Whats this obsession with Tangs

[Saveafish]

Perfect addition to the CUC on bigger tanks.

 

[TheGreatWave]

I hate it when the pedestrian hive mind stifles new discussion making it all about themselves. Too bad it was a good question and I for one did not take offense to your tone, I understand the need to be somewhat curt at times to avoid inconsequential bickering.

There is an obsession, based on previous observations and even this thread. Considering all the Tang morality lessons, this conversation should have continued because it is one of the few threads I have ever seen that addresses the need for the "tang police" and all the acquired ire that comes with owning one.

My experience, as suggested in the other post, is that tangs have an exotic body shape and are very colorful compared to the freshwater fish I grew up with. They are moderately large as well which is why they are stand out more then the 4" wrasse behind the rock work. They are the epitome of a "reef" fish. When I made the mistake of buying a tang for 15 gallon "temporary" tank I didn't know they ate algae or I would have bought three! Now that years have gone by I still don't even know if I want one, they often don't just look active, they look frantic in their swimming habits. Constantly taking bullying air-swipes at fish around them. It's not enjoyable to watch, it's rather anxious, disconcerting and depressing.

This isn't the case all the time, about 25% or so of tanks you see seem to be big enough and stocked reasonably enough that the few tangs that are in there are politely grazing on algae, leaving other fish alone. I would still consider one if a position became available. I'm not obsessed, just I'm not a snail or crab guy and I see the potential utility of owning one. I clearly was obsessed at one point though.

 

[Potatohead]

OP keeps bringing up downsides which is fine, but the upsides far outweigh the downsides. On the “pollution factor” he brought up, that’s actually sometimes a good thing depending on the tank and the corals you keep, and if it feeds more algae it’s just more food for the fish too.

 

[ZsWithTheFishes]

So why are we obsessed with them? Why do so many new reefkeepers want one. Whats the attraction, there are so many nice fish what is it about tangs. I just don't get it.

Understanding that you have probably left by now, I'll try my hand at answering. For background and as a justification for denying my tang obsession, I have a lot of fish tanks: 15 of them all with varying ecotopes in freshwater, brackish, fowlr, reefs. It seems like for every forum I'm on there is 'that fish' that everyone talks about. In general freshwater it's angelfish or oscars. There aren't many brackish keepers but it's usually monos or gsps there. Lake Malawi cichlids seem to be the only cichlids ( a personal pet peeve... most people don't realize that discus angelfish Oscars etc are also "cichlids"). It's the same d.amn questions too...

"How many angels in a 20 gallon?"
... Two after you upgrade to a 55.

"Oscar has white spot on head."
... get it out of the 40b and change its water.

"Tank mates for green spotted puffer."
... We call those food. The only tank mate you need is "salt." No... not table salt.

"Lone mbuna killed gourami! Lone mbuna killed angel! Lone mbuna killed school of ____ and then killed itself!"
Sounds about right.

In general though, it's always the biggest, most interesting, most colorful, cheapest, most readily available fish. Add to this the fact that most marine centerpieces in this category are notorious killers (lionfish, triggerfish, snowflake eels, etc) and - a unique factor to reefing - that most people here are first and foremost concerned about corals - (most angels are out) and that leaves you with tangs.

Personally I would say that I am not "obsessed" with tangs. I don't have any in my 75 reef because I'm not personally comfortable with putting almost any tang in a 75g or below. But when I went to stock my larger tank (a thread none of you tang obsessers answered, you sorry SOBs ), the fish I was most concerned about stocking around, and thus at the forefront was the pickiest, most problematic, biggest shiniest cheapest centerpieces: the tangs. My personal favorite fish are the firefish, but imagine, if you will, a forum dominated by "how many FIREFISH in a 220??" "Tankmates for FIREFISH?" "Wife wants FIREFISH, is it possible??" or a universe where out of ALL of my fish tanks with all of their carefully crafted ecotopes every single house guest doesn't immediately gravitate to Dory or my basic yellow tang, Sun Ce... right before asking me why I don't clean my black water tank. It just wouldn't feel right.

"They're good fish, brandt." And unlike all the others I mentioned, they are useful! They eat algae and, unlike other water dwelling algae eaters, do not always reside in the should-eventually-be-rehomed-to-heated-pond category with the common plecostomus.

Hope that helps.

 

[MnFish1]

OK I probably going to alienate half the members of R2R now. But why are we, as a group, so obsessed with this group of fish. I have just done a straw poll of this forum's first page (OK not scientific) and 8 out of the 20 posts are about tangs.

What is it about these fish, yes some are pretty, but so are angels, anthias and just about any marine fish you can name. Most of them grow too big for the average tank, seem to be disease prone and can get aggressive with each other and your other fish. When they are settled you have to be careful what you add because they don't like new additions in the tank.

I see so many posts on here and other sites asking 'how many tangs', 'Can I put *inset tang name here* in my *inset tank size here*', 'I'm thinking of getting a baby X, how long before I need to move it on' I could go on and on. You don't see these posts about any other fish in the same quantities.

Then a bit down the line 'My tang has come out in white spots' or 'I put some fish in the tank and my tang has spots' 'I looked at the tang a bit harshly and it has white spots'

Many of them, end up as 6"-10" monsters with a character to match, even that cute little Chevron grows into a plain 8" slab. Don't get me started about Regals offered for sale as youngsters.

Then there's the aggression, I have a PB that the family named Psycho, I couldn't add anything to my tank, it hunted down and killed 10 Chromis!! Evil doesn't cover it. Powder browns, Achilles can turn into monsters. Sohal and Clown Tangs are just monsters.

So why are we obsessed with them? Why do so many new reefkeepers want one. Whats the attraction, there are so many nice fish what is it about tangs. I just don't get it.

The shape - the colors are more defined than angels (due to the different scales), I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with them.

Though they can bully - I've never seen a tang that had to be removed from a tank - usually after a while everyone gets along.

IME (and there are articles that also suggest this) - the need for a larger tank as compared to other fish if similar size is overblown, (tangs travel each day (most varieties) about the same, if not less (a smaller home range) than triggers for example.

Also though they can grow to be larger - the growth spurt when they are young is quick followed by very very slow growth thereafter (up to 40 years for yellow tangs to reach their '10 inches').

Lastly - There are references out there that suggest that tangs are not a lot more susceptible to disease than other fish. In the recent Vietnam study where they looked at that amount of CI on certain fish, I believe zebeasoma had among the lowest incidence of several kinds of fish.

 

[MnFish1]

Few questions about your post.

Not sure how i prove your point? You asked why we like tangs and I simply showed I like mine.

What is the reason you couldn’t maintain a tank parameter wise. If you cannot maintain a tank with a tang how are you maintaining a tank with any fish? Tang poop different than angels?

You mentioned aggression, and new tank mates. I have added numerous tank mates since having him. He has not been aggressive at all. If anything he minds his own business, as does my yellow and purple . Maybe we should develop personality test for fish.

You mentioned disease. When there is a fish resistant to all disease I will buy it. In the meantime knowing how to handle diseases in any fish is good to know. All 3 of my tangs got hit with ich last month. I did absolutely nothing other than my usual routine. They are all fine.

What exactly am I ignoring, and what make you an expert on what I am ignoring? I would suggest before you try and use someone else post to prove your point you know more about the post than a simple pic you see.

Fact. The pic is my Vlamingi. His name is Piggy. He is over 10 years old. He lives with my yellow and purple who are also over 8. My firefish is also about 9. Piggy loves frozen clams and black worms. All 3 tangs we there before I add 2 anthia, 5 chromis (people say they can survive together) , wrasse, and filefish I just dumped in last month.

Pics take just now, no one fighting, no disease, no bullying. They are more relaxed then I am reading an offensive post, which I will no longer follow.

(Pic not so good, to lazy to get off the couch

Nice tank

 

[MnFish1]

No I did not ask why people like tangs, my post was 'Whats this obsession with tangs' I then pointed out in my first post that 8 out of 20 threads (almost half) at the time I looked in 'Fish Discussions' were tang related, no other fish group had anything near that amount. I then went on to suggest they may be aggressive, grow large and anecdotally (threads on here and other sites) suffer more from 'white spot' than other fish groups, but members are prepared to ignore those 'issues'? to maintain them.

You posted up the picture of your tang on this thread- I then used your picture (one you posted voluntarily) to prove my point that although I assume, you knew this fish has the potential to get large you still gave it a home. I didn't make any comments about disease, aggression or the ethics of keeping it (although I apologise if you got that impression) of your fish. My point, which is to 'prove' obsession, is that this fish does get large yet you were prepared to ignore that because you like the fish. I am sure your fish is healthy and you maintain it's environment as pristine as possible.

Is that because tangs get sick more - or is it because more people buy tangs than other types of fish? IDK (ie. why 8/20 threads in the disease forum are tangs). I think I responded to the items you listed in your OP

 

[BornHandy]

It's all about what we like. I am way closer to being "obsessed" with the smaller animals and corals, but a tang is in my future.

For me, I like a display that you really have to look at to see the diversity, so I love the tiny fish and inverts more than the big and showy.

Having said that, tangs aren't going to eat my corals, wont bulldoze my rock, wont hide all the time and I've had success with them in the past.

Tangs aren't without their problems, but what fish isn't? Tangs check a lot of boxes that anthias and Angel's dont.

At the risk of alerting the tang police, my tank is a 75 gallon, and will be home to a tang in the future. If Emperator Angel's were reef safe, I would have gone much bigger and one of those would be in the plans.

As a general rule, tangs are hardy, do well in reef tanks, and are happy to stay out in the open.

I thing the reasons for the popularity are pretty well known among seasoned reefers, but still a good question.

This thread ran off the rails a bit because you seemed to invalidate the reasons people love their tangs and may have stepped on a few toes.

People will defend their ideas, especially when tangs in the reef tank are a long standing practice and have 10 or 12 years of success with a single fish not eating corals or destroying a tank. You just can't say that about anthias or angels.

Keep reading, and keep an open mind.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I think what’s maybe caused this thread to go sideways was the incorrect name. It should have been named, “I hate tangs and wish everyone else did too.” But based on the actual name, I’d read that as, “Tell us why you like tangs.”

I am not tang obsessed, but I will always have one. To me, tangs add balance in making a beautiful reef tank. They generally get along with most other fish, they eat algae which makes them useful, and they are some of the largest most colorful reef-safe fish. I agree that they seem to poop more than other fish. I find that to be a benefit in my Acro tank as my corals love it.

Everyone has fish they like and I find most all saltwater fish beautiful, tangs included.

 

[User1]

I feel that all of the above posts support my assertion that we are obsessed with tangs, the posters above are happy to overlook their failing. A couple of posters have jumped in with the 'angels will eat your corals', yet no one has refuted my claim that many are or become aggressive, how many posts on R2R have we seen recommending a mirror, how many post have you seen asking how to negate that aggression, how many posts about yellow tangs turning on one individual after they have been living together for ages.

Tangs generally get big and being herbivorous have inefficient digestive systems and therefore as they get large produce a copious amount of waste for their size, which our system has to deal with.

Again how many posts on here ask about 'spots' on their tang, how many post about them being 'ick magnets'. All the posters above are happy to ignore that to own one.

I am not a tang hater, I have owned a number over the years but I believe we are obsessed with them as a group and are prepared to ignore their shortcomings to own one. 8 out of 20 posters on the front page can't be wrong.

Not sure what you are reading and to me it sounds like you have a predetermined answer going into this. I'd wager clownfish are more common than tangs as is Xenia to other corals. Is that also an obsession?

The onus is on the hobbyist to setup a tank and system to support everything they want to keep. When that is done properly then there is no such thing as ick or introducing animals that are counter productive to your system.

 

[WMR]

I think people are attracted to tangs because of color, size, & they’re very active. Most people want a large, colorful centerpiece for their fish/ reef tank. Tangs are not a threat to corals or inverts, they eat algae, & also feed the coral/ inverts with waste. I’m a fish person, I keep tangs, angels, butterflies, etc, etc. Vlamingi & hippo tangs are my favorites

 

[Tamberav]

Can't help ya there.... I really like unusual small fish. I found a pair of yellowstripe clingfish so thats in the conditioning tank right now, very cool little guys.

I think if angelfish were 100% reefsafe we would see a lot of those guys, they come in the most amazing colors and patterns.

 

[Jesterrace]

OK I probably going to alienate half the members of R2R now. But why are we, as a group, so obsessed with this group of fish. I have just done a straw poll of this forum's first page (OK not scientific) and 8 out of the 20 posts are about tangs.

What is it about these fish, yes some are pretty, but so are angels, anthias and just about any marine fish you can name. Most of them grow too big for the average tank, seem to be disease prone and can get aggressive with each other and your other fish. When they are settled you have to be careful what you add because they don't like new additions in the tank.

I see so many posts on here and other sites asking 'how many tangs', 'Can I put *inset tang name here* in my *inset tank size here*', 'I'm thinking of getting a baby X, how long before I need to move it on' I could go on and on. You don't see these posts about any other fish in the same quantities.

Then a bit down the line 'My tang has come out in white spots' or 'I put some fish in the tank and my tang has spots' 'I looked at the tang a bit harshly and it has white spots'

Many of them, end up as 6"-10" monsters with a character to match, even that cute little Chevron grows into a plain 8" slab. Don't get me started about Regals offered for sale as youngsters.

Then there's the aggression, I have a PB that the family named Psycho, I couldn't add anything to my tank, it hunted down and killed 10 Chromis!! Evil doesn't cover it. Powder browns, Achilles can turn into monsters. Sohal and Clown Tangs are just monsters.

So why are we obsessed with them? Why do so many new reefkeepers want one. Whats the attraction, there are so many nice fish what is it about tangs. I just don't get it.

I don't think I've ever been obsessed with tangs but honestly I think it's their high profile. It's hard to find someone who doesn't recognize a pacific blue tang in some way, shape or form.


Personally though I find them to be behind clowns as the "dime a dozen" fish of the hobby. I did try a Yellow Tang out and he turned out to be a first class butthead. He is gone and although I periodically toy with the idea of a small Bristletooth Tang, I am perfectly happy not having one in my tank. Wrasses, Foxfaces, etc all have more personality (no I don't consider being a jerk personality)

 

[mort]

Sticking up for this side of the pond a bit, I do get what Haydn is saying. How many people have a tank that could comfortably fit a tang and don't actually have a tang. Personal obsession with tangs might not exist much but it's definitely a word that I'd describe the industry as a whole having. Realistically for quite a lot of us tangs aren't the best fish we could keep but they are still crammed into less than ideal tanks because we want a show fish. You also see people with bigger tanks seeing just how many they can fit in even though they would arguably see better behaviour by just having one as a try centrepiece.

When I ran a shop, pretty much everyone wanted a tang as they are the most publicised showy fish but I think this is because the industry doesn't have the imagination to try other species.

 

[User1]

Sticking up for this side of the pond a bit, I do get what Haydn is saying. How many people have a tank that could comfortably fit a tang and don't actually have a tang. Personal obsession with tangs might not exist much but it's definitely a word that I'd describe the industry as a whole having. Realistically for quite a lot of us tangs aren't the best fish we could keep but they are still crammed into less than ideal tanks because we want a show fish. You also see people with bigger tanks seeing just how many they can fit in even though they would arguably see better behaviour by just having one as a try centrepiece.

When I ran a shop, pretty much everyone wanted a tang as they are the most publicised showy fish but I think this is because the industry doesn't have the imagination to try other species.

I wouldn't say or think it is a sticking up issue at all. I think it comes down to what did the OP hope to achieve by asking the question. As I mentioned in an earlier post it is up to the hobbyist to provide the proper environment for sustain the corals and fish they purchase. When I read it and some follow up questions by the OP I'm reading that they have a predisposed answer or opinion and not really reading the replied.

There may be some data out there to answer some of your questions in more detail but to what level of accuracy I know not. Supply chain is my best guess. Source of capture, then shipping, then reseller, then stores, etc. Plot rank, order, sort list, your question is answered. To me this can be said of clownfish being the obsession along with the specific tang of Paracanthurus hepatus due to Finding Nemo. Even before that movie I would still say clownfish and then the yellow tank.

Xenia is probably the most widely sold coral...again, another obsession or just easy to care for beginners? I know not.

 

[BornHandy]

Supply chain is my best guess. Source of capture, then shipping, then reseller, then stores, etc.

This is a huge part of it. I've worked for two different wholesalers (when I was a bit more "obsessed"), and the one thing that surprised me was how different the orders that arrived looked from the orders that were placed. The wholesaler order is more of a wishlist than anything because that shipping container has to be full, or the landed cost per fish is too high. - The container costs the same to ship regardless of it being half full, or packed to the top. Wholesalers can't sell fish at a profit unless the shipping cost is kept at a reasonable rate, so rather than sending empty space, wholesalers ask that the container be filled with animals that ship well, and sell fast.

They will specifically ask that it NOT be filled with Moorish idols, butterfly species, tile fish or anthias. They will ask for tangs, damsels, clowns, dwarf angels and other hardy shippers. Tangs are big, fill a lot of space, and are more common than most other species, so there you have it - the supply chain is chocked full of tangs, and for good reason.

Lastly, isn't it possible that tangs are so popular because they're a good fit? This thread reads a little like a propaganda piece telling me why tangs are terrible fish, but I just don't see it that way - If that makes me obsessed, then I'll plead guilty to that.

 

[BadFish619]

I personally have never understood tangs. They seem frail and skittish to me. I'll always go the angel route. Just hardier fish and come in just as many colors

 

[Jesterrace]

I personally have never understood tangs. They seem frail and skittish to me. I'll always go the angel route. Just hardier fish and come in just as many colors

Actually more colors IMHO especially if you factor in Dwarf and Pygmy Angels.

 

[seamonster]

I love them because tangs are simply gorgeous, active fish with lots of personality. Plus they eat algae and they are intelligent, curious and hardy ( once they are settled). The best part though is the challenge they present to keep them thriving and its a small success for me as a hobbyist to be able to keep such a lovely fish alive. I love my PBT!

 

[seamonster]

 

[1stNoel]

Why do I like tangs? Let me count the ways...

Let's start with the positives:
1. I have 7 yellow tangs in my 300 gallon tank. That vibrant yellow pop of color is truly beautiful.
2. They are very active. I don't want fish that are going to hide. Tangs are very active and constantly are grazing on the rocks. Speaking of grazing...
3. They help control algae.
4. They provide poop, which helps feed the corals. Speaking of corals...
5. Tangs are reef safe.
6. Tangs are REEF SAFE.
7. Because I can't have angels in my tank (they are not reef safe; though I've tried).
8. Some tangs do have personalities. Zebrasomas not so much, but my Naso actually follows me around the tank and lets me pet it.
9. Large variety of colors and species to choose from (Purple Tang, Kole Tang, Powder Blue, Blue Hippo).
10. I have a 300-gallon SPS dominant, bare bottom tank. What else am I supposed to stock it with? Damsels???

Now the perceived negatives:
1. They are aggressive. This is true. Add a baby zebrasoma to an established tank of zebrasomas, and it will get ugly. But introduce them all at once, and they establish a pecking order. On occasion, you may get a mean one that you'll have to re-home (like my Sohal).
2. They are ich magnets. They can be, but only if 1) you don't quarantine to keep ich out of your tank, 2) you don't feed enough, which causes aggression over limited resources, or 3) you introduce a terror that stresses out the inhabitants. This being said, I've had little issues with ich in 5+ years of reefing.
3. They're expensive. Not really. I bought my Yellows for $30 each, a Sohal for $60, Powder Blue for $75, and I did splurge on the Purple. But most of these prices are in line with other fish in the hobby. I'm not buying a Gem Tang or Koi Tang, so I'm not considering them (and every species has their expensive fish).
4. They get really big. Yes, they do. Some more than others. As long as your tank can support it (bioload, room for the fish to swim, ability to keep it well fed, etc.), that won't be an issue.
5. They are too common. Every tank type has its staple of fish citizens. Some because they serve a purpose (like the Copperband Butterfly and the Six-Line Wrasse); and some because they're beautiful (Powder Blue Tang). Common is what keeps them cheap enough for me to buy. And if they're beautiful, I don't care that they're common.

Before you start bashing my post, we're all entitled to our opinion and preferences. Just because I like Tangs, it doesn't mean you have to. There are plenty of popular fish that I wouldn't put in my tank. From a coral perspective, I've never understood the fascination with bounce mushrooms; but they are super popular. To each their own.