Tang Tank Strategy

rjjr1963 · 01/13/2019, 02:27 AM

I'm setting up a 139 gallon tank that is 5' long 22" deep and 22" tall and I want to have three different tangs.

Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Kole Tang

I know tangs like to fight so is there any good order to introduce these three different tangs so that they can all survive? I currently have a yellow tang in my 40b.

Uncle99 · 01/13/2019, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjjr1963

I'm setting up a 139 gallon tank that is 5' long 22" deep and 22" tall and I want to have three different tangs.

Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Kole Tang

I know tangs like to fight so is there any good order to introduce these three different tangs so that they can all survive? I currently have a yellow tang in my 40b.

They should enter the system last and at the same time.

hkgar · 01/13/2019, 02:56 PM

lIf you introduce the Tangs separately I would suggest this order Kole, Yellow, Purple. Least aggressive to most aggressive. I have 3 tangs is a 180: Atlantic Blue (6-7 "'s), Purple (4''s) Kole (3"'s). The only agressive one is the Blue ant that is only towards my Two Bar Rabbitfish.

Good guide to tank size here.

Cliving1 · 01/13/2019, 08:30 PM

Agree with hkgar. The purple can be a beast with other tangs.

FullBoreReefer · 01/14/2019, 05:25 AM

Have multiple feeding clips. My purple is a little over protective sometimes of it’s clip. So multiple clips can help them feed elsewhere.

hkgar · 01/14/2019, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FullBoreReefer

Have multiple feeding clips. My purple is a little over protective sometimes of it’s clip. So multiple clips can help them feed elsewhere.

I have two algae clips and the Atlantic Blue will go back and forth between them to try to keep others away. I feed two large Romaine leaves and 1/2 sheet Nori daily. Plus 10 grams frozen (home made) and 3 large pinches of pellets

LIreefguy · 01/14/2019, 06:05 PM

I tired multiple feeding clips because my sohal protected it like a maniac.
Didn’t work he just protected all 3 of them at once.
Luckily I have 10 tangs and a huge 2 barred rabbit fish so I just stuck to one. He can’t chase all 11 fish at once.

Although my 2 barred doesn’t run

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hkgar · 01/15/2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIreefguy

I tired multiple feeding clips because my sohal protected it like a maniac.
Didn’t work he just protected all 3 of them at once.
Luckily I have 10 tangs and a huge 2 barred rabbit fish so I just stuck to one. He can’t chase all 11 fish at once.

Although my 2 barred doesn’t run

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How big is huge? My Two Barred is about 6-7 inches

LIreefguy · 01/15/2019, 02:38 PM

Well not huge like 15 inches. But it’s Like 8 inches but fat. Has to weight like 3 lbs. that’s big for a Reef Fish.

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mattgumaer · 01/15/2019, 04:12 PM

Another vote for all at once, if possible. If not, as others have stated, least to most aggressive. I've got three, a powder blue, kole and yellow in a 180, all added at the same time. My powder blue chases the others a little but, not too bad. Clearly the dominate tang. I've tried to add a couple of fish that the powder blue must have viewed as competitors. It did not go well.....even with an acclimation box. Once a dominant fish is established, in all but very large tanks, it may prove difficult to add any other similar fish. I love my powder blue, who's been with me a little over three years now I think but, I've given up on the idea of trying to add any more similar fish to the tank (I would love to add a fox face to handle some bubble algae but, such is life).

Matt

marzvt · 01/16/2019, 05:50 AM

Agree with all at once. I also ditched clips and cut the nori into strips what I hand feed. Usually one grabs it then another grabs the other end then they pull it apart, then the third steps in and breaks off a piece. I have a naso, vlamingi and a powder brown. The naso and vlamingi aren’t supposed to get along but they are pretty happy like this.

Dmorty217 · 01/16/2019, 08:08 AM

All at once or at least the two zebrasoma tangs at one time. Be prepared to rearrange rock work and possibly having to put mirrors on the tank

rjjr1963 · 01/16/2019, 04:26 PM

The yellow tang is in the old display tank and I have two permanent QT tanks so introducing all three at the same wouldn't be an issue. What about the size of the tangs. Should they all be similar in size or does it really matter?

The new DT is 60"x22"x22".

LIreefguy · 01/16/2019, 05:38 PM

I prefer to buy baby ones. They tend to be less territorial

So I would get ones similar in size to the yellow

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01/13/2019, 02:27 AM	#1
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	Tang Tank Strategy I'm setting up a 139 gallon tank that is 5' long 22" deep and 22" tall and I want to have three different tangs. Yellow Tang Purple Tang Kole Tang I know tangs like to fight so is there any good order to introduce these three different tangs so that they can all survive? I currently have a yellow tang in my 40b. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

01/13/2019, 02:56 PM	#3
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	lIf you introduce the Tangs separately I would suggest this order Kole, Yellow, Purple. Least aggressive to most aggressive. I have 3 tangs is a 180: Atlantic Blue (6-7 "'s), Purple (4''s) Kole (3"'s). The only agressive one is the Blue ant that is only towards my Two Bar Rabbitfish. Good guide to tank size here. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

01/14/2019, 05:25 AM	#5
FullBoreReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 1,862	Have multiple feeding clips. My purple is a little over protective sometimes of it’s clip. So multiple clips can help them feed elsewhere. __________________ 60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016.

01/16/2019, 08:08 AM	#12
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	All at once or at least the two zebrasoma tangs at one time. Be prepared to rearrange rock work and possibly having to put mirrors on the tank __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

01/16/2019, 04:26 PM	#13
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	The yellow tang is in the old display tank and I have two permanent QT tanks so introducing all three at the same wouldn't be an issue. What about the size of the tangs. Should they all be similar in size or does it really matter? The new DT is 60"x22"x22". __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef

01/13/2019, 08:30 PM	#4
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	Agree with hkgar. The purple can be a beast with other tangs.

01/14/2019, 06:05 PM	#7
LIreefguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 98	I tired multiple feeding clips because my sohal protected it like a maniac. Didn’t work he just protected all 3 of them at once. Luckily I have 10 tangs and a huge 2 barred rabbit fish so I just stuck to one. He can’t chase all 11 fish at once. Although my 2 barred doesn’t run Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

01/15/2019, 02:38 PM	#9
LIreefguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 98	Well not huge like 15 inches. But it’s Like 8 inches but fat. Has to weight like 3 lbs. that’s big for a Reef Fish. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

01/15/2019, 04:12 PM	#10
mattgumaer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 561	Another vote for all at once, if possible. If not, as others have stated, least to most aggressive. I've got three, a powder blue, kole and yellow in a 180, all added at the same time. My powder blue chases the others a little but, not too bad. Clearly the dominate tang. I've tried to add a couple of fish that the powder blue must have viewed as competitors. It did not go well.....even with an acclimation box. Once a dominant fish is established, in all but very large tanks, it may prove difficult to add any other similar fish. I love my powder blue, who's been with me a little over three years now I think but, I've given up on the idea of trying to add any more similar fish to the tank (I would love to add a fox face to handle some bubble algae but, such is life). Matt

01/16/2019, 05:50 AM	#11
marzvt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Vermont Posts: 52	Agree with all at once. I also ditched clips and cut the nori into strips what I hand feed. Usually one grabs it then another grabs the other end then they pull it apart, then the third steps in and breaks off a piece. I have a naso, vlamingi and a powder brown. The naso and vlamingi aren’t supposed to get along but they are pretty happy like this.

01/16/2019, 05:38 PM	#14
LIreefguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 98	I prefer to buy baby ones. They tend to be less territorial So I would get ones similar in size to the yellow Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro