I have a 150 gallon aquarium with 150 lbs LR. Can I safely keep 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Hippo Blue Tang, and a Purple Tang together. The Yellow Tang has been in there for about a month and is currently the only fish in there. Any problems with adding the Hippo and Purple tangs now? How about if I want to add a Convict Tang?
Tang compatibility
- Thread starter bradsark
- Start date
The Purple and the Yellow are likely to fight due to similar shape. I had a Yellow and Powder Blue in my 125 and the Yellow (which was in first) harassed the PB a fair amount.
The Hippo may be ok as long as its smaller or a lot larger. If its similar in size, there may be issues.
Not sure about the Convict.
2 Tangs in a 150 is doable but since you have the Yellow in there already, it may be problematic adding another tang unless you remove the Yellow, move the rock around and add the yellow back along with the new tang. This may mess with the established territory that the yellow had.
The Hippo may be ok as long as its smaller or a lot larger. If its similar in size, there may be issues.
Not sure about the Convict.
2 Tangs in a 150 is doable but since you have the Yellow in there already, it may be problematic adding another tang unless you remove the Yellow, move the rock around and add the yellow back along with the new tang. This may mess with the established territory that the yellow had.
I've never had problems with hippos and yellows in the same tank. But I think you may be asking for trouble with a purple and yellow.
Also, my hippo would succumb to ich every time I did a water change then he would clear up. They are a very easily stressed fish IMO.
Also, my hippo would succumb to ich every time I did a water change then he would clear up. They are a very easily stressed fish IMO.
hmmm...
i've seen yellows and purples get along well together-in relatively small tanks-after some initial bickering-the purples tend to be 'the boss'-ime
but the risk of similiarly shaped tangs fighting is higher than w/dissimiliarly shaped ones, and your mileage may vary :wink:
i would suggest you add the hippo before the others, though-they seem to be more 'wimpy' overall-and try to strike a deal w/your lfs that if there is a behavior problem, and you can get the tang out while it's still healthy and in good condition, you can return it for credit equal to, or just abit less than, the purchase price(less than is fairer to them from your standpoint, due to the fact that a fight and subsequent transfer adds more stress to the fish, and also puts the lfs at some risk-when taking it back
good luck either way!
i've seen yellows and purples get along well together-in relatively small tanks-after some initial bickering-the purples tend to be 'the boss'-ime
but the risk of similiarly shaped tangs fighting is higher than w/dissimiliarly shaped ones, and your mileage may vary :wink:
i would suggest you add the hippo before the others, though-they seem to be more 'wimpy' overall-and try to strike a deal w/your lfs that if there is a behavior problem, and you can get the tang out while it's still healthy and in good condition, you can return it for credit equal to, or just abit less than, the purchase price(less than is fairer to them from your standpoint, due to the fact that a fight and subsequent transfer adds more stress to the fish, and also puts the lfs at some risk-when taking it back
good luck either way!
I would recommend as follows.
1. Temporarily remove the yellow for one week to a QT or a friend.
2. Buy an aqua-raised blue tang and put her in the tank. She needs a week or so to get used to your tank.
3. Return the yellow to the tank.
Alternatively you could substitute the convict for the blue but 2 tangs for your tank is enough.
I would not recommend the purple because the stress risk is always there.
Do not buy your tangs online as you cannot see what you are buying.
Choose a plump, alert, clear-eyed fish that is vigourously eating. If not pass on the fish there will always be another.
Do the garlic extract regimen as an ich preventative.
Good Luck with your tangs.
1. Temporarily remove the yellow for one week to a QT or a friend.
2. Buy an aqua-raised blue tang and put her in the tank. She needs a week or so to get used to your tank.
3. Return the yellow to the tank.
Alternatively you could substitute the convict for the blue but 2 tangs for your tank is enough.
I would not recommend the purple because the stress risk is always there.
Do not buy your tangs online as you cannot see what you are buying.
Choose a plump, alert, clear-eyed fish that is vigourously eating. If not pass on the fish there will always be another.
Do the garlic extract regimen as an ich preventative.
Good Luck with your tangs.
IME, Hipo tang with purple or yellow tangs are OK. It needs to be both bigger and add before the yellow or purple tang. You can add a purple but the purple need to be both smaller and added later than the yellow tang. I would recommend only two tangs max for your 150 g tank.
Minh Nguyen
Minh Nguyen
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