tang shopping

[Yvonne]

We are considering buying a tang to help take care of algae maintanance. I have read that tangs will even feed on hair algae- is that true? We have a very peaceful tank-
75 gallon with 2 percula clowns, 5 green chromis, 1 watchman goby, 1 anemone, 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, 1 sandsifting star, 1 serpent star, 1 porcelain anemone crab, and 1 similar crab who is actually green, and a couple handfuls of snails and red and blue legged hemit crabs. Everyone gets along very well. Would it be wise to adda tang to the mix, and if so, which type?

[kevinpo]

I would say a Purple, Yellow, or Scopas tang. They are from the Zebrasoma family of tangs that stay fairly small (7-8"). They don't grow too fast and do eat some hair algae along with other filamentary type algae. It is best to add them as the last fish as they can be territorial over time. Be sure it is eating well before you purchase. A 75 gal tank is the minimum size I recommend for these fish. Be sure to include some dried seaweed in their diet as they are herbivores. They also require excellent water quality.

They should get along very well with your other inhabitants.

Regards,
Kevin

[Yvonne]

Thanks so much for your help.

[leebca]

The Yellow Eye Tang eats more different kinds of algae than any other tang suitable for an aquarium. Fortunately, they are also almost always on the move looking for more to eat.

This doesn't mean that the tang can live on what you're tank will provide. After the obvious algae has been 'mowed' the tang will need supplemental food suitable to its tastes.

[oktober7609]

I have a blonde Naso tang in my system, and he does a great job, as well as being a beautiful (and so far peaceful) fish...

...They do require a large tank though, as this fish can grow in excess of 15"...

-oktober7609

[Yvonne]

I've also been doing some reading and have read that yellow tangs have been known to eat shrimp. Is this true and something that I should be worried about. I really like Stinky, our skunk shrimp, and wouldn't want to put him in the line of impending doom!!!

[klasikb]

My Yellow Tang never even looked at the shrimp unless it wanted to be clean. I would have to second the yellow eyed kohl tang, I've had many tangs and this one was best at eating the algae.

[kevinpo]

I have never seen or heard of a Yellow Tang eating a shrimp even the tiny type. They have a very small mouth which would make it difficult to eat a shrimp except in very small pieces.

Regards,
Kevin

[Big Red]

I have one yellow eyed tang and it is constantly going around the tank looking and eatting algae. I have six tangs and this is the one I would recommend for that job.

[64Ivy]

I've had pretty good luck with my Chevron Tang when it comes to algae control. Gorgeous when young, they are generally peaceable and don't grow much larger than Yellow Tangs. Their only real knock is an asthetic one: They lose their color as they mature. But personally, I like the handsome adult coloration. I've had mine well over six years now.

[aquaman3680]

Go with a kole tang they stay the smallest and are one of the least agressive. I have a purple and he has almost killed several fish would advise against it. IMHO i would get a kole tang

[sihaya]

My kole tang just died a few days ago. It was such a wonderful fish. I've been so sad over losing it. And the worst part is, it was so sudden. I have no idea what happened. He was swimming and eating... no discoloration or odd behavior. Then within an hour he was dead. So weird!

Anyway... I do think they're pretty cool tangs. Beware though, they like to pick up sand a lot. And they don't much care where they drop it. lol

[lobophyllia]

i have a kole tang now and he eats every kind of algea. he even eats my cyanobacteria. yellow and purple tangs can get pretty agressive and scopas tangs in my opinion are kind of ugly. hehe my lfs doesnt even sell them because they think theyre too ugly.

[leebca]

Sorry for your loss, siahya. I'm very fond of my tangs, too.

You might want to read this long post for insights on why the fish may have suddenly died:
Stress (and the Single Marine Fish)

It's a long read but may explain some things.

It was found that tangs need 'sand' or 'substrate' to help them digest plants. Sort of like a parrot 'eats' gravel to put into its crop for grinding up seed hearts. The tangs will ingest small pieces of substrate to help them grind up their green foods. Yours may have been 'feeling them out' to see if they were the right size bit -- swallowing those that were and dropping those that weren't!

[bkelley02]

What about a Tomini Tang as an option to the Kole Tang? Beautiful fish and doesn't grow very large either. I'd post a pic of mine but it wouldn't do it justice as I can't get the white balance correct. The fin edges almost glow.

[Yvonne]

I've really messed up! I wanted a kole tang based on the first handful of people who have replied to my first thread, but I've never seen one at my pet store. I ALWAYS see Yellow tangs though. The nearest pet store that might have a kole is about 2 hours away, and I don't trust them as much. So I just settled for the yellow tang. Now I keep getting all of your messages about the kole tang and think I've made a mistake. Especially because our yellow tang so far doesn't seem to be eating much of anything! He is also pretty skittish. Is this normal since we only got him on Friday. Should he start eating more algea as he becomes more acclimated or is he just a dud? He is beautiful though! I guess it would be a BAD idea to try to get the kole as well seeing that I have only a 75 gallon tank. Oh well, live and learn!

[sihaya]

Sorry for your loss, siahya. I'm very fond of my tangs, too.

You might want to read this long post for insights on why the fish may have suddenly died:
Stress (and the Single Marine Fish)

Thanks... that's a great link. Still though, I don't think it was stress from any of the usual sources. I had recently tested my water and everything seemed fine. No sudden changes that I'm aware of either... it was really weird. I do have a small maroon clown fish, but I never saw them "fighting" really. The clown would chase the kohl only if it got really close to its host-coral. But there was never much of a chase even. If anything, the kohl seemed to pester the clown more often than vice versa.

I think maybe it was something from when he was collected that just took a long time to finally be the end of him. Who knows though?