What is it with Tangs?

[FishyFishFish]

Now I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that there are many different types, but why are Tangs so (apparently) popular?

Quite often, newbies and/or those with small tanks, as well as experienced aquarists, appear to be drawn to them. I find them a bit weird looking!

Aside from the Dory effect, what is it that you think make Tangs so popular? Is it the overall look of the fish, the colors, the personalities, the challenge of keeping them happy, a combination of these or something else?

What makes you love your Tang?

 

[nashvillian]

They are the Roomba of fish

 

[flashsmith]

I keep them purely for their ability to clean algae up and poop. Feeding the corals. I would have to keep 2 dozen tailspot blennys to get the same output of 1 tang.lol

 

[Doctorgori]

all or one of them always turns into a pet, they are pretty bright fish as fish go

 

[DeniseAndy]

I have never been drawn to tangs aside from on the reef when snorkeling or diving. I do love the kole tang for its cleaning and beauty. I have some yellow too as they are very active, bright color, and good cleaners too.

Other than those, I have never been a tang person. The monster tanks are neat with the larger species though. More like being on a reef. My 6g has some of the coolest creatures to watch, so smaller animals are fun too.

 

[unchaotic]

My Naso is an awesome looking fish and obviously the smartest one in the tank (you can even see it in his eyes). Last night my wife pointed out that he was swimming around weird and that I should make sure he was ok. Turns out he was trying to get our attention because the auto feeder was empty and he was starting to get ticked off.

It's also an interesting way to witness the nitrogen cycle as I feed him macro algae that is partially sustained by his own poop.

 

[rwreef]

Utility fish that keeps my rocks clean. Another benefit is they are beautiful and fun to watch.

 

[FIN&BONEZ]

I had a large naso who acted more like a dog then a fish. Personality!

 

[Floyd-]

I think mine are the smartest fish in the tank. I have a sailfin and a blue tang (Dory).

 

[Joe462]

Now I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that there are many different types, but why are Tangs so (apparently) popular?

Quite often, newbies and/or those with small tanks, as well as experienced aquarists, appear to be drawn to them. I find them a bit weird looking!

Aside from the Dory effect, what is it that you think make Tangs so popular? Is it the overall look of the fish, the colors, the personalities, the challenge of keeping them happy, a combination of these or something else?

What makes you love your Tang?

First, they eat algae, that is far and away my favorite thing about them. but they are also very colorful and provide a lot of movement.

 

[hllb]

Combo of looks and utility. Compare a yellow tang to a lawnmower blenny and which are you drawn to first for algae control?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Combo of looks and utility. Compare a yellow tang to a lawnmower blenny and which are you drawn to first for algae control?

Algae blenny actually. I love those guys! Mine is fat and hilarious.

 

[flashsmith]

People often complain about the cost of tangs but how much would it cost to fill up a large system with nano fish that will work? Put it in that context and they are a bargain.

 

[hllb]

Algae blenny actually. I love those guys! Mine is fat and hilarious.

You love him because you've had one and you know they have better personalities....but looking in a book or at the LFS? Unlikely to pick one.

 

[unchaotic]

You love him because you've had one and you know they have better personalities....but looking in a book or at the LFS? Unlikely to pick one.

Book maybe, but I saw a lawnmower blenny at a Petco attack a piece of nori like this and I was sold!

On a side note: we found out our Border Collie actually likes to eat cabbage ... he's a weird dog.

 

[Aquajamin]

Now I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that there are many different types, but why are Tangs so (apparently) popular?

Quite often, newbies and/or those with small tanks, as well as experienced aquarists, appear to be drawn to them. I find them a bit weird looking!

Aside from the Dory effect, what is it that you think make Tangs so popular? Is it the overall look of the fish, the colors, the personalities, the challenge of keeping them happy, a combination of these or something else?

What makes you love your Tang?

Tangs are the BEST cleanup crews IMO and add excellent color. They eat algae all day long.

 

[FishyFishFish]

Awesome; thanks very much for the replies. It sounds like there are many reasons to love Tangs (even though I still think they look a bit weird).

Maybe I need to get a couple for my new Pico tank?

 

[dpoltsdsu]

I like the colors, their size, their love for algae, and they remind me of diving. For whatever reason, I just really enjoy watching their swimming pattern. A happy tang in an adequately sized setup looks awesome and is relaxing to watch as they swim and pick around rocks.