Is this true?

[jhawkor]

A worker at an LFS that I go to told me that you must keep odd numbers of tangs together like 1,3,5,etc. or they will kill each other. Is this true? Can you not keep 2 tangs in one tank?

[BrianD]

That is dependent on the species of tangs involved, the size of the tank, etc etc.

His comment about "odd number" is laughable.

[Maxi]

I don't know what to say. I think he's trying to say that 1 male to two females?

I don't know much about tangs.. but yeah, sounds pretty ridiculous.

[jhawkor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521161#post15521161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maxi
I don't know what to say. I think he's trying to say that 1 male to two females?

I don't know much about tangs.. but yeah, sounds pretty ridiculous.
He just told me that if I were to keep 2 tangs in my tank they would surely kill each other and that they HAVE to be kept in odd numbers. Also, cool to see someone other than me that plays paintball on here.

[Ian]

I have 2 Zebrasomas living in harmony :D

[JuliusJames]

Untrue. I had a yellow tang and a powder blue for 3 years and they were best buds

[PRDubois]

You are not supposed to have 2 tangs of the same type.
2 yellow tangs together would be bad. 3 would be fine.

Yellow Tang and Powder blue or Hippo are fine because they are different types.

[JuliusJames]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521522#post15521522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PRDubois
You are not supposed to have 2 tangs of the same type.
2 yellow tangs together would be bad. 3 would be fine.

Yellow Tang and Powder blue or Hippo are fine because they are different types.

Make sense. How about clownfish? Can you keep two of the same type?

[PRDubois]

Yes, Clownfish you should buy young and in a pair. One will change sex so you will end up with a male and a female.

You can start with more then 2 if you want, but once to join together they will kill or pick on the others.

[JuliusJames]

Good to know. I have 2 picassos and they fight occassionally but I read its common. I was thinkin of buying maybe 4 more but I might have to think twice

[PRDubois]

fight occassionally is common. the dominate one will be determined and one will change sex

I started out with 5. Now I have 3.
Two in a pair and one that hides all the time.

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521068#post15521068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jhawkor
A worker at an LFS that I go to told me that you must keep odd numbers of tangs together like 1,3,5,etc. or they will kill each other. Is this true? Can you not keep 2 tangs in one tank?

Unfortunately we read a lot of just plain stupid comments from LFS employees... this is one of them.

IME.

LL

[jmaneyapanda]

The odd number thing is just absurd. Territorial fish are...territorial.

BTW, what does it mean when fish are "best buds"?

[sedor]

Sounds like the LFS wasn't going to be happy unless you bought not 2, but 3 tangs from them lol. Like everyone else said, that is a ridiculous statement. If you want to be extra safe and you don't have a gigantic tank just don't take get 2 with similar body shapes.

Also, when you decide to add tangs its generally easiest to add them last because they can be very aggressive towards newcomers in their territory.

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521721#post15521721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaneyapanda

BTW, what does it mean when fish are "best buds"?

It means they have not killed each other yet. Fish don't have "friends"

[Gwynhidwy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521884#post15521884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
It means they have not killed each other yet. Fish don't have "friends"

What do you mean? Mine roast marshmallows together and have slumber parties! :celeb1: Doesn't everyone's? :D

To the OP, I wouldn't go on what LFS's say, particularly the one that gave you that advice. Tangs do not need to be kept in odd numbers. To keep your tangs from fighting and killing each other, only keep species that actually fit in your tank, unless you have a large tank choose species of different body shapes and colors, add your tangs after other less aggressive fish, if keeping multiple tangs its usually best to add them at the same time, and feed well.

Edited to add: If your tank is the 75G in your signature, take a look at tangs from the Ctenochaetus genus. They are generally the most suited to small tanks. You would probably be best off with only one tang in a tank that size.

[snorvich]

I agree with Gwynhidwy except about the roasting marshmallows. *I* do that but I do not share with my fish.

[jnc914]

Keep your friend's close and you enemies closer. I always think of that when I see some of my fish swimming next to each other. I agree that fish don't make friends, they just tolerate each other for the most part.

[Ian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521522#post15521522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PRDubois
You are not supposed to have 2 tangs of the same type.
2 yellow tangs together would be bad. 3 would be fine.


Is this your experience or something you read?


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521200#post15521200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ian
I have 2 Zebrasomas living in harmony :D

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521721#post15521721 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaneyapanda

BTW, what does it mean when fish are "best buds"?

It means they are constantly "sizing each other up", keeping an eye on each other, hence always hanging out together. Agree with Steve, fish don't make friends.

[Jacob D]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15521068#post15521068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jhawkor
A worker at an LFS that I go to told me that you must keep odd numbers of tangs together like 1,3,5,etc. or they will kill each other. Is this true? Can you not keep 2 tangs in one tank?



That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Everyone knows they have to be kept in groups of prime numbers.

[Gwynhidwy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15522725#post15522725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jacob D
Everyone knows they have to be kept in groups of prime numbers.

lol!

That must be why my tank with 16 yellow tangs in it didn't work until I added the 17th! :P

[JuliusJames]

You guys are hilarious! So what do you guys call 2 fish who seldom or never fight and are always swimming together and have each others back???

[jmaneyapanda]

My question was rhetorical, but my answer is the same as what has been said. Fish to keep "friends".


You guys are hilarious! So what do you guys call 2 fish who seldom or never fight and are always swimming together and have each others back???

Toleration. What does "have each others backs" mean? You really think they are looking out for one another?! That is hilarious.

[JuliusJames]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15523041#post15523041 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaneyapanda
My question was rhetorical, but my answer is the same as what has been said. Fish to keep "friends".




Toleration. What does "have each others backs" mean? You really think they are looking out for one another?! That is hilarious.

So your trying to tell me there is a species out there that's NOT capable of making or having friends. If the tank is big enough for the two of them, then I don't see why not

[jmaneyapanda]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15523106#post15523106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JuliusJames
So your trying to tell me there is a species out there that's NOT capable of making or having friends. If the tank is big enough for the two of them, then I don't see why not

Let me ask you this... why have these fish become friends in YOUR tank, when they are destined to battle everywhere else? These fish are territorial, and defend their territories against the intruders by doing what? By "mirroring" their opponents.

I think you are MASSIVELY misunderstanding wildlife and behavior if you think these fish have become "friends". Just my opinion.

[Ian]

JuliusJames, do you really want to get into an argument with Jeremy? :lol:

[jmaneyapanda]

I guess that means its time for me to **** again.

[JuliusJames]

Jeremy, I understand and respect what your saying. They are territorial in nature and just want to envision them as friends just to keep me sane from all the nibbling and fighting going on in my tank from my other fish. If you could just see the two, they seem so peaceful together.

Please don't hurt me =\

[small alien]

There's science and then there's fish keeping. There's plenty of over-lap but they are not the same thing. If a fish behaviorist said two fish were friends, that would be laughable. If someone wants to think two fish in their tank are friends or "best buds" or WHATEVER, I really think that's up to them and I don't think they should be mocked for it.

[pulpol]

I had 15+ tangs in one tank and they were all friends.

[pulpol]

But even friends they tend to fight. It's a love and hate relationship.

[small alien]

Already heard that one.

[pulpol]

I know. I am just reiterating what he said.

[Outerbank]

It is also very rare for a small fish to "swim" or "play" with a large fish with a large mouth. Simply because Mr. Big will eat him whenever he desires. There are a few exceptions (remoras, cleaner fish) but never will a clownfish become friends with a grouper.

With all that said, I still "convince" myself that all my fish are friends. :)