Should I buy?

[40g Nano]

My lfs has a really small purple tang that they have had for about 2 months

it is $100, but has hlle and has nipped fins from another purple tang being with him

I see him picking at rocks, and can ask for him to be fed if I’m serious about it

I have long term plans for him but for now, he will go into a 40 gallon mixed reef

should I buy him?
Thanks for the advice

 

[Reef.]

Yes but ask for a lower price.

 

[40g Nano]

Well it is probably 25% off actually since there is a sale for the holidays

 

[Chessmanmark]

I had one years ago that was a rescue fish. A friend took it and gave it to me to take care of. Once they get that bad they don’t generally get better. If the fish is in bad shape you are doing them a favor. I would state that to the LFS. You have to be committed to a long term relationship with a disfigured fish. Most people want unblemished specimens.

 

[G Santana]

If it eats and you can get him under 100, I'd give it a shot!
A number of fish, with good diets have made a strong comeback from HHLE

 

[40g Nano]

Also, could he live in the same tank as a yellow tang the same size?

I don’t have the yellow yet, and if I added both, would doing it at the same time be good?

they would be the only fish with a pair of clowns, a small goby, and a tiny dragonet

 

[40g Nano]

i would definitely upgrade to a tank around 100 gallons when they outgrow

 

[G Santana]

As long as you realize that eventually you will have to upgrade

 

[40g Nano]

How could I minimize any possible aggression?

 

[G Santana]

How could I minimize any possible aggression?

You can't in 40 gallon. You can only hope for the best.
I just put purple tang and a yellow tang in a 130, they have been sparring for a couple of weeks but nothing serious and it has gotten alot better since they have nori 24/7
But you can't know and in a 40 gallon you have no room for error

 

[Reef.]

How could I minimize any possible aggression?

I would think adding them the same day, feed a lot to distract them would help.

 

[40g Nano]

I got another tank that one could be in if aggression is too much, maybe an acclimation box would be beneficial?

 

[40g Nano]

I’m getting the yellow tang captive bred, from quarantined fish.us, but he hasn’t found one as of yet

so the yellow would be going in after the purple most likely

 

[Reef.]

I’m getting the yellow tang captive bred, from quarantined fish.us, but he hasn’t found one as of yet

so the yellow would be going in after the purple most likely

my guess that would give you more of a chance, it will be used to living in a tank with other fish and not fighting for food, but with tangs it’s rolling the dice.

 

[40g Nano]

I could just have to put multiple nori clips in, one on each side to maximize food supply

 

[40g Nano]

Unless there is something else at the fish store that will blow my mind, I think I will get the purple tang

so when in quarantine, since the fish has been looking fine already, should I go straight into medication? Or just wait until any possible disease/parasite develops?

 

[Reef.]

Unless there is something else at the fish store that will blow my mind, I think I will get the purple tang

so when in quarantine, since the fish has been looking fine already, should I go straight into medication? Or just wait until any possible disease/parasite develops?

there are a few medical guys on here, I would try and find out who they are and tag them for advice but if mine I would be more inclined to just observe in qt as the poor thing has been through a lot all ready.

 

[40g Nano]

@Jay Hemdal is very helpful, so maybe I should get his advice.

 

[vetteguy53081]

$75-80 would be a fair price.
Negotiate the fact that you have to nurse it back to normal health OR Request some essential foods as part of the deal.
The HLLE is likely due to both water quality and diet. Maintain optimum water quality focusing on Ammonia -nitrate-salinity-temp.

Salinity 1.024-1.025
temp 77-79
ammonia < .03
Nitrate < .04
Ph 8.7-8.3

Diet :

Spirulina Brine shrimp
LRS Herbivore diet
mysis shrimp
Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
small plankton
Formula 2 flake and frozen

Add Selcon vitamin to the foods 2-4X per week and add garlic extract on the alternating days for immune system health

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My lfs has a really small purple tang that they have had for about 2 months

it is $100, but has hlle and has nipped fins from another purple tang being with him

I see him picking at rocks, and can ask for him to be fed if I’m serious about it

I have long term plans for him but for now, he will go into a 40 gallon mixed reef

should I buy him?
Thanks for the advice

If it isn’t skinny, and if you don’t expect the HLLE to improve, and don’t honk it looks too bad, then go for it. Just quarantine it (grin).
Jay