[Meric]

I am trying to work out my tank stock before I start to see what I can or cannot put in the tank. My wife wants a Zebrasoma flavescens, so I pretty much have to buy it for her However I would like to get either a Acanthurus achilles or Acanthurus nigricans.

I have a 125G 72X18X22 tank. Is it possible to have a Z. Flavescens with either of those other tangs. If it is possible what order should they be added or should they be added at the same time?

The literuture say all these tangs come from Hawaii and they all stay small for a Tang anyway.

[Ninong]

You might want to read what Robert Fenner has to say about Acanthurus achilles and A. nigricans: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tangshi.htm and http://www.wetwebmedia.com/badacanthurusaq.htm He recommends against keeping either of these two species because he considers them too difficult for a variety of reasons including aggression, diet and natural environmental conditions that cannot be duplicated.

IMO you would be much safer going with only one tang in a 125-gal tank and Zebrasoma flavescens would be a good choice.

There are other things to consider besides the adult size of the fish you are considering. Lets look at A. nigricans for example. It is usually found in reef areas exposed to very strong current or along rocky coastlines. It is a very aggressive fish which vehemently defends its territory against other herbivores (Randall, 1990). Successful captive care of this species requires a large swimming space with strong currents for the fish to swim against. It requires a lot of plant material in its diet and it is sometimes difficult to get it to adapt to captive foods.

[Minh Nguyen]

Consider an A. japonicus. They looks beter than a A. nigricans, and easier to keep too.

[Meric]

I think I will just stick to the one Zebrasoma flavescens. I will probally add either a Centropyge species (hadn't decided on which one yet) or a Genicanthus melanospilus. I just wanted a couple of larger fish that swim in the water column. Most of the other fish I like all stay near the bottom of the tank or hide in caves ie: Gobies, Blennies, Dartfish, Basslets etc.