Just a random tang question

[haleyf1024]

I have a 110 gallon, currently with 2 clowns, a valentini puffer, a marine betta and a purple tang. I am getting my second batch of fish soon, and just wondered if people usually get a second tang so they take out their anger at each other versus the smaller fish? Or just stick to the one main tang to keep aggression down? My purple is very sweet, and lets the other fish push him around and eat first, even though he is 6" lol. So do more people stay with one tang, or try to have 2? From what I see, a lot of people try to get as many as they can for their system for no real reason other than they like the fish..

 

[4FordFamily]

2 can be trouble. Your tank is really probably too small for more than 3 small tangs, at the size of your purple, you would usually want tangs the same size or Bigger. Many non-zebrasoma tangs get way too large for a 110, but my 55 qt is a tang swarm at the moment as my dt runs fallow (Achilles, 3 PBT, powder brown, hybrid PBT, clown, yellow, purple, Desjardibi Sailfin, and atlantic blue tang. I also have three small dwarf Angels, a Pygmy angel, and a Red Sea regal in there.

Yeah, daily water changes over 75% are critical!

 

[4FordFamily]

Oh and my tangs are all under 3", several are 2". The Achilles is 3.75 and powder brown 3.5. They're all pretty small.

 

[Humblefish]

In a 110 gal, you would do best to stick with just one tang. I'm not saying you can't add another, but expect clashes between them. If you do add a second tang, don't get another Zebrasoma (same genus as your Purple.) Maybe try a Ctenochaetus - although the Purple may beat the snot out of it.

 

[4FordFamily]

I break rules too often in this hobby - but I get away With it with experience, lots of good husbandry otherwise (usually), and adding fish that are not supposed to get along at about the same time if not the exact same time.

I do agree though, a 6" purple tang is going to be a force to be reckoned with. I sold all tangs 4" and larger and replaced them with 2-3" tangs for the most part. More tangs and less aggression for now. I change my tangs out every 3-6 years as they outgrow my tanks - or I upgrade again. Next upgrade is two 10' tanks or perhaps 8'.

 

[TJ's Reef]

If you are going to add another Tang, which I would probably do myself..... I'd add a very small one and of different specie. IMHO/IME adding anything close to the size of current resident Tangs is usually problematic unless adding an additional group (3 or more) I've had very successful introductions of tiny/XS Tangs to existing groups, as small juveniles are not perceived as a threat and slowly assimilate into the mix as they grow. I added both my current Yellow and Kole at around 1.25-1.5" in size and were ignored by the 4-6" resident Tangs Blochi, Naso and Powder Blue.

My 125g 60"x24"x20" on 3/23/13

1/05/15

Cheers, Todd

 

[4FordFamily]

If you are going to add another Tang, which I would probably do myself..... I'd add a very small one and of different specie. IMHO/IME adding anything close to the size of current resident Tangs is usually problematic unless adding an additional group (3 or more) I've had very successful introductions of tiny/XS Tangs to existing groups, as small juveniles are not perceived as a threat and slowly assimilate into the mix as they grow. I added both my current Yellow and Kole at around 1.25-1.5" in size and were ignored by the 4-6" resident Tangs Blochi, Naso and Powder Blue.

My 125g 60"x24"x20" on 3/23/13

1/05/15


Cheers, Todd

Beautiful tank!

I've had the exact opposite experience but I can see the logic there. I generally added tangs larger so they can hold their own. Juvenile additions struggled in the past. Purple tangs are one of the nastiest tangs. Powder blues in my experience are either docile or evil. Most kole I have had were mild. My naso have always been mild tempered. Just my .02

 

[haleyf1024]

We had a PBT, who became best friends with the purple, they were inseparable. Plus the anthia, the three usually didn't leave each other. Then I lost the powder and anthia to uronema and brook If I get another, it would likely be a PBT, Powder brown, orange shoulder, or something of the sorts.

 

[haleyf1024]

I'm not worried about the purple tang becoming aggressive at all, he's very docile, I mean my clown is far more aggressive.

 

[4FordFamily]

My purple was docile until it overthrew my Desjardini Sailfin as tank boss - that's when all of its aggression kicked in

 

[haleyf1024]

My purple was docile until it overthrew my Desjardini Sailfin as tank boss - that's when all of its aggression kicked in

Aren't they the same genus though? I would only consider one of the other types

 

[4FordFamily]

Aren't they the same genus though? I would only consider one of the other types

Yes I added them at the same time, had a yellow too. When the Sailfin was tank boss there was almost zero tang aggression or aggression to newcomers. That changed with the purple he harassed every newcomer of any species for days before backing off

 

[haleyf1024]

I am bad at following "adding fish" rules. I added maybe 5-6 new fish in one day and the purple really didn't care. I have never seen him chase another fish, and he was in a group of 3 purples before I got him. When I put seaweed in the tank, the puffer goes at it first and the purple waits his turn, even though he is like 2-3" bigger than the puffer lol. Maybe he will snap one day, maybe not.

 

[4FordFamily]

I am bad at following "adding fish" rules. I added maybe 5-6 new fish in one day and the purple really didn't care. I have never seen him chase another fish, and he was in a group of 3 purples before I got him. When I put seaweed in the tank, the puffer goes at it first and the purple waits his turn, even though he is like 2-3" bigger than the puffer lol. Maybe he will snap one day, maybe not.

My Sailfin was freakishly kind, too. So maybe you'll be lucky. So was my yellow

 

[Humblefish]

Due to collection laws, most of the fish we buy are juveniles or not that far removed. These tend to be "nicer" because they are not sexually mature yet. Once that kicks in, their temperament can change drastically. They start becoming aggressive with other fish over things like territory and food. I have noticed at least with some fish (mostly large angels) that they eventually outgrow the "puberty stage" and chill out in their "old age".

 

[4FordFamily]

Due to collection laws, most of the fish we buy are juveniles or not that far removed. These tend to be "nicer" because they are not sexually mature yet. Once that kicks in, their temperament can change drastically. They start becoming aggressive with other fish over things like territory and food. I have noticed at least with some fish (mostly large angels) that they eventually outgrow the "puberty stage" and chill out in their "old age".

Makes sense.

I tend to overwelm aggressive fish with a plentora of other aggressive fish. IE several angels, several tangs, etc. It works 95% of the time.

And when it doesn't work, a fish trap and quick action are my friend. My achilles tang is borderline here. Very, very nasty. With the other tangs though, no real damage is done. It remains to be seen if he will be OK in the display with everyone. If not I will have to "try again", or put him in my aggressive large angel tank. He will have a very tough time being a bully in there! The emperor angel tank boss gives everyone a hard time that gets out of line. Surprisingly, my Moorish Idol holds his own there. I have been watching that dynamic closely. Everyone else appears completely submissive. But I assume in the emperor's absense, another aggressor would come forward.

 

[haleyf1024]

Due to collection laws, most of the fish we buy are juveniles or not that far removed. These tend to be "nicer" because they are not sexually mature yet. Once that kicks in, their temperament can change drastically. They start becoming aggressive with other fish over things like territory and food. I have noticed at least with some fish (mostly large angels) that they eventually outgrow the "puberty stage" and chill out in their "old age".

When are tangs considered sexually mature? I know purples get up to 10", although usually not that big in captivity.

 

[4FordFamily]

When are tangs considered sexually mature? I know purples get up to 10", although usually not that big in captivity.

Depends on age more than size I would guess. Probably 3-5" range if I was guessing.

 

[Humblefish]

Depends on age more than size I would guess. Probably 3-5" range if I was guessing.

Exactly. A well fed tang will grow faster than a malnourished one. But still be a big baby (figuratively speaking.) Most tangs I've owned seem to reach maturity within 2-3 years.

 

[Fishguy597]

If you are going to do it I would add a few fish at the same time. I have done larger and smaller. I have had both ways work but the bigger way worked better for me. With the smaller fish they can get bullied into a corner and won't eat. I'm sure you can figure out what happens next.

Tangs are territorial so change your rock work around. They will still be aggressive but the tank will be new to all.