Introducing two new tangs... thoughts

[ehutchby]

Earlier today I recieved an order of a Vlamingi Tang and an Atlantic Blue tang. I have acclimated them both. Given them a formaline bath, turned off my lights and introduced them both to my main dislplay. They both came from a good source.
Both are peacful tangs. Both new tangs are slightly larger than the current tangs.
My other tank inhabitants are: Small 2 to 3 inches: powder blue tang, yellow tang and blue hippo tang.
My powder blue tang almost immediatly began showing aggression towards the atlantic blue and then went after the Vlmaingi tang.
After 20 minutes I was able to remove both of the new fish and put them into my 40g refugium, with the lights off.
Any suggestions as to how to introduce them again.
I was thinking of removing the powder blue (if I can net him) and put him and the other new tangs in my quarantine tank. Thoughts??
Thanks

[betamed]

Are these 5 tangs all a 4 foot tank?

[ehutchby]

Yep..Five small tangs..
My plan is to upgrade to a larger, longer tank..
What are your thoughts about the introduction?

[ehutchby]

Please note:
I know others don't agree with stocking a tank my size with five tangs.
I forgot: I have a small female blue jaw trigger also in the tank.. She is very nice and easy going.
Six small fish total..

[Peter Eichler]

Oi... I think you need to get rid of 3 or 4 tangs. Maybe keep the Powder Blue and the Yellow, of the Hepatus and the Yellow since Powder Blues can be quite mean as you've found out. Do you realize how large Vlamingi tangs get and what size aquarium you'll need?

[gmneil]

if you can catch the tangs that were there before the new additions for a day or 2 put them in the sump,then put the new tangs in and give them a day or tow head start that might help

[massman]

The powder blue is the biggest threat.
Remove him, rearrange your rockwork, introduce the new fish.
Give them a couple days to get used to their surroundings and eating solidly.
Then try reintroducing the powder blue.

Bear in mind that this may only be a stop gap measure for a period of time.
Ultimately you will need to make a choice.

Of the hundreds of Powder blues that have been in my care I can count on one hand those which were passive.

[BangkokMatt]

Thats a ridiculous amount of tangs to have in such a small tank. It didn't work from the off set and it never will. You need to remove all but one. The vlamingi has to go. You need a 400g+ due to the size they get.

[dkirchoff]

I may be interupting the thread abit, so sorry about that ehutchby
but, would the 'tang police' find it also wrong if its 3 tangs in the same 120? A yellow tang, a yellow belly hippo and a purple tang?

[missippboy]

There is no feasible way to go about putting 5 tangs in one tank. The Atlantic Blue is not going to be liked by any of the others and the powder blue is not going to like ANYONE. I would have to say you are lucky to have the 3 that you do.

However.. the Vlamingi is a quite hardy fish and generally gets along well with others...so he would be the only one I would take a chance at adding, although he gets huuggee and will hate his life.

Good luck

[louie07]

i would wait to add the new tangs until you upgrade. because then all of them will not be territorial as they are entering a new area. less aggresion....

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14537399#post14537399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dkirchoff
I may be interupting the thread abit, so sorry about that ehutchby
but, would the 'tang police' find it also wrong if its 3 tangs in the same 120? A yellow tang, a yellow belly hippo and a purple tang?

It's not the tang police in this thread, it's the common sense police. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with that combo of tangs and think Zebrasoma adapt well to smaller confines than most tangs. You may have some aggression problems with the Yellow and Purple, but either adding them at the same time or adding a larger specimen second would help. The Hepatus tang IMO is a little big for a 120 but will be doable for a while if purchased small.

[crvz]

Yeah, I heard someone once say (and I agree), better to buy fish for the tank you have than the one you want. That much fish in a tank is bound to cause trouble, and truly the only sure-fire fix is to remove a few of them.

I'm surely not one to judge, I've made my own bad decisions as well, but if you expect to have these 5 fish peacefully coexist that may just be expecting too much.

[ehutchby]

thanks for the replies everyone.
After waiting for a while I re-introduced the two tangs into the main display. My main display room is very dark..So far so good.
I will probably remove either the Atantic Blue or powder blue soon.
I really enjoy tangs and have taken care of my current tangs for a while. I'm just curious: I respect what other believe or think... Why not have a couple of small tangs in a 120g reef tank? The tangs seem to really enjoy their habitat. They are very healthy..

[Kahuna Tuna]

A 120 isn't a big enough tank longterm for four of the five species you have and only the yellow is a good choice for a tank that size. A 120 would be a good home for one or two of the smaller species of tangs but five tangs isn't a good idea, even if they are small. I am in total agreement that you should buy fish for the tank you have now instead of the tank you plan to upgrade to, you can always buy the monster tangs once you have the monster tank.

The Vlamingi is going to need a huge tank eventually and all of your other tangs either get large or are aggressive. My thoughts would be to keep the yellow, trade the rest and if you really want another tang I would go with a smaller and more peaceful species like one of the bristletooths or a convict tang.

[ehutchby]

I love your quote by Churchill...

[ehutchby]

It looks like poor planning on my part. I'll have some choices to make soon.

[dkirchoff]

I am guilty too. and relax guys about the tang police thing (it was all in jest) I made a similar mistake by adding a clown tang with the yellow and the hippo...a mistake I will never make again on account of lack of space for his particular species of tang (like the sohal tang) the both need oceans of water to swim, I think we have all been guilty of impulse purchases at one time or another...an expert isnt an expert without trials and tribulations right?

[ehutchby]

That sure is right...

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14537938#post14537938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ehutchby
I'm just curious: I respect what other believe or think... Why not have a couple of small tangs in a 120g reef tank? The tangs seem to really enjoy their habitat. They are very healthy..

I agree with some of the other comments, it's more of a "which tang" in this case. a ctenochaetus or smaller zebrasoma, or less active acanthurus (convict, mimic, etc.) would be fine in that size tank. but the naso (vlamingi), hippo, and similar just get way too large and need a bit more space (or so goes the general consensus, which I think is accurate).

[BrianD]

I appreciate the fact this thread has remained civil, and I respect the original poster for not getting defensive.

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14535749#post14535749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ehutchby
... Thoughts?? Thanks
Every fish purchase contains an element of risk both for the fish (transfer, acclimation, compatibility, etc.) and your tank (patogen introduction, compatibility, etc.). Part of desicion making process prior to getting a fish should include proper research about the particular species needs and behavior. As aquarists, we should strive to provide those basic needs. The other options are not good for the fish and other live beings in our tanks. A pretty good book on the subject is "What Fish" by Tristan Lougher. The little book includes data on 21 different tang's behavior and other fish reactions to them.

Also, I know how hard it is to pass on fish we love to have but...
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14538026#post14538026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kahuna Tuna
...should buy fish for the tank you have now instead of the tank you plan to upgrade to...

[ehutchby]

I agree...
My display tank is in my busines's office.
I came in this morning to see the powder blue tang very aggressive, still, toward the atlantic blue tang. The atlantic blue looked horrible. Like he had been in a boxing match and had lost. He was very active, but beat up.
I removed him from the tank and put him into the refugium.
I'm going to check my parameters of my QT tank and put him in there to keep a close watch (probably after a couple of days in the fug) Hopefully he will be ok.

The Vlamingi tang looks good. It is starting to co mingle with the other fish.
I hate learning these lessons at the expense of the fish.
I'm going to decide which of the tangs to remove.
I totally respect everyone's opinions and thoughts.
All will be well.

[ehutchby]

By the way.
When I introduced the female blue jaw trigger, the powder blue tang approached it and showed that it was dominent. This took place for about 10 minutes and that was it. It didn't look that aggressive at the time. They get along great now.
What are you thoughts about the introduction of a reef safe wrasse? I don't think that the powder blue will "bully" it.

[ehutchby]

sorry folks. I keep hitting the submit button with out finishing my thought.
I'm thinking of adding a wrasse after the tang situation has been taken care off..

[Peter Eichler]

I think a wrasse will be fine because of the major differences between them and the tang. Just make sure you do your research as there are a lot of wrasses and a lot of them are difficult for the average aquarist or get very large. Also, they are known jumpers so precautions to make sure they stay in the tank should be made.

[anbosu]

So if the tank is at your place of business do you get to write off the fish as a business expense? If so that is awesome.

[ehutchby]

Yes. Our clients get to enjoy the tank as they come in for meetings.
Off topic: but I have really enjoyed the tank in my office, however, things can go wrong at the worst times.
I'm removing the Vlamingi tang and probably the Powder Blue. I've already removed the Atlantic Blue. Rethinking things for a bit..
I can't post "for sales" yet..

[ehutchby]

By the way: Thanks everyone for your coments and suggestions.