Convict Tang with Other Tangs

[WLachnit]

Considering adding a convict tang to my 300g which has 5 other tangs. None of them are of the Acanthuras genus. Anyone wth any experience?

Current tangs
Yellow
Purple
Kole
Hippo
Naso

[johnike]

I had one in my 240 with no problem with Purple x2, Yellow x2, Desjardini, Hippo, Tomini, and Chevron for years with no troubles.

[NewOne81]

I have similar tangs in my display as well and no trouble. I think a bigger problem might be getting a healthy convict to begin with.

[WLachnit]

Thanks. Divers Den has one right now. Are they more disease prone?


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[Dmorty217]

Originally Posted by WLachnit

Thanks. Divers Den has one right now. Are they more disease prone?


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Typically never eat and perish, or do and never thrive. They are a expert only species in my opinion. There is a reason you don't see many in aquariums.

[ca1ore]

Yeah, not the easiest tang. Usually come in quite thin, even emaciated, and it can take many months to get them back to a healthy weight. Accomplishing this in a competitive community aquarium is usually asking just too much. I have had success with the convict (and the more expensive Mauritian cousin) by housing them in a large refugium and feeding plenty of nori. Once you get them over the hump they are absolutely among my favorite tangs.

[WLachnit]

Thanks, This is all very helpful. Didn't realize that about this Tang.


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[scooter31707]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Yeah, not the easiest tang. Usually come in quite thin, even emaciated, and it can take many months to get them back to a healthy weight. Accomplishing this in a competitive community aquarium is usually asking just too much. I have had success with the convict (and the more expensive Mauritian cousin) by housing them in a large refugium and feeding plenty of nori. Once you get them over the hump they are absolutely among my favorite tangs.

For this reason, I think they should be added first before any other aggressive fish. I almost treat them like Regal Angels. Make sure they are well established and eating.

[Jonvo324]

I think the convict tangs just need to eat constantly to help maintain their weight. After seeing them swim as large schools in Hawaii, I can say that they eat constantly; they are always grazing on algae. This is probably why they require so much algae based foods to survive. However they get stressed easily, so if they don't eat from stress, they lose a lot of weight and makes it harder for them to thrive


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[ca1ore]

I think that's true for all tangs

[pinnatus]

I still remember a clip on one of those shows, like Blue Planet or something, where there were 2 Powder Blue Tangs patrolling their little algae patch, and a school of convicts (>50 fish) came by and ate all their algae despite the best efforts of the Powder Blues to chase them away. The Powder Blues were so sad looking at the end.

[trembz]

Had a convict for about 2 months who wouldn't accept prepares foods, once he cleaned all the algae in my rank he perished rather quickly

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[WLachnit]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I think that's true for all tangs

Agree!

[Haffs09]

I've had my convict for 5 or 6 years with an achilles, powder blue, fowlers, hippo and desjardini. By far, the convict is the busiest in the tank in terms of constantly grazing on the rock and glass. It's a real worker! He knows his place in the hierarchy and generally everyone else leaves him alone. I have 9 or 10 chalk bass in the tank and for whatever reason, these seem to drive the convict crazy at times and he'll aggressively chase the one that ****ed him off until it darts into the rock work.

I can't remember how it did through QT, but this is the only one I've ever owned, so I got lucky in that regard.

[WLachnit]

Appreciate all the responses. Definitely helpful. I did go ahead pull the trigger on a smaller sized convict. I have him in QT right now and definitely has an appetite and he’s eating. He will go in my 300g once he gets past QT. Will definitely keep an eye on him wrt eating.


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[WLachnit]

Here’s a pic. He’s about 3” and eating well.

[ca1ore]

He looks really good for a convict. They usually come in very thin but yours does not look thin at all.

[BlueMac92]

Originally Posted by pinnatus

I still remember a clip on one of those shows, like Blue Planet or something, where there were 2 Powder Blue Tangs patrolling their little algae patch, and a school of convicts (>50 fish) came by and ate all their algae despite the best efforts of the Powder Blues to chase them away. The Powder Blues were so sad looking at the end.

Every time I see a convict that clip pops into my head! Probably part of the reason PBTs are so aggressive in aquariums.

[WLachnit]

Added the Convict Tang to my DT a couple of weeks ago and noticed that it looked like he had lost weight even thugh he's eating well. Since being in the DR, looks like he’s gained a bit. Definitely keeping an eye on him.

[Terry Reefer]

Nice convict.

[d-man]

I've had good success from getting the, from a reputable dealer and also placing mastics foods in the qt tank to keep them eating well

[Spartan]

i think they are very, very tough to succeed with. That said I've had one for several years. If you can get it established, you really can treat it the same as other tangs. I feed formula 2, occasional mysis and chopped shrimp.
As far as behavior, it is a more passive species.
Good luck!

[nematode]

I think many of them are carrying intestinal parasites
In my experience a few do well but most waste away even in an algae rich tank
I would Q and treat with prazipro I’d I get another one

[nematode]

And in my experience they will gorge on nori even if they won’t eat flake or pellets