Planning the Tang Gang - advice needed

[nfazio]

Hey Everyone - 94gal tank (48.5*18.5*25)

Just finished cycle on new tank setup and looking to add first fish this week. My question is actually about tangs, which I plan to add at a later date. I had 4 in my old 150gal tank years ago but I’m worried the 94gal may be too small.

Preference is:
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Blue Hippo
Sailfin

Was thinking I might be okay if I can find small and add at same time? But worried about issues down the road... if okay, is it possible to add separately and in what order?

Also, I’m struggling to find good info on best order for adding all the specific Fish, Corals, Inverts, etc... that I want. Is it best to just ask here or is anyone aware of another forum or location to help generate a strategic plan specific to my tank?

I was thinking to see if one of the online suppliers would be willing to offer advice based on purchase commitment or something of that nature. Curious what others have done that they would recommend.

Thx!

 

[Gtinnel]

For fish it's usually best to add them in order from least to most aggressive in my opinion. For corals I add from hardiest to more difficult.

For the tangs I've always heard it's best to add them all at once if they're all aggressive but I've never done it. The sailfin and the blue tang will get way too big for your tank, so make sure you have a plan for something to do with them when they get bigger.

 

[Dbichler]

I certainly wouldn’t do four but you could probably do yellow and a tomini or bristletooth
Definitely not a sailfin.

 

[southerntnreefer]

What about a Caribbean Blue tang instead of a hippo? Striking blue fish, and stays smaller. IF you get it once its started transitioning, and add it before the purple and or yellow, you should be Ok from my understandings.

 

[vetteguy53081]

For growth potential, the hepatus and yellow will be your best bet. They tend to squabble and with limited room will squabble continuously

 

[nfazio]

What about a Caribbean Blue tang instead of a hippo? Striking blue fish, and stays smaller. IF you get it once its started transitioning, and add it before the purple and or yellow, you should be Ok from my understandings.

Caribbean Blue is a nice alternative - thanks for the feedback!

 

[MONTANTK]

I’d definitely only do two max. You can try adding the yellow and the purple together but the purple might get aggressive. If it were me I’d pick between the yellow and purple and then maybe consider a Kole Tang or a Tomini. I’d definitely leave out a blue hippo and Sailfin

 

[nfazio]

Now I regret not going for the bigger tank. Lol

 

[DucatiGtr]

Add them all at once, You are fine. I have had 12-20 tangs for twenty years now.. currently 15 in a large system.. adding them in certain order helps.. all
At once and good feeding I have never seen a problem.. I did have to
Remove some, place in sump a week, then reads after new additions they bullied..

that being said I will never try a sohal or clown tang... I’ve mixed all def kinda and any of them can be a bully when a new fish is introduced.. the bullies are usually the zembrosas for sure.
You are taking 4 tangs! Add them all at once, I had 4 in a 70 tall for years when I first started... a blue hippo, purple, Des sailfin, yellow, small puffer, two clowns and others
I didn’t have much knowledge and my tank and corals were pretty amazing w weekly water changes... now with all the tech in the world I should have no excuse! Lol
Btw get the des sailfin.. one of the most beautiful fish and will be the biggest and king in no time.

 

[DucatiGtr]

What about a Caribbean Blue tang instead of a hippo? Striking blue fish, and stays smaller. IF you get it once its started transitioning, and add it before the purple and or yellow, you should be Ok from my understandings.

The Atlantic blue tang smaller? I believe they get fairly large as well.

 

[AcanthurusRex]

My 5 ft tank is too small for a White Tailed Bristletooth and a Convict Tang. The violence gets old and occasionally takes out a bystander.

 

[Gtinnel]

My 5 ft tank is too small for a White Tailed Bristletooth and a Convict Tang. The violence gets old and occasionally takes out a bystander.

Did the bristletooth do that to the convict? I've had tangs in the past that would slap at other fish with their tail but never enough to cut them like that.

 

[AcanthurusRex]

That is just one instance. This was not the worst incident just a handy photo. The convict is one resilient fish.
The YT did not make it after a belly slash, it was considerably bigger than the WTB at the time. The WTB also slashed a clown straight down through the dorsal well in the to body on both sides, still has the scar.

 

[southerntnreefer]

The Atlantic blue tang smaller? I believe they get fairly large as well.

not hippo or sailfin big.

 

[Montiman]

Well I have alot of tangs and I would say add all at once or at least all the Zebrasoma at once. I moved from a 120 to a 180 and moved my old tangs but wanted to add more. I started from a regal, purple, chevron, and clown and wanted to add 3 yellows and a powder blue. They are all fine now besides some occasional fighting with the yellows during feeding. Generally tangs are most aggressive to fish like themselves. For this reason I would add each genus at once if you can't add all at once.