keeping multiple tangs in a 210 gallon tank

pfcbizz · Feb 23, 2012

Hi, I'm working on my 210 gallon tank to with I plan to have tangs as one type of fish I want to keep and I have a list of different types of tangs, I know I can't keep all of them but I'd like to know if they would be ok in the same tank, my tank is 8ft x 30H x 18W, these are the Tangs I'm interested in:
1. Naso Tang
2. Yellow Tang
3. Blue Tang
4. Kole Yellow Eye Tang
5. Blue Caribbean Tang
6. Bristletooth Toni Tang
7. Yellow Belly Regal Tang
So I'm looking for any and all info about my choices.

fraggingfish · Feb 23, 2012

I personally had more than 6 tangs in my 180 and they all get along just fine.
Here's the order and sizes.

1. Chevron 3"
2. Blue Regal 4"
6. Sohal 4.5"
4. Purple 4.5"
5. Black 3.5"
3. Yellow 4"

It's in accordance to how you introduce them.
The way I see it, introduce the most aggressive and largest last.
Start with smaller varieties, they'll be less territorial.

A few ways to introduce fish;

- Introduce them all simultaneously.
- Introduce with lights off.
- Introduce with no rocks, so no real estate is claimed until all fish inhabitants are housed.
- Rearrange rocks when introducing
- Introduce the new tank mate in a small container inside the display, to see reaction of others prior to releasing.

I'm sure there are other methods of approach, but these have been working swell for me.

Goodluck on your adventure.

pfcbizz · Feb 24, 2012

So my selection of tangs are good ? and what about acclimating them seeing they have to be done one at a time ?

fraggingfish · Feb 24, 2012

The selection is fine, it really doesn't matter what you get honestly, it's how you introduce them.

You can use the small container in tank method, with lights out.
For each addition to your system, you can monitor them in the box and see their reaction with other inhabitants.
If all goes well after 2-3 weeks, having completed QT procedures, you can release.

Hope this helps!

reefknight · Mar 22, 2012

I have a 5+" Blonde Naso and a 2.5" Fowleri in my 185 currently. Will be adding a 3" Tomini in a couple of weeks as well. Absolutely no aggression when I introduced the Fowleri surgeon a few weeks ago. Naso had been in the system for about 2 months or so. I may use the acclimator box when adding the Tomini though due to the conspifics of the Fowleri and the Tomini.

strange33w · Mar 22, 2012

Once your list is what you want I would just add them from the most passive to the most aggressive.

Devonjevon · Mar 22, 2012

fraggingfish said:
I personally had more than 6 tangs in my 180 and they all get along just fine.
Here's the order and sizes.

1. Chevron 3"
2. Blue Regal 4"
6. Sohal 4.5"
4. Purple 4.5"
5. Black 3.5"
3. Yellow 4"

Goodluck on your adventure.