What Tang would you recommend for a first-timer?

Zionas · Apr 30, 2020

Hi everyone, I am considering adding a Tang (recently jumped on the bandwagon after ditching the BF idea) as the last fish to my tank. I’ll make sure it’s got enough algae before I can support a Tang. Which Tang do you feel is the hardiest, most disease resistant, forgiving, easy conditioned and peaceful? Thanks and I would appreciate your opinions. 5 ft tank.

2 other 8” fish: One Spot Foxface and Marine Betta.

3-4” fish:

-Flame Hawk pair

-Ocellaris Clowns pair

-Trio of PJ Cardinals

All Tang lovers, experts, and Tang police can answer. Thanks.

I have nori, Hikari Algae Wafers, Hikari Mega Marine Algae as part of my diet for my Tang and FF. Also, fresh seaweed will be fed when possible.

Other (Acanthurus, Paracanthurus, Naso etc.)

Rmckoy · Apr 30, 2020

For easiest and hardiest ...
I’d say a yellow eye Kole tang .

Dbichler · Apr 30, 2020

Tamberav · Apr 30, 2020

Kole, a healthy one is very pretty in person.

Zionas · Apr 30, 2020

Correct me if I am wrong but I’ve read mixed reviews on the hardiness and disease resistance of Kole Tangs. Bob Fenner contradicts himself on his own site. In his article specifically devoted to the Kole Eye Yellow, he says they’re a hardy and undemanding species as long as I can get a healthy one. However, in his “general” article on the Bristletooth genus, he says they’re fragile. Hobbyists including ones here also seem to have mixed reviews of the genus. I do agree the Kole looks very pretty but I want to make sure it is the safe option for my experience level.

Zebrasomas seem to get a good reputation overall when it comes to their hardiness, but I’m not sure if anything under a 6 footer is enough for one to be happy?

Out of all the Tangs, which ones are active swimmers and which ones are more limited in the space they use?

I know my One-Spot Fox Face is going to be a very active swimmer (or is it?) but my Marine Betta is a slow one.

Bmckinney04 · Apr 30, 2020

I've had several tangs and for sum reason beyond me they all die...so I gave up on the tangs tho they're my favs...

sfairtx · Apr 30, 2020

Zionas said:
Correct me if I am wrong but I’ve read mixed reviews on the hardiness and disease resistance of Kole Tangs. Bob Fenner contradicts himself on his own site. In his article specifically devoted to the Kole Eye Yellow, he says they’re a hardy and undemanding species as long as I can get a healthy one. However, in his “general” article on the Bristletooth genus, he says they’re fragile. Hobbyists including ones here also seem to have mixed reviews of the genus. I do agree the Kole looks very pretty but I want to make sure it is the safe option for my experience level.

Zebrasomas seem to get a good reputation overall when it comes to their hardiness, but I’m not sure if anything under a 6 footer is enough for one to be happy?

Out of all the Tangs, which ones are active swimmers and which ones are more limited in the space they use?

I know my One-Spot Fox Face is going to be a very active swimmer (or is it?) but my Marine Betta is a slow one.

The “getting a healthy one” rule can be applied to all fish and certainly Tangs. Of the ones you mentioned, I would agree with the Kole. As far as nothing under 6 ft for Zebrasomas, I would have to challenge that thinking. Its more about flow, room to swim, and other inhabitants. A crankin’ flow with lots of swimming room in a 5 ft MAY be better than a cramped 6 ft with acros and rocks all over. Personal option, I would make sure you either QT the Tang or pay for a company that QT the fish for you. Good luck and keep us updated with a pic or two!

Silent · Apr 30, 2020

A bristletooth tang would be your best bet. They stay smaller, are more peaceful, and are a more calm type of tang. Yellow tangs can be crazy and cause stress to other fish with their sporadic behavior. I have both and this is the case with mine. I have had yellow tangs that were calmer but this one darts across the tank as fast as it can and the other fish are like "what's going on, I better go fast and hide". lol

dank reefer · Apr 30, 2020

Flame Tang

Good utility fish, and a good looker as well.

WVNed · Apr 30, 2020

My tomini is staying smaller than my other tangs and would do well in a 5 foot tank. He is about the size of a dwarf angel and is growing very slowly.

X-37B · Apr 30, 2020

Tomini and Convict in my 120. Tomini does not like the algae blenny for some reason. Just chases him every now and then so far.
Convict swims with the 6 blue green chromis and never stops moving.
He breaks up any issues the chromis have and is the policeman of the tank lol.
I added both at the same time and they are the last fish in my 120.

Zionas · Apr 30, 2020

Which genus have you found to be hardier? The Bristletooth or Zebrasoma tangs?

Rmckoy · Apr 30, 2020

Bmckinney04 said:
I've had several tangs and for sum reason beyond me they all die...so I gave up on the tangs tho they're my favs...

I feel
The same about butterflyfish.
They are my favs but they always die

Zionas · Apr 30, 2020

My tank is a 5 footer, mushrooms and Leathers only.

The other fish will be:

x1 One-Spot Foxface (8”)-somewhat active swimmer but not as active as some tangs?

x1 Marine Betta (8”)- sedentary, lazy fish

x2 Ocellaris / Darwin Ocellaris Clowns (introduce at same time, one 2-3cm one 4-5cm)

x3 Pajama Cardinalfish (introduce 3 at the same time and get them ~1.5”)

x2 Flame Hawkfish (pair two juveniles 5cm max)

mort · Apr 30, 2020

I'd remove the two sailfin from the list as they get to big for a 5ft (think dinner plate), possibly remove the purple as they can be jerks albeit pretty ones, and the rest are about as hardy as each other.
My personal preference would be the kole as they are more easy going but you should be ok with whatever your favourite one is after taking the sailfin out.

SDK · Apr 30, 2020

Zionas said:
Which genus have you found to be hardier? The Bristletooth or Zebrasoma tangs?

I think they are both fairly straightforward to care for once you get a healthy one. The Kole will be a more specialized scraper, and in my experience needs to fed a bit more often. They are also (in my limited experience) a bit less likely to go after nori right away. I think this is what leads some people to lose them vs Zebrasoma.

Having some sort of feeding plan to start will be a good idea. You hopefully will have a leg up if other fish in your tank are eating nori from a clip. It may help a Kole take to it more quickly. I would also recommend having a pellet other than Hikari on hand in case it prefers something else. I have had really good luck with the NLS AlgaeMax pellets. Oddly enough I have also done well getting them eating with the Cobalt veggie flakes..

I have an order of NYOS True Algae on the way to try on my Kole. I have heard that this is another great food, but won't be able to confirm until I try it myself...

Rmckoy · Apr 30, 2020

Zionas said:
My tank is a 5 footer, mushrooms and Leathers only.

The other fish will be:

x1 One-Spot Foxface (8”)-somewhat active swimmer but not as active as some tangs?

x1 Marine Betta (8”)- sedentary, lazy fish

x2 Ocellaris / Darwin Ocellaris Clowns (introduce at same time, one 2-3cm one 4-5cm)

Correct me if I’m wrong .
But a marine betta gets pretty big .
They might be slow and lazy , but they will eat anything they can fit in their mouth ( including clownfish , cardinals etc ) ?

x3 Pajama Cardinalfish (introduce 3 at the same time and get them ~1.5”)

x2 Flame Hawkfish (pair two juveniles 5cm max)

Zionas · Apr 30, 2020

Haven’t heard of Marine Bettas Eating any small fish apart from a couple of Cleaner Wrasses or very small gobies here and there. From talking to everyone who’s kept them, they mind their own business and are too shy to bother the vast majority of other fish.

I’d appreciate more votes on which Tang you feel is the best for a first-time hobbyist but it’s looking like a tie between the Kole Eye Yellow and the Yellow.