Question For The Tang Police

[blue.flyzz]

I will be upgrading my 75 gallon softy and LPS to a 125 mixed. My plan is to set up the new 125 (I have about 50 pounds of base rock seeded in my QT to start it off), have it cycle, and then add 3 or 4 Tangs first. Once they are set and established in the new tank alone, I plan on merging in my existing rock, corals, and fish. I have an additional 50 pounds of dry rock and dry shelf to add to the aquascape (besides what I already have in my 75). I currently have a 6" one spot fox face, a 4" anthias, a 2" royal gramma, a bonded pair of ocellaris, a 3" red stripe angelfish, and 2 tiny greenbanded gobies.

So my questions are:
1. If I'm going about this upgrade to a 125 in the wrong way, please let me know and why (or offer any suggestions/helpful info)
2. If my approach is correct, what 3 or 4 Tangs should I start out with? I was thinking a Naso, a Hippo, a Purple, and either a Powder Blue or Powder Brown.

Thanks for your time and expert opinions.......Sal

 

[rworegon]

I think you are doing it exactly oppesite. Tangs tend to be much more aggressive and territorial once they are established. I would transfer your existing livestock to the new tank first and let them get established. Then add the tangs. Maybe put the tangs in QT together to let them work out their pecking order without poutting the other fish into the mix and then add them all at once. This way therre is much less chance of the tangs taking out their frustrations on the smaller less agressive fish.

 

[fungia_fiend]

I would move your existing livestock first. Tangs can be a little aggressive. Let your existing stock settle in before adding new stuff.

 

[Trex]

Personally, I would skip the "naso" (( assuming you are taking about N. lituratus/elegans )), just get way too big for that sized tank.

Also, agree to add the any tangs last, if they are established they won't take to kindly to your existing livestock being added to the tank.

 

[blue.flyzz]

thanks for the replies, my lack of experience with tangs is obvious lol.....so now that we've established the tangs will go in last, what's a good grouping/combo for my 125?

 

[Marshall O]

I would definitely skip any Naso Tang, and also the Blue Hippo. I don't feel a 125 is large enough. You could certainly do the Purple and either Powder Blue or Brown though. In my 125 I am adding a Yellow Eye Kole Tang and Powder Brown. Both are in my 46 QT as we speak.

 

[blue.flyzz]

I would definitely skip any Naso Tang, and also the Blue Hippo. I don't feel a 125 is large enough. You could certainly do the Purple and either Powder Blue or Brown though. In my 125 I am adding a Yellow Eye Kole Tang and Powder Brown. Both are in my 46 QT as we speak.

Thanks Marshall, I'm thinking a Kole as well now

 

[kb1094]

You will need to add all your existing livestock first, and then the tangs you want. However, if you cannot add all those tangs together at the same type there is no problem. You can add the purple tang first or last since he has a different body shape compared to the other tangs you want. I will recommend to add the powder, naso and hippo all together. Just to let you know hippo grow really quick.

 

[pickupman66]

naso - NO. way to much swimming room needed and they get BIG. I have an 8" one in my 180 and let me tell you..the tank seems too small. Great fish though. mine is hand fed.

Blue Hippo - OK for a while. but they get big and needs lots of room. I have a 6" one

Purple - Good choice. I had one. they do get big and mean though

Powder blue - NO. way too high strung for that size tank. I have never owned but am familiar

Powder brown - Good choice. I have owned two over my reefing career. I had one in a 75 who was a great fish, and I have a 4-5" one now in my 180. Awesome personality and nowhere near as high strung as their blue brothers.


I also have an atlantic blue in my tank. Great fish as well but MEAN SOB.

 

[cdness]

First off I must say the Tang Police and their typical tactics are not welcome here so no need to call them out

I think the prior posters have it down really well. That Naso will get too big so I would recommend against that one. I personally have a Blue Hippo tang in my 125G but it was purchased small so it has been fine. However with that said I can say they grow very fast so watch sizing for sure.

After seeing the two tangs in my 125G i can say that adding the purple I have in QT will be the last addition to the tank, at least tang related. That tank looks huge when sitting there empty, but it looks much smaller when you have larger fish in there. I would consider cutting your selection down to the three you like the best and go that route. Four tangs I feel would be a little crowded.

Make sure you post pictures of the upgrade and new tank build!

 

[CastAway]

So is it gallons, or tank dimensions, that is critical for tangs? I have a 150, but it's only five foot long. How long is the 125 blue.flyzz?

 

[cdness]

So is it gallons, or tank dimensions, that is critical for tangs? I have a 150, but it's only five foot long. How long is the 125 blue.flyzz?

Neither... Or should I say both...

It really depends on the fish, its behaviors, max size, bioload created, social interaction, and other tank mates... There is no perfect equation to use to get the ideal size for the fish in question...

 

[Tradewinds]

So is it gallons, or tank dimensions, that is critical for tangs? I have a 150, but it's only five foot long. How long is the 125 blue.flyzz?

IMO - The most important factor is the length of the tank. The more horizontal swimming area you can offer the better.

 

[blue.flyzz]

Thanks KB1094 and all that answered, I appreciate your advice and support very much. Here’s my new line-up:
Purple
Powder Brown
Kole

Purple - Good choice. I had one. they do get big and mean though
Powder brown - Good choice. I have owned two over my reefing career. I had one in a 75 who was a great fish, and I have a 4-5" one now in my 180. Awesome personality and nowhere near as high strung as their blue brothers.

Thanks Lindsey, you helped me decide on which of the Powders J

Four tangs I feel would be a little crowded.

Make sure you post pictures of the upgrade and new tank build!

[FONT=&quot]Thanks for the advice CD…I definitely will start a thread, I’m building my own stand and sump out of a 55g. Nice build on your end and beautiful set-up.

So is it gallons, or tank dimensions, that is critical for tangs? I have a 150, but it's only five foot long. How long is the 125 blue.flyzz?

IMO - The most important factor is the length of the tank. The more horizontal swimming area you can offer the better.

thanks Tradewinds & Jeff, it’s a 6 footer.[/FONT]

 

[pickupman66]

Ill supplement to what CDness said. 4 tangs in a 6 foot tank DOES feel overcrowded at times.

case in point.. mine...

webcam link.
http://huffhines.dyndns.org:7902/browser.html

you should be able to see all 4 of them and their activity.

 

[blue.flyzz]

Ill supplement to what CDness said. 4 tangs in a 6 foot tank DOES feel overcrowded at times.

case in point.. mine...

webcam link.
http://huffhines.dyndns.org:7902/browser.html

you should be able to see all 4 of them and their activity.

Thanks for the view Lindsey, yes I can see it....I'm loving your Pyramid Butterfly, I want one too, I signed up for availability alerts as I can't seem to find one. Any suggestions? Also, please let me know how you feel about yours....thanks.....Sal

 

[pickupman66]

Love love love that fish. I want to more but have too many fish now. Eats anything . Nori from hand. Docile reef safe. Perfect fish.

 

[KoleTang]

Make sure the kole is eating before you buy it. Some will never eat anything besides the algae off the rocks. It took 2 weeks to get mine eating frozen and flake.

 

[TJ's Reef]

All good advice above with some reasonable choices given on Tang groups. I to have a 125g (60"x24"x20") currently with five Tangs. A 6+" Blochii, 5.5" Naso, 4.5" Powder Blue, 3" Kole and 2.5" Yellow.... I am looking for a new home for the Blochii and will be upgrading to at least a 8' 300g or larger in next year so can keep Naso, Powder Blue and add a few new ones to the mix. A pic and short vid from last July ? the noise from my old MP-40 I ditched and before some substantial re-aquascaping.





​Cheers, Todd

 

[blue.flyzz]

Make sure the kole is eating before you buy it. Some will never eat anything besides the algae off the rocks. It took 2 weeks to get mine eating frozen and flake.

Thanks for the advice Lucas....Sal