Due to recent events I now have a 100 gallon tank (60x18x20). Before this my largest tank has been a 55, so I have never had or considered having a tang. Now that I have adequate space I would like to add one, but I am relatively clueless when it comes to the behavior, needs, temperament, etc. of all of the various species. I would like to add one or two if possible, and I am looking for suggestions. I would like something other than the common Hepatus and Yellow tangs. So far I am considering something like a kole, tomini, or chevron. I really like the achilles but every online vendor lists this as a difficult species; why is that? I have heard the rule about not having more than one tang of the same genus. Is this true? Also, the kole, tomini, and chevron are similar in shape to the zebrasomas, so would they fight? Are there any acanthurus species that wouldn't get too large for this tank that you would recommend? How big do purple tangs get? Any tips or thoughts are appreciated. TIA
Tang questions
- Thread starter Meloco14
- Start date
You should avoid multiple tangs of the same species to reduce aggression, but the fact is all tangs of any genus will likely fight to some degree ... at least in the beninning. I've kept Ctenochus tangs with Zerbrasoma without problems.
Terry Siegel has a very nice, long-lived Achilles, but it is true that they don't usually fare well in captivity. They're harder to feed and suspectible to diseases. You can try most any small specimen Acanthurus for your size tank IMO (I'm sure others will disagree
). Most will get to 18+ inches, but it usually takes a while for them to grow beyond 12".
Purple tangs don't get more then a foot, but I'll be impressed if you can find one bigger then 10". Most are about 6" or less.
Terry Siegel has a very nice, long-lived Achilles, but it is true that they don't usually fare well in captivity. They're harder to feed and suspectible to diseases. You can try most any small specimen Acanthurus for your size tank IMO (I'm sure others will disagree
). Most will get to 18+ inches, but it usually takes a while for them to grow beyond 12". Purple tangs don't get more then a foot, but I'll be impressed if you can find one bigger then 10". Most are about 6" or less.
Thanks Len. I have been looking at more online vendors and one of them has listed that achilles tangs are very difficult and are better left in the wild. If the vendor is stating this there must be very good reason. I think I will have to pass on that one. So far I am considering maybe an A. japonicus or A. nigricans along with a C. tomini or C. hawaii. Would this be too much? Is there a difference between the japonicus and nigricans as far as temperament or difficulty? Does anyone know anything about the mimic eibli tang? Does it retain its pattern as it becomes an adult? Thanks
cvp7900":3jgh79j0 said:
I do like the scopas and will consider it, but since I am limited to how many tangs I can have I would rather have a couple of tangs with a little more flash and color. I like naso tangs a lot, but wouldn't they get a bit big for this tank? I also do like the coeruleus, but I am trying to keep this tank indo-pacific based. For this reason I am probably going to avoid the purple tang also. I don't know how successful I will end up being though, there are too many pretty things from all over the world...
The lineatus is gorgeous. If I ever have a large tank I would love to have one. The unicorns are also very impressive. I have seen some diving that had to have been a foot and a half to two feet long!
I have had a purle, sailfin, and hippo tangs in my 150 for over 5 years. ( I would still have them but hurricane Katrina took them) For a 100 gal you could get away with almost any tang by itself. Do some research to figure out what size, tempermaent and aggression each one has :wink:
For a 100 g tank, I recommend only one smaller tang. I love A. leucosternon or A. japonicus. The Powder blue tang is more showy, but I like the A. japonicus better.
If you stick with one tang, then you need not worry about stress, and battle scars.
If you stick with one tang, then you need not worry about stress, and battle scars.
A. leucosternon is perfect for your tank. It is one of the more aggressive tang. Using a Yellow tang as a scale, it is quite a bit more aggressive.Meloco14":3j1rsmgh said:
I agree. IMO, all the Naso are going to be too big for your tank.
Regarding your question on the A. japonicus. IMO, it is a beauty, with supple beauty and grace. It is easier to keep than the A. leucosternon and is considerble less aggressive, about the same as the yellow tang.
Loren,
It's hard to find gold-rim tangs (A. nigricans) that will do well in captivity. The powder brown (A. japonicus) will would fair better, but I hear even those are more sensitive than the powder blue (A. leucosternon). I think more people are starting to have more success with these species because they are being housed in large, well oxygenated reef tanks with incredible water-flow.
I'd love to have a clown tang (A. lineatus), and if you were to just go with one, that would be the guy to add last. Normally, specimens are brought in from the Indo, but you'll be much better off trying to obtain one from Australia.
If I were to start all over with my fish selection, I would have gotten 3 baby chevrons (C. hawaiiensis) for my 110g.
HTH
It's hard to find gold-rim tangs (A. nigricans) that will do well in captivity. The powder brown (A. japonicus) will would fair better, but I hear even those are more sensitive than the powder blue (A. leucosternon). I think more people are starting to have more success with these species because they are being housed in large, well oxygenated reef tanks with incredible water-flow.
I'd love to have a clown tang (A. lineatus), and if you were to just go with one, that would be the guy to add last. Normally, specimens are brought in from the Indo, but you'll be much better off trying to obtain one from Australia.
If I were to start all over with my fish selection, I would have gotten 3 baby chevrons (C. hawaiiensis) for my 110g.
HTH
Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Now that I have been thinking about it more I will probably only go with one tang. I forgot to mention that this tank is sumpless, so without the extra water volume I don't think I want to plan for two tangs. I will probably plan for one, and then I can always decide to add another in the future if I think it is safe. So for now I will try to decide on one of the more peaceful tangs. Currently my favorites are either an A. japonicus, C. tomini, or C. hawaii. Would this tank be okay for a sailfin if it were the only tang in the tank? Seems to me like a sailfin would be too large, but I would love to have one if I could.
Unarce":w42gcb8g said:
Thanks Karl, in your opinion and experience, are the Ctenochaetus easier to maintain than the A. japonicus? Seeing as this will be my first tang, I don't want to go with one that won't have a good chance of surviving under my care.
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