Let’s Talk Tangs

[MVsea1]

So I upgraded to a 140gl (approx. 5ft long) to get those larger showpiece fish that we all love…tangs being on that list. A yellow tang is pretty much a non- negotiable for me (well, my wife’s prerequisite for getting the tank ), so no wiggle room there. No complaints though, beautiful fish and have always wanted one, especially for their algae eating habits. Would love to add another tang to the mix but I’m hesitant. I’ve read almost every thread and article there is out there about mixing tangs…all the strategies about getting different genus and adding them at the same time, etc. Seems to me like it’s a crapshoot / luck of the draw. Is this really the case or am I overthinking?? Would love to hear what everyone’s experience is with keeping multiple tangs long-term? Specifically a good tank mate for a yellow tang.

 

[N1tew0lf1212]

Tomini are a good choice for smaller systems but maybe get whatever one you want that way you have an excuse to upgrade later "but sweetheart i have to i dont wanna abandon him in his time of need" then boom winner winner chicken dinner

 

[MVsea1]

Tomini are a good choice for smaller systems but maybe get whatever one you want that way you have an excuse to upgrade later "but sweetheart i have to i dont wanna abandon him in his time of need" then boom winner winner chicken dinner

Lolol I like what I’m hearing. Are you in west palm btw? What LFS do you use, I’m in Boca.

 

[zhenya]

I can attest to better all at the same as all my additions took claim very quickly I a 300. I did stagger and now have a Blonde Naso in another tank. It was attacked by one of my incumbent sailfin, but they left a Scopas alone I added at the same time.
Also, and I can say with most fish I’ve kept, it’s always a crap shoot.
If no luck with a yellow tang, have you considered a mimic lemon peel tang, or perhaps a yellow lemon peel angel?

 

[fishguy242]

Yellow # 1 , what are you really looking to add ? tomini ,orange shoulder, convict good options ?...

 

[hexcolor reef]

Clown tangs, I’ll be adding one myself soon

 

[MVsea1]

I can attest to better all at the same as all my additions took claim very quickly I a 300. I did stagger and now have a Blonde Naso in another tank. It was attacked by one of my incumbent sailfin, but they left a Scopas alone I added at the same time.
Also, and I can say with most fish I’ve kept, it’s always a crap shoot.
If no luck with a yellow tang, have you considered a mimic lemon peel tang, or perhaps a yellow lemon peel angel?

Thanks, yellow Angel might be a gamble with coral but never considered the mimic. Interesting fish, going to take a closer look

 

[MVsea1]

Clown tangs, I’ll be adding one myself soon

Nice! I’m jealous! Beautiful fish for sure but probably too big for my tank when it’s fully grown.

 

[denash]

I have a Lavender, mimic (with electric blue around the eyes and on the gills), gem and blonde naso. BTW all went in at different times, just get an acclimation box and let the others get used to the new addition.

 

[MVsea1]

Yellow # 1 , what are you really looking to add ? tomini ,orange shoulder, convict good options ?...

any other interesting tang really. Angelfish IMO are the best looking but not an option unfortunately since they’re not reef safe. the bristletooth tangs and orange shoulder don’t really catch my eye.. although I hear great with algae control. Convicts are cool and different genus from YT I believe, so might be a good option. Thanks!

 

[MVsea1]

I have a Lavender, mimic (with electric blue around the eyes and on the gills), gem and blonde naso. BTW all went in at different times, just get an acclimation box and let the others get used to the new addition.

Nice! What size tank? They all get along long-term?

 

[hexcolor reef]

White tail tang, another nice looking fish

 

[hexcolor reef]

Clown tang getting familiar with its new home. Two weeks at LFS before picking it up
It’s always on the move hard to take pics of it

 

[littlebigreef]

The smaller the tangs are the greater success you’ll have. If you start with a biota yellow tang you can add other similar sized zebrasoma tangs without issue. If it’s a 5’ 140 gal you could also try any number of acanthurus in that 2-3” size, just remember QT and conditioning matter.

That’ll give you several years of enjoyment before they start to get cramped. I’d stay away from clowns and sohals as they’re active fish and really need space.

The powder brown/blue/gold rim and Achilles (and hybrids) are also interesting and look good even at that small size. You could do one of those, the yellow and a trio of hepatus. But, be forewarned once established they’re aggressive.

 

[nkusumoto]

Just stay away from purple tangs. Mine is the bully of the tank and my gem tang took a beating. If you add tangs in the tank I'd recommend 3 at the same time. I wish I got a Tomini or a Kole tang when I put the first two in. Species do play a factor as well. If I do see too much aggression I stick a mirror to the side of the tank.

Also, feed your tang(s) daily with seaweed, mysis, pellets, etc. Helps keep the aggression down and the tangs happy.

Hope this helps!

 

[Debramb]

Our tank has hippo, Salfin and yellow tang. 10 + yrs, upgrading to 125 6’ long so I don’t have to re-home yet!

 

[Debramb]

Oh Jeez, been posting since 2016, I’ll never get it right, I’m sorry ya’ll lol

 

[Debramb]

Only fighting, w/scalpels is when Sally Salfin hoards the Nori from the other guys,

 

[MVsea1]

The smaller the tangs are the greater success you’ll have. If you start with a biota yellow tang you can add other similar sized zebrasoma tangs without issue. If it’s a 5’ 140 gal you could also try any number of acanthurus in that 2-3” size, just remember QT and conditioning matter.

That’ll give you several years of enjoyment before they start to get cramped. I’d stay away from clowns and sohals as they’re active fish and really need space.

The powder brown/blue/gold rim and Achilles (and hybrids) are also interesting and look good even at that small size. You could do one of those, the yellow and a trio of hepatus. But, be forewarned once established they’re aggressive.

Actually a yellow, powder blue and brown trio was my original plan. My LFS pretty much said even if I had initial success the powders were all but guaranteed to fight it out and wouldn’t work long term. Was also hoping to avoid having to re-home in the future which is why I’m not going with the hippo tang since they get huge…shame since I love them . So now I’m thinking a yellow and white tail bristle tooth maybe. Or even avoid a second tang all together and go with a blue throat trigger. Decisions, decisions…

 

[littlebigreef]

Actually a yellow, powder blue and brown trio was my original plan. My LFS pretty much said even if I had initial success the powders were all but guaranteed to fight it out and wouldn’t work long term. Was also hoping to avoid having to re-home in the future which is why I’m not going with the hippo tang since they get huge…shame since I love them . So now I’m thinking a yellow and white tail bristle tooth maybe. Or even avoid a second tang all together and go with a blue throat trigger. Decisions, decisions…

A combination of powders isn’t generally a winning combo but like the zebrasoma tangs they don’t get gigantic and can be had small. In a larger system it would be fine. But, all of that is contingent on initial size. If you start with 2-3” specimens that would likely work long term.

Whatever tang(s) you roll with just take your time, there’s so many to choose from and some are only seasonally available. On a center piece fish no harm in
waiting and blowing the bank if you have one that really speaks to you.

This is my general thought on stocking aesthetics but with a 140gal you can choose your center piece fish- tang, reef safe Angel/butterfly. The surround them with dither fish - colony of grammas, squad of flasher wrasses or a mixed group of dart fish, and that brings you closer to that natural reef look.

Here’s my trio tangs currently in a 125. I’ll be upgrading to a 350+ in the future at which point an 8” maculiceps I have in another system will join them. Given the spotty availability of these guys I’m happy to have them all peacefully cohabitating now.