Tang Compatibility Question

[schooncw]

I have a mixed 120 gallon with a great deal of live rock, lots of crevices and hiding spots. My Yellow Tang is 4 years old and I am thinking of adding a very small Purple Tang. My question is: do you think the little guy will stand a chance? Am thinking with so much rock and hiding places, there is a good chance that the answer is yes.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have a mixed 120 gallon with a great deal of live rock, lots of crevices and hiding spots. My Yellow Tang is 4 years old and I am thinking of adding a very small Purple Tang. My question is: do you think the little guy will stand a chance? Am thinking with so much rock and hiding places, there is a good chance that the answer is yes.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Adding tangs are best when they are introduced into a new tank simultaneously. This keeps aggression over territory at a minimum. Having multiple tangs in a 4' tank will be difficult as they do best in a tank with room to swim. 6' or larger depending of types of tangs.

With the yellow already being in the tank, it's established a territory. Adding another similarly shaped Tang into the tank maybe asking for aggression.

 

[nereefpat]

With the yellow already being in the tank, it's established a territory.

That's going to be a tough one. A single, 4 year established yellow, and then adding a close cousin to it in a 4' 120.

Could I talk you into a dwarf angel, or rabbitfish instead?

 

[vanpire]

It would be better if you added multiple smaller tangs if you want to add the smaller purple. Maybe include 2 yellows the same size as the purple. The additional smaller tangs will keep the larger yellow busy until they all settle in.

Barring that, adding a purple the same size as your yellow would be a better bet.

 

[Gene Ashton]

I had a smaller 3" sailfin Tang for about a year. I was offered to rehome a 4" purple Tang and I was very nervous. Both were eating and very healthy in their own tanks, Sailfin in my RSR 450 and Purple in his RSR525. Brought the Purple home, acclimated and gently let it swim away. I've always loved Yellow Tangs but worry about sensitivity to disease and bullying as mentioned above so I had been looking into a Purple. They have been together about a month and get along ok. I realize my RSR 450 only being 90 gallons maybe on the small size but they are eating and healthy. During feeding they get a little aggressive but I tend to feed on the light side. I was so worried I almost didn't do it but in the end I'm glad I did. You having a 120 might be ok but I'd make sure you have plenty of hiding spots or a cave. I'm no where as experienced as most of you here but some say trial and error make this hobby fun. I tried I got lucky.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Id vote pyramid butterfly fish. Mainly because i am on divers den atm and looking at one and just love butterflies.

If could catch the yellow, and remove then do a mild rescape, qt the purple and yellow together, then add both together may get you around the territory issues if near the same size. But this might work the opposite direction, since the purple is a more inherently aggressive member of the genus.

 

[schooncw]

No chance catching the Yellow! He is 4 years or so and the purple is about 3". My thought was, that w so much rock, it could hide, eat and avoid the large Yellow.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Purple likely wont stand a chance.

 

[ca1ore]

How large is the yellow? I think the general advice to not try is good. The purple is the most aggressive of the zebrasoma tangs so it’s not impossible.