[bguile]

I am in the process of upgrading my 12g Nano to a 90g reef tank. I am about 3 - 4 weeks (6max) away from having it setup and ready for livestock. The other day, I was in my LFS and saw a baby blue tang (no bigger than a quarter) that I want for my new tank. I want to raise all my fish from that small. I want to get him before anyone else does. The question is...do you guys think that he would be ok in my 12g with 2 2" clowns for a couple weeks? I want to get him badly b/c I've never seen them come in that small, but at the same time I don't want to be selfish and cruel. You guys let me know what you think. I'll hold off until I get enough feedback. Also, do you guys know of any good books that gives a lot of info on different species of fish? I'm comprising the list of livestock that I want and this blue tang is one of them. Thanks again all.

[fishguy_8]

I say hold off. Ask the lfs owner if he'll hold him for you tell him the situation and he might be willing to hang onto him and let him know youll be looking to buy more fish of that size off of him and if he thinks he's going to get a repeat customer out of it odds are he's going to at least give you some consideration other wise he may lose your business. I dont know if he'd be willing to hold it for that long but it can buy you some time at least.

[James]

If you plan to get a blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus), I would suggest you get one that would be one of the larger fish in your tank. Blue tangs are timid fish and are easily bullied.

As for your 12gal nano tank, these weren't really designed for salt water use. After the movie Nemo came out alot of stores began selling nanos and telling people that these were suffient to sustain a clown fish, ocellaris anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris), they are not. Glad to hear your upgrading.

A couple of books that I would suggest getting are:

A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes by Scott Michael

and

Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes

[Poseidon]

One other thing to consider, if your clowns have been in that tank for any period of time, chances are they will kick the crap outta ANY new fish you put in there. Also in my experience baby blue tangs do not seem to do as well as larger specimens. (read THEY DIE.) I worked at a LFS when I was 18-20 and they always were sell fast before they die type fish!

[kevinpo]

They are available almost every week on the list so don't think they are hard to get.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: I agree hold off until you have the proper environment.

[bguile]

Thanks all. I'll hold off until my new system is setup.

kevinpo: what list?

[kevinpo]

The wholesale price lists LFS get faxed every Sunday night.

Regards,
Kevin