Yellow tang, yellow tail blue damsel and what?

[TripsReef]

I currently have a 40 gallon reef tank(only zoas) with about 35lbs of lr. Right now my only inhabitants are a 2inch yellow tail blue damsel and a 3inch yellow tang. I would like to add a clownfish, preferably a maroon clown, however I know that clowns and damsels can be aggressive towards each other. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this combination of critters. Also, a little later down the road I may add a green mandolin goby along with som Copepods/amphipods mix although I have a somewhat finely crushed coral substrate about 2-3 inches de. Any advice as to whether the clown and/or goby are good/bad ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[MrTuskfish]

I hate to be so negative, but....I think your tank is way too small for any tang. They grow and need swimming room. Tangs get very nasty when cramped. LA suggests 100 gal as the minimum size tank for a YT. (LiveAquaria.com, a good reference spot, IMO) Damsels are hardy and pretty little fish that will often nip and harass any fish. Often keeping target fish permanently hiding. Single maroon clowns will almost always become big females and they are one of the most territorial fish that swims. A grown maroon could easily claim all of the room in your tank and wouldn't allow any new comers. I'd choose a smaller, more peaceful clown. I think you should research fish before you buy, and consider the adult versions of the fish. I seldom say anything about mandarins; but getting mandarins to thrive in small tanks is really tough. I hope the next posts reflect some more positive suggestions. YTs and damsels are often sold to beginners; if they helped you, I'd expect them to at least take the tang back. I hope the next posts are more positive.

[gone fishin]

I agree with Mr. Tuskfish. I think you would have a hard time keeping enough pods for a mandarin. Maroons are very territorial and clowns are part of the damsel family.

[TripsReef]

Thanks for the input. I do realize the tang is cramped right now but this is just a temporary home until I set up the 75gal. And as far as the pods are concerned, I've heard as long as there is enough vegetation for the, to spawn in, that they should replenished as quickly as they are consumed, given the initial stocking is high enough. I was worried that the maroon would be too aggressive but that's why asked before buying one. Now as far as other clowns, does anyone know a good variety that may work for me.

[Donkeykong]

All I am going to say is I would not put a yellow tang in a 40g. As mentioned maroon clowns can get pretty territorial. Not saying you cant have one just make sure you put any other fish you plan in first, especially gobies.

[TripsReef]

Donkey Kong, the tang is just in the 40g for a short time, just until the 75g is done being set up and cycled, as I stated previously.

[gone fishin]

I would try the ocellarus or percula clowns.

[rssjsb]

Originally Posted by TripsReef

And as far as the pods are concerned, I've heard as long as there is enough vegetation for the, to spawn in, that they should replenished as quickly as they are consumed, given the initial stocking is high enough.

Mandarins will eat a pod every 8 seconds and they need to eat all day long to keep their metabolism high enough. They can deplete the pods in a 40 gallon in very little time. Do you have a refugium? If not, I would set one up in the 75 and not even consider this fish until you've had that tank up and running for a year.

[TripsReef]

Thanks, robin. That's very helpful information. I think I'll wait on the mandarin for awhile.

[Empty Bottles]

Also something to keep in mind if you're stocking a 75 without a refugium is staying away from fish that poke around the aquarium for microfauna to eat if you are planning on adding a mandarin. You will want to stock planktivores and grazers, but stay away from certain gobies, longnose butterflies, wrasses (excluding fairies and flashers) and centropyge. I have seen all of them hunt and peck for pods.

I currently have a mandarin in a 100 gallon with no refugium, but I seeded with a few bags of pods at intervals and waited 9 months to add a mandarin. Granted it's only been in the aquarium for 5 months and I don't yet consider it a success, but he doesn't seem to be gaunt. I planned to add one from the beginning and had to choose the right stocking list to allow it. If this one doesn't make it I'm done with them. As I type this I'm thinking about adding a copper band butterfly, melaunarus wrasse and a tiger watchman goby, and wonder if I made the right decision.

[DopeCantWin]

Originally Posted by TripsReef

Donkey Kong, the tang is just in the 40g for a short time, just until the 75g is done being set up and cycled, as I stated previously.

The 75 is still too small for that tang. Not to mention it should be up for quite a while(months) before any tang goes in.

[Dmorty217]

Originally Posted by mrtuskfish

i hate to be so negative, but....i think your tank is way too small for any tang. They grow and need swimming room. Tangs get very nasty when cramped. La suggests 100 gal as the minimum size tank for a yt. (liveaquaria.com, a good reference spot, imo) damsels are hardy and pretty little fish that will often nip and harass any fish. Often keeping target fish permanently hiding. Single maroon clowns will almost always become big females and they are one of the most territorial fish that swims. A grown maroon could easily claim all of the room in your tank and wouldn't allow any new comers. I'd choose a smaller, more peaceful clown. I think you should research fish before you buy, and consider the adult versions of the fish. I seldom say anything about mandarins; but getting mandarins to thrive in small tanks is really tough. I hope the next posts reflect some more positive suggestions. Yts and damsels are often sold to beginners; if they helped you, i'd expect them to at least take the tang back. I hope the next posts are more positive.

+1000

[Dmorty217]

Originally Posted by TripsReef

Thanks for the input. I do realize the tang is cramped right now but this is just a temporary home until I set up the 75gal. And as far as the pods are concerned, I've heard as long as there is enough vegetation for the, to spawn in, that they should replenished as quickly as they are consumed, given the initial stocking is high enough. I was worried that the maroon would be too aggressive but that's why asked before buying one. Now as far as other clowns, does anyone know a good variety that may work for me.

Did you miss the part about 100g being the smallest for a yellow tang, IMO and most others who keep tangs successfully a 125g or another tank 6ft or more is a must for tangs. Your 75g is no better then the 40g you currently have

[Empty Bottles]

For what it's worth Scott W. Michael said in 2001 that yellow tangs need at least a 75 gallon aquarium. I know that was over a decade ago, and there have been a lot of changes within the hobby since. With the right aquascape it may be alright. No rocks on the back glass with all the rocks stacked in the middle making a really intricate large structure with plenty of caves.

Don't take any of the harsh criticism too hard. Most of the people on here are very passionate about this hobby. Sometimes I wonder if their replies are counter productive though and people become scared to ask questions. My advice to you is put the tang in the 75 once it's stable and mature then hopefully you can have an opportunity to upgrade in the next year or so. If you're interested in bristletooth tangs you may be able to get credit for your yellow tang at your LFS and get one of those. Koles and Tomini tangs are really popular choices. 4' aquariums really limit your fish selection and you can get some good deals on CL.

[DragKnee]

I've seen yellow tangs strive in tanks under 75g for years. Tangs in smaller sized tanks seems to be the hot point for most people. Edited~This is a phrase we are trying to get away from~dc

My uncle had a Powder Blue Tang in a 65g that thrived for 2.5 years before it started to become stressed due to its size, and they require more room than a YT.

I'd skip on the mandarin till the 75g is very well established, and set up a refugium with it so pods have a safe place to reproduce.

I'd also skip on the maroon clown, and go with an ocellaris or percula.

[DopeCantWin]

Originally Posted by DragKnee

I've seen yellow tangs strive in tanks under 75g for years. Tangs in smaller sized tanks seems to be the hot point for most people. Edited~dc

My uncle had a Powder Blue Tang in a 65g that thrived for 2.5 years before it started to become stressed due to its size, and they require more room than a YT.

I'd skip on the mandarin till the 75g is very well established, and set up a refugium with it so pods have a safe place to reproduce.

I'd also skip on the maroon clown, and go with an ocellaris or percula.

I think the word you were looking for is thrive. The rule of thumb to look at is how fast they grow. You say that Yellow thrived, how large was it after 2.5 years? My baby Sailfin has grown about an inch in length in the past month. They get a little larger than Yellow Tangs though.