[jimw369]

This is one of those subjects that invokes so much discussion among reefers.

I would like to hear some views on the subject of how many Tangs are acceptable in a given size of tank and some thoughts on different kinds of tangs that people seem to think get along with each other. It appears there is popular opinion out there that says it is the order you introduce the different Tangs into your tank.

I would like to call out JV for some views on this subject as he has 5? Tangs in his tank.

This is in no way intended to start arguments on this subject but only to provide concentrated info for people to see rather than have a smathering of opinions regarding this subject in several different forums.

This seems to be a topic that creates much interest as most people with a large enough tank want at least 1 Tang...or 2...or 3... I have one and would like to add one more if possible.

What do you think?

[TreeHugger74]

Wow....JV just got served!

[jimw369]

Awww now come on Treehugger! I asked for JV to respond because he might have some insight on this subject. JV is going against a lot of people with the Tangs but he says hes having success and we have seen pics of his great looking tank. There are other people here who I respect for there knowledge about reefing that I hope will respond that I think feel different than JV. Many of us are familiar with each other and for this reason I think we can keep it civil and beneficial as well. I hope.

[TreeHugger74]

"I would like to call out JV for some views on this subject as he has 5? "

was just pokin fun at the way you worded that... You were "callin him out"

[WILLIAM1]

I Used To Have Two Tangs A Yellow And A Sailfin The Yellow Tang Would Just Bully The Sailfin Everyday All Day And I Have A 90 With Alot Of Hiding Spaces. Well Needless To Say The Yellow Tang Won That Battle Rest In Peace Sailfin. But I Have Personally Seen 8 Or 10 Yellow Tangs In One Tank The Same Size As Mine.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

That guy that has his tank on camera 24-7 has what I count to be just 11 yellow tangs alone maybe more. And other tangs as well at least a dozen. But thats a 600 gallon tank.My sweety wants to put 2 yellows in her 65 and I dont like the idea to much,but I have to live here lol.The question is if 2 are too many for a 65 is 20 to many for a 600?I am in the position that if the two seem stressed I can move them to a 135.

[ap3250]

My opinion is that every Tang is compatible with every tang also every Tang is not compatible with every Tang it just depends on the fish you have and the space they have. What I am trying to say is that you just kind of need to get lucky I right now have 3 Tangs in my 125 (powder brown, yellow,and a pacific blue) and they get along fine. I didn't have any problems between the powder brown and the pacific blue but when the yellow Tang was added it went after the powder brown for awhile but now they get along fine.

[glampka]

With regards to yellows - you should either keep 1 or 6 or more. Keep in mind that when we talk of everything in this hobby we speak of "generalities". What works for some may not work for others and that goes for the fish as well. Everything is dependent on tank conditions, size/age of fish, aquascape, etc, etc....

[jimw369]

Here is some info about Tangs some one might find informative.


The subject of tangs, what kind and how many, comes up alot. The problem is there are several answers depending on the type of set-up you have and what you are looking for. I am going to discuss having multiple tangs that are reef safe. There are lots of tangs and surgeon fish that are superb candidates for large fish only set-ups, but those won't be discussed here.

How big of a tank do I need?

In general, tangs require a minimum of 48" of lateral swim room as they are very active swimmers and grazers. Hex and corner bow tanks are not as good of a tank choice because the water volume tends to be more vertical, and other than jelly fish, fish do not swim vertically in their normal activities.

The adult size of the fish is important in choosing the right tank for the tang, or vice versa. Of the tangs that are readily available in the aquaria trade, they grow to a minimum of 7" and the vast majority to 10" - 15". The maximum adult size of the fish should determine the size of your tank.

What do I want a tang for?

Tangs offer a wide variety of body styles and colors. They are excellent and active swimmers that add personality and action to your tank. The most important benefit of having these fish is that, in addition to being active swimmers, they are tremendous grazers and agaevores, aka, good cleaner crew members.

What do I feed my tangs?

Tangs eat a wide variety of algae and may supplement their diet with meaty foods you introduce to your tank. Flake food and seaweed are also to their liking. People also feed their tangs broccolli or other green vegatable matter that approximates their plant diet in the sea. These fish atre known for their appetites and have been called a lot of thing, but never late for dinner.

How many tangs can I have in my tank?

The real challenge here is that it depends on how big the tangs are. You can certainly keep two or three juvenile tangs in a 75 - 100 gallon tank, for a while. They will grow and you will need to accomodate that adult growth at some time in the future. This can be achieved by moving to a new and bigger tank, what a strategy, eh , or trading them in to an LFS or some other more suitable home.

In most reef tanks in the 75 - 100 gallon range you can keep two tangs in the 7' - 10" adult size range without too much problem if you mix the genus properly. Anything under 75 gallons and 48" or longer can accomodate one tang. in that size range.

Michael Paletta suggest a much bigger tank than 75 - 100 gallons for three tangs. I believe he has three in his 240 gallon reef tank.

That being said, there are three genuses that generally get along well because they don't compete for the same food source. The three genuses are:

1. Zebrasoma
2. Acanthurus
3. Ctenochaetus

I have experience with three species, one from each genus that get along well together as they are some of the more peaceful tangs. They are the Sailfin (Zebrasoma veliferum), Convict (Acanthurus triostegus), and Yellow Eyed Kole (Ctenochaetus strigosus) tangs and all are very efficient macro algae eaters. The Sailfin and Convict are very good macroalgaevores and the Yellow Eyed Kole is expert at cleaning green and brown PITA algae from the glass and rocks.


There are several species from each of these genuses that can be mixed and matched. Remember that these are generalities and that each fish is different and may become aggressive if it feels it's territory is being encroached. Some individual fish just have bad dispositions and are not good tank mates.

It is my experience that it is best to add mutiple tangs, odd numbers are better, as young juveniles of the same size. In this way they are not predisposed to aggressive or territorial behavior, and they get to grow up together and gain a familiarity that leads to less potential conflicts.

It is critical that you are responsible and provide tangs with the appropriate swim room. You have to realize that a 240 gallon tank does not duplicate the swim territory of a sinlge tang in the wild so we are really providing the minimum.

How big do most tangs in the three genuses mentioned above get?

I will list the adult size of tangs from each of the genuses, not all have the same dispostion:

Acanthurus

Convict (Acanthurus triostegus), 10"
Orangeshoulder Tang (Acanthurus olivaceous), 14"
Powder Blue Tang (Acanthurus leucosternon), 9"
Whitecheek Tang (Acanthurus nigricans), 8"
Blue Caribbean Tang (Acanthurus coeruleus), 9"
Clown Tang (Acanthurus lineatus), 15" (Mean as snakes per mojoreef)
Lieutenant Tang (Acanthurus tennenti), 10"
Lemon Tang (Acanthurus sp.), 10"
Lavender Tang (Acanthurus nigrofuscus), 8"

Paracanthurus (A sub species of Acanthurus)

Blue or Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus), 12"

Ctenochaetus

Yellow Eyed Kole (Ctenochaetus strigosus), 7"
Bristletooth Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis), 7"
Chevron Tang (Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis), 11"

Zebrasoma

Sailfin (Zebrasoma veliferum), 15"
Black Longnose Tang (Zebrasoma rostratum), 10"
Yellow Hawaiian Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), 8"
Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum), 10"

Happy Reefing!
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[dfurbee]

Thanks for the article, very informative.