Tang selection... whatcha think?

[NeveSSL]

Hi guys,

I'm probably going to get all of my tangs at once and add them in all at once. I'm also ordering the smallest tangs I can and let them "grow up" together, so to speak, in an attempt to reduce aggression.

I'm thinking about getting these... tell me whatcha think:

Achilles
Desjardini Sailfin
Flamefin or Goldrim (depending on what's in stock... goldrims tend to be harder to come by)
Purple Tang or Powder Brown (depending on what is in stock)

I've thought about adding a 5th tang in, but I think it may be too much once they grow closer to full size. I may add a smaller tang anyway (half-black mimic tang, perhaps).

I also may buy these one buy one, keep them in frag tanks until I get them all so I can get the exact combination I want and also not spend a ton of money on tangs all at once.

I'm also wanting to add in several other smaller fish (wrasses, gobies, maybe some anthias). Do you guys think I should add all the smaller fish in first and let them get established before I add my tangs? Or would they ignore them since they're completely different?

I'm a complete tang noob as I've never had a tank big enough to get any until now. And yes, I know the achilles is sensitive, but I'd rather try to add them up front than try to add them into an established tank, especially with a powder brown or purple tang. I don't think that would go well.

Brandon

 

[bknapp]

I wouldn't do the Achilles, gold rim and powder. Pick one, they're all very similar even when adding together. As far as the smaller fish go you can add them with tangs at any time, you may see some chasing during the introduction phase but beyond that I've never had an issue. When adding multiples of the same type of fish whether it's wrasse or tang adding then together is best, reduces territories and fighting.

 

[JOKER]

My favorite is the Achilles. I have a flamefin that it a great fish and does very well. Powder brown definitely beautiful fish. I would almost recommend a chevron. What all other fish do you plan to keep?? I think I would decide what else i wanted for sure before deciding on which tangs that way could get more color.

 

[NeveSSL]

I wouldn't do the Achilles, gold rim and powder. Pick one, they're all very similar even when adding together. As far as the smaller fish go you can add them with tangs at any time, you may see some chasing during the introduction phase but beyond that I've never had an issue. When adding multiples of the same type of fish whether it's wrasse or tang adding then together is best, reduces territories and fighting.

Yeah, probably not all 3 of them. I might be able to get away with two of them, though, from what I've read. There are others who have done it and the common denominator seems to be adding them as the same size and at the same time. Good point on doing the same with other fish, also. I may add all of my wrasses at the same time next.

My favorite is the Achilles. I have a flamefin that it a great fish and does very well. Powder brown definitely beautiful fish. I would almost recommend a chevron. What all other fish do you plan to keep?? I think I would decide what else i wanted for sure before deciding on which tangs that way could get more color.

Achilles is my favorite, too. I fell in love with them when I first saw them at the club meeting at The Aquarium in 2009. I like the chevrons, but they change color as they grow or it would probably also be on my list. I am kind of planning on doing what you're suggesting in reverse... pick everything else to coincide with my tangs color-wise.

Brandon

 

[bknapp]

If the chevron stayed the same colors throughout it's life I'd have one, they're awesome as juvis.

 

[NeveSSL]

I agree!

Brandon

 

[JOKER]

That's right I forgot they change. Nice on planning tank around tang.lol. There is another a few more of the bristle tooth that are nice also. Im ready to get my big tank ordered so I can plan more

 

[NeveSSL]

I'd love to get a whitetail bristletooth, but they are hard to come by. Maybe one day, though.

Brandon

 

[NeveSSL]

Oh snap... just found them at PacEast... Polynesian White Tail Bristletooth Tang (Ctenochaetus flavicauda)- several available

Along with Scott's fairy wrasses... one of my all-time favorites... Male Polynesian Scott's Fairy Wrasse - several available

Hmmmm... this has complicated things a bit for me... lol... I seriously may have to order one or both of these... they're both a bit hard to find and these are pretty good prices... and I'll be home next week for delivery...

Brandon

 

[TitansFan]

The White Tail Bristletooth is on my list as well. Beautiful fish! If you order one from there you must post pics and your experience.

 

[Rob.D]

That's one expensive
Kole tang :/

 

[NeveSSL]

The White Tail Bristletooth is on my list as well. Beautiful fish! If you order one from there you must post pics and your experience.

Want to do a group buy? They say they have several in stock!!!

That's one expensive
Kole tang :/

It does look a bit like a Kole tang, doesn't it? **** it, Rob. lol

Brandon

 

[TitansFan]

Want to do a group buy? They say they have several in stock!!!

I would split shipping with yah! Have you ever ordered from them? I was hoping you could be the guinea pig.
Diver's Den had one several weeks ago but i wasn't ready to pull the trigger.

 

[NeveSSL]

I've not, but they usually come to our frag swap and are top notch peeps. I would trust ordering from them. If we split shipping, that would put it at $136.96 each shipped. Not too bad.

Brandon

 

[JOKER]

Those 2 I like for sure. Now you are rethinking your whole list.lol. Should have known better than to ask us questions

 

[JOKER]

Those 2 I like for sure. Now you are rethinking your whole list.lol. Should have known better than to ask us questions

 

[NeveSSL]

I know, Corey, I know... lol

Brandon

 

[pickupman66]

HAHA!!! Honestly Brandon, you have a pretty good selection. Naso are super fish to have and have a great puppy dog personality.

The Achilles has a always been a dream fish for me, but just never had the opportunity. I have read they can be mean. I also loved my Atlantic Blue tang. great fish.

 

[NeveSSL]

Thanks, Lindsey. I love the Atlantic Blue tangs. Seeing them in schools while diving in the Keys was an awesome experience.

I'm still debating. I believe what I will probably end up doing is getting the lesser aggressive and smaller tangs now (flame fin, white tail, maybe Desjardini) and keep them in a 40g breeder that is plumbed into my main system or maybe in my 100g sump, too, until I get all of my tangs together and then add them all into the display at the same time.

Brandon

 

[jen2828]

If you do the Achilles prepare to do an eventual upgrade. Ours grew from 4" to 8" in about 3 years. We just upgraded to an 8 ft tank because he was outgrowing the 6 ft tank we had.