Why tangs and SLW for beginners?

[Slocke]

Just out of interest:

Being a beginner I watch a lot of YouTube beginner guides. And I notice a lot of the big channels, BRS in particular (which is obviously usually a great resource), always going on about tangs and six line wrasse being great utility fish. BRS has a “5 must have fish” video that recommended a yellow tang, bristletooth, and six line . While I just rewatched the beginner guru put a six line as one of his top 10 beginner fish. But…. the more I research the more awful these fish seem for beginners. (Aggressive and in the tangs case disease carriers and needing of lots of space).

I instead opted for a foxface for algae and a melanurus for pests and so far they’re model citizens and both rated as peaceful on LA (unlike the former).

So my question is why do I hear so much about the former and so little about the latter?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I'm more interested in the fact that the Mele is listed at peaceful... Mine killed 4 fish, a bunch of decorative inverts and snails before I got it out.

What you're saying definitely tracks with six lines. I think some tangs belong there.

 

[Auquanut]

That is a great question! My best answer is.... Wait for it... I don't know! Tangs are great grazers. I've found the bristletooth variety to be the best, but they can be a bit delicate, and some can be aggressive. I keep tangs and they do well but seem to have lost interest in algae control over time (my yellow tang still does a decent job). My one spot foxface, on the other hand is on duty 24/7.

As far as the sixline wrasse goes, mine was a monster. He was kept in a 29-gallon biocube. Wouldn't tolerate any new additions. I have had a melanaurus wrasse in my 125 for going on 5 years, and he's been a model citizen while doing a wonderful job of keeping the bristleworm population in the DT to un-noticeable levels for years (don't ask about the sump). The only thing I can say about that is that he is far too big and active for a small tank.

So, my answer to your question remains: That's a great question!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just out of interest:

Being a beginner I watch a lot of YouTube beginner guides. And I notice a lot of the big channels, BRS in particular (which is obviously usually a great resource), always going on about tangs and six line wrasse being great utility fish. BRS has a “5 must have fish” video that recommended a yellow tang, bristletooth, and six line . While I just rewatched the beginner guru put a six line as one of his top 10 beginner fish. But…. the more I research the more awful these fish seem for beginners. (Aggressive and in the tangs case disease carriers and needing of lots of space).

I instead opted for a foxface for algae and a melanurus for pests and so far they’re model citizens and both rated as peaceful on LA (unlike the former).

So my question is why do I hear so much about the former and so little about the latter?

Each fish has their own temperament and personality. I have 18 tangs who fare well together and will say a 6 line wrasse is one of the best occupants ive had and you will find many with same experience and others with opposite experience

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Hard pass on a six line in my case, you'll thank us later. Some have success but most of us steer away or learn the hard way about them.

This inmate pictured developed psychosis (total territorial issues couldn't add ANYTHING) at after about 4+ good years of tank life. He was banished to solitary confinement temporarily (sump life) and when he re entered general population, he continued his reign of terror. He was then transferred to the supermax prison (taken back to LFS). I've owned some particularly a$$hole fish, this was at the top for nastiness to size sliding scale.

 

[Slocke]

I'm more interested in the fact that the Mele is listed at peaceful... Mine killed 4 fish, a bunch of decorative inverts and snails before I got it out.

What you're saying definitely tracks with six lines. I think some tangs belong there.

Yeah
I have heard some horror stories about melanurus just fewer (and of course after I bought it). Mines gotten very fat and barely bothers getting up these days. 10am - 6pm is a long day for it.

 

[Slocke]

And I have nothing against tangs and would love to get some someday. Just don’t see them as a beginner fish unless you have a massive tank from what I hear.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Yeah
I have heard some horror stories about melanurus just fewer (and of course after I bought it). Mines gotten very fat and barely bothers getting up these days. 10am - 6pm is a long day for it.

Mine carried a harlequin shrimp around the tank for 3 days and just swam around, bashing it on things ever bit.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I don't recommend tangs in a display under 100-125g.
Six lines and tangs are indeed great utility fish meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with your reef tank.
Benefits the health of both.
D

 

[Slocke]

Mine carried a harlequin shrimp around the tank for 3 days and just swam around, bashing it on things ever bit.

Yeah
It was a slight impulse buy, saw the live aquaria stats when at LFS and thought perfect.
Could be a lot worse, the LFS were also selling twin spot wrasses and those are jaw dropping. (And would murder my entire tank) but wow!!

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Yeah
It was a slight impulse buy, saw the live aquaria stats when at LFS and thought perfect.
Could be a lot worse, the LFS were also selling twin spot wrasses and those are jaw dropping. (And would murder my entire tank) but wow!!

Yeah, after I hit my Tang limit, I turned my eyes to wrasse.. There have been quite a few times when I saw an incredible species at a local store, decide. I want it knowing nothing about it, Grab the old Google machine and look it up. It's always the ones I can't have!!!