Yellow Eyed Tang

Maine Reefer · Jan 13, 2018

Can I get a Yellow Eyed Tang in a new aquarium with not a lot of algae on the rocks? Also, how many members of a clean up crew should I get, if I only have a few fish?

Crabs McJones · Jan 13, 2018

Maine Reefer said:
Can I get a Yellow Eyed Tang in a new aquarium with not a lot of algae on the rocks? Also, how many members of a clean up crew should I get, if I only have a few fish?

How big is the tank and what other inhabitants are in the tank. If the aquarium doesn't have alot of algae you'll want to get algae strips and a veggie clip for the tang to graze on.

bpinkstaff · Jan 13, 2018

Thy are amazing animals you can supplement with sea weed you can buy at any lfs but need a decent size tank. Mine also has a blue and yellow and they all get along.

Big G · Jan 13, 2018

You can start out by trying to feed a tang the same seaweed you can buy at the supermarket that humans eat. Way cheaper. If the tang doesn't seem to like the supermarket human seaweed, switch to the nori (seaweed) for fish. There's green, red and purple. Try one of those seaweed feeding clips that attach to the side of the tank. If it doesn't notice the seaweed try this. Wrap a rock with the nori using a rubber band and place on the bottom of the tank. Hope this helps. Cheers!

Maine Reefer · Jan 13, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
How big is the tank and what other inhabitants are in the tank. If the aquarium doesn't have alot of algae you'll want to get algae strips and a veggie clip for the tang to graze on.

It's a 65 gallon, but my LFS said that I could trade it in every few years for a smaller/younger one. So, it is fine to not have enough algae as long as there is some seaweed to graze on?

Crabs McJones · Jan 13, 2018

Maine Reefer said:
It's a 65 gallon, but my LFS said that I could trade it in every few years for a smaller/younger one. So, it is fine to not have enough algae as long as there is some seaweed to graze on?

A 65 should be ok for a bit. And yes as long as you supplement the algae for it to graze on it should be good. A guy that I know kept one in a 40 breeder for quite some time while I don't recommend it he was the only fish in the system and he seemed to be happy

Big G · Jan 13, 2018

Maine Reefer said:
It's a 65 gallon, but my LFS said that I could trade it in every few years for a smaller/younger one. So, it is fine to not have enough algae as long as there is some seaweed to graze on?

Have you considered another "yellow" fish like the One Spot Foxface? The suggested tank size is closer to the 65 you have right now. Hope this helps.

Maine Reefer · Jan 13, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
A 65 should be ok for a bit. And yes as long as you supplement the algae for it to graze on it should be good. A guy that I know kept one in a 40 breeder for quite some time while I don't recommend it he was the only fish in the system and he seemed to be happy

Do you think a beginner in the saltwater hobby can care for this type of Tang?

Crabs McJones · Jan 13, 2018

Maine Reefer said:
Do you think a beginner in the saltwater hobby can care for this type of Tang?

I do but if you have the capability I would highly recommend quarantining it for up to four to six weeks in a separate tank because tangs are extremely susceptible to ich and you wouldn't want it bringing that to your other fish.

Maine Reefer · Jan 13, 2018

crabs_mcjones said:
I do but if you have the capability I would highly recommend quarantining it for up to four to six weeks in a separate tank because tangs are extremely susceptible to ich and you wouldn't want it bringing that to your other fish.

Yeah I have a complete quarantine setup. Thanks for the advice! Should I quarantine a CUC too?