Tang compatability
- Thread starter reefking807
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Rjramos
Valuable Member
And if they do grow more, I'll upgrade to a bigger tank or donate them to someone starting up a nice big set up. Point being this guy that started this post might be fine with his Powder blue and other tang.
gacolt
JEEP STUFF
i dont see a problem.i keep 2 yellow tangs,1purple tang,1salfin tang,1 naso tang in the same tank with no problem.i do think when adding new tangs try to put bigger tang then the one thats already in the tank.maybe put the new tang in the sump at first so he can get adjusted to your tank before putting in display.also add at night and feed a little more to keep the old tang calm.if you do see them fighting take a long plastic stick and use it to brake up the fight.
I don't get this. You state that your Tangs are fully grown and healthy in your 4' 120, yet they clearly are not full grown. Even the two smaller Tangs look more like young adults than full grown. How much do you feed? If its not food than it must be the environment? The one that stands out is the Blue Hippo of course.
I am not trying to pick apart your husbandry or anything, just looking to see if the reason your Tangs are not full grown is strictly due to environment, or something else.
Kworker
Tang Lover
I never understood the appeal for people to jam a large amount of tangs in the same tank.
In reality these fish have a good deal of their own territory in the wild away from each other. They have that sharp thing you see them wave around for a reason.
A few tangs I can see, but in my opinion more than that is just pure disrespect for life.
In reality these fish have a good deal of their own territory in the wild away from each other. They have that sharp thing you see them wave around for a reason.
A few tangs I can see, but in my opinion more than that is just pure disrespect for life.
Last edited:
Rjramos
Valuable Member
I made a mistake by calling them full grown. To bring out the ruler on the issue, the hippo is 7", and the yellow and purple are about 5 1/2", at 7 yrs, in the ocean they would be full grown I assure you. But in anyone's fish tank because of environment and controlled feeding which everyone in this hobby does, natural growth is never gonna be matched. All of these fish started were bought as small as they are sold, so at 7 yrs, it's probably normal growth in captivity. If I am wrong, then show me a full size of these at 7 years in a fish tank? I feed 3 4x4" sheets of nori every morning, and 4 cubes of mysis shrimp every evening to all the tank inhabitants. The fish have thick bodies with vibrant colors.
Rjramos
Valuable Member
KC, I am appalled and even a little insulted at your comment. I'm sure you are generally speaking but you did quote me. In the first place, where do you differentiate between "a few" which to me is 2-3, and "a large amount of tangs in the same tank"? How many gallons? So its ok in a 125 cause its 2ft longer but 6" narrower front to back?You are right in saying that fish in the wild have a lot of space to themselves, maybe we should all give up this hobby of taking a tiny slice of it home to our living rooms, because truly no ones tank compares to the vastness and volume of the ocean. Not Miami Seaquarium, Sea World, Atlanta aquarium or Waikiki. And go look at what they are keeping and have attempted to keep! Including mammals that are smarter and higher evolved living things. The discovery channel is enough for me when it comes to these, maybe it should also be when it comes to our reef aquariums, in your opinion? I can tell you about me, as an avid diver and fisherman down here in south florida, I am one of the most conservative around. Just the other day, I took back out and down to the reef a bristle worm I captured in one of my tanks, how many hobbyist, some that unfortunately don't have the ocean nearby, would have flushed him down the toilet. Furthermore, when I'm out there, I collect the most pristine water that can be used for monthly water changes from right over the reefs or in gulfstream 6+ miles out. No mixed batch of water can match this, I always hear people comparing/ complaining about different mixes. Some fellow hobbyist feel this alone is part of my success for 25 years in the hobby. And if things ever get conservative about keeping these animals at home, then I'll give it up and enjoy the aquarium that God has made for all to enjoy, The Sea. Come on down, and I'll personally take you out there to see for yourself for free.
Best regards
I agree.
People will do as they wish w/ their tanks, I just try to give suggestions or enlighten people that may be new to hobby or not familiar w/ what has become our standard recommendations in order to be humane to the animals we keep.
Confining or crowding can lead to substandard health or invite disease/ich
Kworker
Tang Lover
Honestly, you seem like you got a little too insulted at what I said. I think it is pretty clear what I mean.
EDIT: I read it first around and got too annoyed first time, apologies. When I read it again I saw that you said "we".
My opinion is only the smaller species that are already in the trade should remain in it. The rest should be a lot harder to come by. Hippo tangs are probably never really kept in suitable tank, there is no way to argue against that. I feel the LFS should not have dozens of them.
If you were to look at my stock list in my 180gal that is clearly listed in my signature, you will see I only have two tangs in a 180. Would I add another? Possibly, but probably no more. Like I mentioned, that is my opinion and I stock lightly. If you would like a more accurate number for what I consider not good for the 120 mentioned in this thread, I think 2 tops. I gave my suggestion which was a bristle tooth. I don't understand people with 6-7 tangs in a tank and I think that is ridiculous. If you don't like my opinion I can live with that.
Last edited:
Rjramos
Valuable Member
In my opinion, 3 in a 120 gal is fine, I wouldn't put another one in there. And if your gonna do it, do it while they are small and the tank is new. They grow used to each others presence. Species is important, and I agree hippos do get big. In my case, I picked him up really small from a friend breaking down to move away. They do get along, and are healthy though. If anything changes, I would be willing to donate, to a bigger hobbyist tank.
