. We've worked very hard to design / build ... everything we do is DIY.

iemsparticus · Nov 30, 2017

Typically you'd be OK - you may want to have an acclimation box just in case. I'd want to get some input from @4FordFamily or @melypr1985, however.

4FordFamily · Nov 30, 2017

That could go very badly, numbers more than three safer. You’d be better off mixing other zebrasoma tangs like a yellow, scopas, and purple.

Or mixing other tangs. A group of purples may suddenly murder one another as they’re one of the more aggrsssive zebrasoma tangs.

Salt1972 · Nov 30, 2017

4FordFamily said:
That could go very badly, numbers more than three safer. You’d be better off mixing other zebrasoma tangs like a yellow, scopas, and purple.

Or mixing other tangs. A group of purples may suddenly murder one another as they’re one of the more aggrsssive zebrasoma tangs.

OK. Just to make sure I understand correctly... numbers more than 3 safer. I thought 3 would be pushing max for a 125, no?

4FordFamily · Nov 30, 2017

Salt1972 said:
OK. Just to make sure I understand correctly... numbers more than 3 safer. I thought 3 would be pushing max for a 125, no?

Yes, it would. That’s why I suggested 3 different tangs.

Beautiful tank, by the way!

eatbreakfast · Dec 2, 2017

You could do 3 separate species of tangs, but I would reiterate what 4ford said, purples are a more aggressive Zebrasoma species, so recommend against 3 of those in a 125g.

JaimeAdams · Dec 2, 2017

I know a guy that had 3 for several years in a 180. But as my compatriots above have said Purples can be real jerks. Could it work, yes. Chances of it working long term, not good.

Flippers4pups · Dec 2, 2017

The problem with Zebrasoma's in a 125 is that most will become large, too large for adequate space long term.

People have done it, but me personally don't like seeing full grown sailfin's, desjardini's, scopas, multiple yellows cramped for swim space. Just simply makes me feel bad for them. Not to mention the aggression issues that come with them jammed together. Jwtcw.

I keep a single Tomini in my 125. Seems happy to have the space to swim.

@Salt1972, nice tank by the way!

roberthu526 · Dec 2, 2017

Yellow and purple usually don’t grow large in captivity. You should be fine with one or two tangs under 7 inches.

Baldguy · Dec 2, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
The problem with Zebrasoma's in a 125 is that most will become large, too large for adequate space long term.

People have done it, but me personally don't like seeing full grown sailfin's, desjardini's, scopas, multiple yellows cramped for swim space. Just simply makes me feel bad for them. Not to mention the aggression issues that come with them jammed together. Jwtcw.

I keep a single Tomini in my 125. Seems happy to have the space to swim.

@Salt1972, nice tank by the way!

I agree! Multiple large tangs just don't look right in a smaller tank. One smaller tang and six or eight smaller fish such as wrasse looks more proportionate and more pleasing to the eye. And of course there is the aggression issue.

HB AL · Dec 2, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
The problem with Zebrasoma's in a 125 is that most will become large, too large for adequate space long term.

People have done it, but me personally don't like seeing full grown sailfin's, desjardini's, scopas, multiple yellows cramped for swim space. Just simply makes me feel bad for them. Not to mention the aggression issues that come with them jammed together. Jwtcw.

I keep a single Tomini in my 125. Seems happy to have the space to swim.

@Salt1972, nice tank by the way!

They would be much happier in the ocean instead of a tank if you feel that bad about them, I say keep as many as you can keep alive in your tank.

4FordFamily · Dec 2, 2017

HB AL said:
They would be much happier in the ocean instead of a tank if you feel that bad about them, I say keep as many as you can keep alive in your tank.

Let’s try to keep it constructive and not snide. We can dissent in a kind fashion.

Tuffyyyyy · Dec 2, 2017

4FordFamily said:
Let’s try to keep it constructive and not snide. We can dissent in a kind fashion.

I disagree, sir.

HB AL · Dec 2, 2017

Nothing snide, no matter what size tank any fish much rather be in the ocean than in an aquarium, think about it, tangs aren't some special fish there all equal.

Sycoticrealm · Dec 2, 2017

Yellow and Purple will fight. 3 purples will fight and on rare occasions it works if the rock work correct for them to break eye sight while patroling the tank.
Best bet is go with 3 different species.
Yellow Tangs and Purple Tang are mean as they come tang wise.

HB AL · Dec 2, 2017

Sycoticrealm said:
Yellow and Purple will fight. 3 purples will fight and on rare occasions it works if the rock work correct for them to break eye sight while patroling the tank.
Best bet is go with 3 different species.
Yellow Tangs and Purple Tang are mean as they come tang wise.

My yellow and purple get along great now, the first week was do or die for the purple after being added to the tank the yellow was in for over a year but now they get along great so it is possible.

Sycoticrealm · Dec 2, 2017

HB AL said:
My yellow and purple get along great now, the first week was do or die for the purple after being added to the tank the yellow was in for over a year but now they get along great so it is possible.

In the right system 2 yellow or purple are fine. It always about space 3 purple could work in the right aqua scape.
Same for Purple and Yellow i just wouldn't recommend it.
Also everyone has a different interpretation of getting along for me it no chasing or sizing up ever. I actually prefer one Tang in any tank but people are gonna do what they want.
Much higher success rates and longevity imo when it just one tang unless you have a huge tank.