Convict Surgeonfish

[John Kh]

Is a Convict Surgeonfish a good choice for a reef aquarium?! Please help. I just got one recently and I read it can't be introduced with other tangs since they will not be compatible!! And I am planning to get a Yellow Tang, Purple one Maybe) and a Couple Blue Tang for the new tank I am setting.

J,

 

[Anonymous]

How large is the tank?

I don't have any experience with the Convicts, but the rule of thumb is to add the most aggressive fish last, not first.

 

[John Kh]

It is an agressive fish? I read other fish will harass it!!! And it is kind of peaceful!! No?

J,

 

[Anonymous]

John,

I've not kept one either, but from what I've read it's one of the more peaceable surgeonfish. Which probably means that other Tangs might pick on it, but, given the nature of the surgeonfish in general, it will still likely try to assert itself over other fish if it is the biggest fish in the tank.

Tom

 

[John Kh]

Most probably, anyway, is that I will get the fish befor installing and running the new tank. Then installing them all together at the same time. Maybe like that they wont pick at each other and spend their time discovering and looking for a spot each Hope it works anyway. I so want a Yellow tang, purple one and a blue one

J,

 

[Anonymous]

How big will the tank be? That's a lot of Tang.

 

[John Kh]

It will be almost 350G tank total size.

Main tank:
220Cm X 90Cm X 60Cm

Samp:
50Cm X 60Cm X 50 Cm (Approximate)

Refugium:
50Cm X 60Cm X 50 Cm (Approximate)

I assume it is like 350, a bit more or less depending on the volume of Life Rocks and accessories inserted.

J,

 

[Anonymous]

Well, that's a lot of tank for a lot of tang!

 

[John Kh]

I might not get all. But is it really too many fish for a 350G tank!!! Shouldn't be able to hold at least 15 fish/ medium size on average!!

J,

 

[Anonymous]

Tank itself at 350gals, add in a sump of, say, 75 gallons, make SURE they've got enough free swimming space and you should be alright. I agree with your plan of getting the fish first, then 'installing' them in the tank at the same time. Make sure their sizes are disparate enough, too.

Also, I don't know if anyone has warned you, but when tangs take a strong disliking to one another it can get pretty brutal. They can literally cut each other up to pieces (though I do hear tang is good eating ).

Start with all juveniles and you'll be doing even better. Once you get them established be careful about adding certain types of butterflies, as they're generally very peaceful and some look similar enough to some tangs that they'll receive very unwanted attention. Are you sticking with all tangs?

 

[John Kh]

I am certainely not sticking to tangs only. They are just some kinds I might get. For sure I want a Yellow one and a Blue one. As for the Sailfin and the Purple, they are just an option in case I couldn't find the Yellow Tang. I do not think I am going for more fish since I have many. Maybe just one or 2 more addition which I doubt it since I have enough already. I have no intention to get any Butterfly at all since they might pick at Corals. And I do not want any kind of problems in the new tank. I already have the Convict Surgeon and a collection at home consisting of:

2 Bangii
2 Clark's Clown
1 Clown Goby, Green
1 Red Mandarin
2 Green Chromis
1 Six Line Wrass
1 Spotted Hawk or a Falco Hawk
1 Hermit Crab which I do know it's kind
2 Blue Leg Hermit Crab
1 Decorator Crab
1 Goby
1 Bubble Tip Anemone
1 Tube Anemone
1 Red/ Orange Sponge
2 Sea Apple (red- Purple color)
A collection of corals: Mushroom corals, flavia/ Brain- Green, Disk, Bubble...

J,