Tiny blue tang compatible with medium yellow and sailfin?

islander84 · Nov 1, 2019

150 DT- 5’x2’x2’ - Would a tiny blue hippo (in qt) be compatible with a medium yellow and desjardini? The yellow and desjardini get along, swim together, eat together, etc...

Billldg · Nov 1, 2019

I would have to say, short term no, The other tangs have learned to live with each other, when you introduce the 3rd tang, being smaller, they will bully it and possibly kill it. I would at least wait a little while until the blue tang grows and then introduce the tang.

@HotRocks , @4FordFamily any advice and suggestions?

HotRocks · Nov 1, 2019

I could go either way. Hippos love to hide. If he is much smaller than the others he may go unnoticed. It’s 50/50. The tank isn’t large enough for a long term home though as they grow rather quickly from juvenile. If you have plans to upgrade in a couple years or a good second home when he outgrows the tank you could try it.

4FordFamily · Nov 1, 2019

In the short term a small hippo will be fine most likely. For whatever reason they seem to fly under the radar. I believe it’s due to their ability to hide/wedge in the rocks unlike other tangs and that they look so different from other tangs.

Of course, with tangs nothing is a guarantee. It’s true that the desjardini and hippo will outgrow the tank in relatively short order.

dvanrij · Nov 1, 2019

The sailfin would be the problem. You could mount a mirror on the aquarium glass. This may distract the sailfin with its reflection. Worked for me

Dragon52 · Nov 1, 2019

The Hippo has a different body shape so it may not be an issue but like @Billdig stated the other 2 could go after it. If you know that you want to add it I would get an acclimation Box & keep it in that for a cpl days to view any interaction. When I added mine it was about 1 1/4" & the others didn't even notice him, now he's the bigger one.