Sailfin tang experiences?

mallorieGgator · Jun 14, 2012

Just wondering what your experiences have been with both types of sailfins. I think they are really awesome and I want to add one to my tank. Thanks!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

chort55 · Jun 14, 2012

If your tank isnt atleast 6' and 180-240g don't do it, they get large and are pretty active swimmers if given the proper amount of room even when smaller. Sure you could get a small one and put it in a 75-90g but your not doing yourself or the fish any favors doing this, and your not going to get the full enjoyment out of them in a smaller tank either IMO.

wysiwyg · Jun 14, 2012

they get big around 15 inchs and at times can be aggresive towards its own species/conspecifics

ritter6788 · Jun 14, 2012

I kept a small one in my 75 for a very short time. Very friendly fish and ate more than any fish I've ever owned. Target feeding corals was a waste because the sailfin would eat right out of the baster. Lol. I passed it on to a guy with a bigger tank and it grew to a beast in about a year.

Reefer Addict · Jun 14, 2012

I have a 5in sailfin in my 210 and he is a model citizen.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

mallorieGgator · Jun 14, 2012

I have a 120 gallon and I've seen them kept in my size tank and they are pretty calm from what I've seen so I was just curious to see what others have experienced.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

pgr11 · Jun 14, 2012

I had my salifin in my 120 and he did great. He was the boss of the tank for sure but a very happy healthy fish. He would eat from your hand and let you pet him. I saw no stress in him at all. He is now in the 265. He is still the boss of the tank but the purple tang stands up to him but nobody fights. The red sea is my favorite of the two.

mallorieGgator · Jun 14, 2012

He would be the only tang in the tank as well if that matters. I know they can be aggressive towards other tangs so he will be alone. There will be a pair of flame wrasses, a yellow-fin flasher, 1 clown, two cromis, and a possum wrasse in the tank.

Aqua Jen · Jun 15, 2012

We love our little sailfin! He is the smallest fish in our 210, and he tries to be the boss!!! He's like a small dog with a big dog complex! lol! He is awesome! He's a fast little thing!

Mike&Terry · Jun 15, 2012

Mallorie, we have a Desjardini and he looks a bit cramped for space at times in our 300g tank. All he has to do is flick his fins a couple of times and he's at the other end of the tank. We've had him for 9 years - a "free to good home" because he had outgrown the tank he was in.

We added one of the big Tunze's to our tank that we run full blast during the day just for him - sort of a "personal endless pool" so to speak. As someone else mentioned, they do require a lot of food and trying to target feed is pretty much pointless, LOL.

Yes, you could keep a smaller one in that size tank for a while, but it really won't work longterm and you'll have to find him a new home.

-Terry

WesF · Jun 15, 2012

I have a 250g and the sailfin is the fastest growing tang I have.

He went from being the smallest tang to the largest very quickly.

mallorieGgator · Jun 15, 2012

Thanks guys!

anyone know of any good safe algae eaters then?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

Mike&Terry · Jun 15, 2012

A Foxface or One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish. We keep one in our frag tank and he does a fantastic job. :bigsmile:

gmoney243 · Jun 15, 2012

There are other tangs that you could get for your size to eat the algae. I would suggest looking in the 8"-10'" size range like tomini

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

mallorieGgator · Jun 15, 2012

Mike&Terry said:
A Foxface or One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish. We keep one in our frag tank and he does a fantastic job. :bigsmile:

I wanted to get a magnificent foxface but almost everyone warned me about them.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

Mike&Terry · Jun 15, 2012

The two that I have lots of experience with are the One Spot and the Foxface Lo. They do a marvelous job of eating algae including bryopsis. I don't know whether it makes a difference or not with their eating habits, but we have always selected small specimens in the 2" to 2.5" size.

Unlike our Regal Angel and Filefish, our Foxface has never messed with any of our corals, including our acans and zoa's.

-Terry

mallorieGgator · Jun 16, 2012

Thank you! I will probably be getting one!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

skinz78 · Jun 16, 2012

Mal, I have had both, and I have the same tank as you. My last one got sucked into a MP40

I would go with the Red Sea, they are great fish and eat algae's that other fish won't. I have also had the suggested Foxface's and they are great with Algae.

AJreefs · Jun 16, 2012

My Sailfin was awesome but definitely could be aggressive and I gave him away since he was out growing my 90 gallon. I wouldn't put one in less than 180 gallon.