Powder or regal?

[rookiegirl]

Just taking a look at my fish list, my 90g should have water tomorrow after many delays, etc. Thought i would take my mind off of plumbing for a moment and relax with some fish research.

Initially a regal tank was at the top of my list as i just love the beautiful colors but am finding a lot of feedback about how hard they are to keep. Ich seems to be common with them but i am curious to learn a bit more from someone who has direct experience.

Also heard i may be better off with a powder blue, whaddya think? Tx.

[RyanMcLaughlin]

Well a powder is more difficult than the regal. All tangs are considered ich magnets because they are all so sensitive to changes. They definitely need to be qt. I havent had one but from mine and other posts some regals nip at LPS corals and some dont. For a more stable fish I would get the regal.

[rookiegirl]

Once QT'ed are ich problems always a worry with regals? Is it something you always have to be on the look out with them or is it more of an issue with water quality?

[Jerry W]

Personally, I think either fish is going to be crowded in a 90, especially as they put on some size. Hepatus (regal) tangs are highly susceptible to not only parasites but other afflictions, such as HLLE. Quarantine of all fish would be advisable to minimize the risk of introducing parasites to your main tank. Many report outbreaks of ich even after quarantine of these fish.

[AquaReeferMan]

IMO a 90g is too small for either one of those tangs. Save yourself some trouble and go with one of the smaller, less active tangs.

[rookiegirl]

Which other tangs would you recommend? My fish list is just being made and it's flexible. It's a reef tank with a few fish planned to accent it.

[RyanMcLaughlin]

A yellow tang is a good smaller one. Also there is purple tangs and chevrons wich dont grow as big as other tangs.

[rookiegirl]

Thanks i'll do some research on those...the yellow is on my list already. :)

[RyanMcLaughlin]

Definintely only go with one tang. I know they are cool but they get big.

[rookiegirl]

Any idea if a flame angel would blend well with a yellow tang? The two biggest fish i plan to stock are likely going to be a yellow tang (maybe purple) and a flame angel. The other choices i have made are smaller and common community choices.

[yoboyjdizz]

A yellow tang and flame angel would be fine together.