I thought you couldn't have multiple tangs per tank??

[madmax7774]

I hve been in Northern atlanta on vacation visiting the parents, and I stumbled onto a fantastic Fish store. Anyways, they had a nice in-wall display tank, that was I'm guessing 125 gallons. They had 2 yellow tangs, 1 hippo tang, and 2 other tangs I couldn't recognize, along with about 10 other fish. I have been repeatedly told that you can't have more than 1 tang per tank, as they will kil each other. So what gives. Obviously this tank is doing ok with multiple tangs.

I have a yellow tang that is about 4" long, and so far he has been great. My wife really, really wants a hippo tang, but I was hesiant to put one in because of all of the warnings. My tank size is 75 gallons, and I would love to be able to add a hippo tang for her. So does anyone else have multiple tangs successfully???

John

[ChrisTran]

I also have a 75g mixed reef with a 3" yellow tang and a 2" blue tang. I added the blue tang 3 months ago and they have been doing great.

[Charlie97L]

I also have a 75g mixed reef with a 3" yellow tang and a 2" blue tang. I added the blue tang 3 months ago and they have been doing great.

 

if they are conspecifics, (ie same body shape, for instance, yellow, purple, and scopas are all the same shape, with different colors, or like hippo/powderblue/etc) that will hold the most aggression to each other. usually with those it's best to introduce them at the same time so they can each easily establish their territory without getting in the way.

 

from what i've seen, most of the time, they will eventually settle down, after the newcomer establishes itself... however, there IS always a danger that they'll get into it really hard and one will get killed.

 

sometimes conspecifics will even school together, in a large enough tank, i know johnny at BRK said his 4 tangs do that, but that's rare.

 

it really comes down to the individual. with a large enough tank and enough territory, they should eventually settle down, though they may continue to spar occassionally.

[Leishman]

I have 4 tangs in my main system with one more on the way (pic below, had to show it - too excited) and I have 2 in my frag tank. Never had an issue.

 

[Guest clownfish4]

Only conspecifics will quarrel but you can't put a hippo in a 75g. They will VERY QUICKLY outgrow it.

[copps]

What is recommended to the novice reefer and what is accomplished by experienced reefers are two different things.

 

Through careful planning and introduction multiple tangs and angels could be kept in home aquaria, even to the point of spawning. However, this is not an easy task and many times even if you need to ask the question you should not attempt.

 

With that said, in a four foot system I'd only recommend you go with Zebrasoma genus (like the yellow you have) or Ctenochaetus genus (like a kole for example). The issue with hippos is not necessarily that they need the swimming room of for example the Acanthurus genus (like the powder blue), but rather their growth rate! I've owned many species of tangs this fish has grown faster than all...

 

Here's my old 65 with a yellow and a tomini (Ctenochaetus tominiensis) shown in the right corner...

 

In an old 54 corner you could see the hippo from just a couple of years ago...

 

Here's a shot of my display today with a trio of regal angels, pair of chrysurus, and six species of tangs including the two guys seen from my old 65 and the hippo after it's growth (these shots are from last year and it's grown to become the largest fish in the system)...

 

A shot with flash under actinics only...

[GaryL]

wow john great pics!

 

i have a sailfin a hippo and a yellow

 

 

just a pic of the sailfin my faverite fish but the hippo is awsome too. im ok with the dorkfish i mean yellow it is just a little territorial and tries to pick on the sailfin 2 times its size. the sailfin doesnt have any problem keeping the yellow at bay

[copps]

What gives Gary... why is the yellow the dorkfish? He's the only American of the three... where's your national pride!?:D

[GaryL]

well if youe seen him you would know. he does have the american spirit!! he is NOT my least favortie fish.

 

OK OK i cant seem to back pedal enough!!

 

my least fav even though he is a bueaty is the orchid dotty, beat up my six line >:-(

[jwildman]

John ... great pictures, really great. I have 4 tangs in my 180 ... Yellow, Purple, Blue Hippo, Sailfin. I bought them all the same day and put them in the tank at the same time. They all get along fairly well. The yellow and the purple tail each other once in a while. For the most part they get along.

 

I think the key is to get them at the same time, at least it worked well for me.

 

Good luck,

 

John

[dmward99]

I have a scopas and a orange shoulder in my 125.I got them at the same time and introduced them at the same time.

[geofloors]

I have 6 in a 280g. I have purple, blonde naso, convict, cheveron, tomini, hippo.

 

 

George