Tangs.. Purple, Blue Regal and Naso

[125mph]

I'm stocking a new 180.. Was planning on a blue yellow belly tang and a purple tang.. but now I'm thinking of throwing in a the naso too.

Any issues with the three? Plan on putting them in at the same time and getting them on the small end. Probably around 2" each.

Does the naso really get that large in captivity? I've had a regal angel stay at 4" forever in a 120g.

 

[VegasUSP]

I have a Purple and Naso in my 120g they are relatively small, Naso is about 4" and the Purple is 3". There is no fighting at all between the two of them. They were introduced at the same time which I thin is key.

 

[GHsaltie]

I saw a naso tang over the weekend that was all of 9-10". It was in a sump because it was too large to house in any of the sale tanks. I do not doubt that it can get larger. I do not have personal experience with the fish however I have heard that they are a slower growing tang, but it's still something to keep in mind that this is one of the largest genus of tang you will find in the hobby.

 

[ca1ore]

Though it may take a while, a naso will eventually outgrow a 180. May be best avoided.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Naso tangs will outgrow a 180. They may be fine temporarily, but will eventually reach close to full size.

 

[goatcorals]

Excuse to get a 400 down the road!

 

[Reefpharmer]

Those three tangs should be ok but as others have mentioned, at some point down the road, the naso will get large. It's by far the biggest eater in my tank and has at times looked like a torpedo. It is getting to the point of being too large for my tank and I'm really hoping it stopped growing.
Fwiw I have a 300g 8 foot tank and this guy is probably 10 inches long.

 

[rmiles54]

I currently have a 180 mixed reef housing a Naso(6"), a Sailfin(5"), and a Powder Blue(5"). All of which were purchased around 2.5/3" range over a year ago. I had always wanted a PBT but scared of its high risk for disease always passed. But the bullet, quarantined for 4 months. Naso and sailfin placed into display. When introducing the PBT I separated about 20" of one end with egg crate for him to acclimate in the presence of tank mates. After a month no visible aggression towards each other when feeding near the divider I removed. The sailfin immediately attacked the PBT and this went on for a few hours. Later a noticed a big gash in the side of the Sailfin and since they have gone there separate ways. I think I was lucky! Now the 3 live together and have there own territories, swim the water Colin together all day long. All 3 are absolutely gorgeous. As for the torpedo comment. My Naso has managed to frag some frags! Wish I could add a purple tang. I'm not willing to take that chance.. good luck.. awesome fish! And definitely an excuse to get a 400 down the road..

 

[rmiles54]

Divider

Gashed

All live together happily now!

 

[Reefpharmer]

^excellent idea, I also used this w my Achilles and powder blue in the beginning. Few days later they stop flashing and posing so I took it out

 

[4FordFamily]

No problem if added at the same time typically, except for the mentioned size issues. It may take 2-5 years but a Naso will outgrow a 180.

 

[BluewaterLa]

I would stay away from the larger surgeon / tang specimens in a 180 tank due to their size versus their health in a small system.
Over time a small specimen will grow to a larger size and mature into a large adult.
When size get to a certain point you will notice a change in behavior as the tang will become stressed from the confines of the tank. Erratic behavior and aggression toward other fish will increase with time, growth and maturity. I've had this happen in a few tanks I've owned in past years with tangs getting larger than most peoples shoe size. While most Naso's are docile they will begin to show symptoms of stress when growing large.
Proper diet and sufficient food will yield proper growth rates and the fish will outgrow the tank quicker than you think.
Most people borderline starve their fish to keep waste down in the tank and tangs are among the top malnourished fish in this hobby due to their high metabolism and pig nature, they not only love food they require a lot of it.
They should have a football shape to them and not slender.

Being my favorite species to keep by far, I can see why they are so highly sought out to be kept in a reef. They provide great algae control, beautiful colors, personalities that range from sweet to demon fish tank terrors haha.
I would be inclined to recommend against keeping a Naso and a few other large types unless the tank was very large with lots of length. Even still systems at and above the thousand gallon range can experience tangs needing to be re homed.
At the end of the day it is personal choice, preference and belief that most folks will use to decide for themselves.
Over time with long term keeping of such species individuals will learn from experience.
Is it worth it ? To some yes and others No.

Good luck with your build, happy reefing
BluewaterLa / Mike.

 

[BluewaterLa]

Just another note. Fish, especially ocean fish species will continue to grow to their normal maximum size.
The old saying that keeping them in a small tank will keep them small is a myth, simply not true.