School of Yellow Tangs

[MNFishGuy]

Hello

Has anyone kept a school of yellow tangs successfully? What is the minimum number to consider? Should they all be similar in size or is it better to have them be different sizes?

Thanks!

[sober_pollock]

In a 40 gallon tank?????


pollock

[Steve McKay]

Research the Yellow Tang,every source will tell you that you will need at least a 100gal.tank.If you want a school a lot larger than that.

[MNFishGuy]

The tangs would be in a 200 FOWLR, the 40 is a reef I am setting up unrelated to the question... :-)

[leebca]

A group will be okay, but they do fight among themselves. Don't expect the grouping to remain peaceful. Be sure that they are the last fish you add to the system.

[MNFishGuy]

I assume putting them all in at once would be best. That will take some thinking, since I only have two quarantine tanks up and running. Maybe I could put one in, than quarantine two and add them to make three? Does this seem reasonable or do I need to figure out how to quarantine three (or more) at the same time? I could probably figure this out because I have some other tanks I could use if need be. Any thoughts on if I should target a group of the same size or different sizes? Thanks for your advice!

[leebca]

One in, then two more might work okay. They should be small as you can get them, and as close to the same size as you can find. They will work out their pecking order and you'll have to monitor this process to make sure none are injured.

[MNFishGuy]

So here's the million dollar question, would you try it? I don't want to create a stressful environment...

Thanks for all your help!

[leebca]

No, I wouldn't. The YT is an unpredictable fish. But one thing is usually the case -- as they get older, they get meaner. If I had to have any at all, I would only have one and then, it would have to be the last fish I add to my aquarium.

[MNFishGuy]

Good advice, upon further consideration, I think I'm going to head in a different direction...


Thanks!

[Bloodydecks]

Good advice, upon further consideration, I think I'm going to head in a different direction...


Thanks!

I have done it...and I have also regretted it..and i have also had great success...

I also always add them all at the same time. I have found that if i one first, and a few later..the one that was added first will dominate any new additions.

Depending on the size of the tank...I would add no less then three. this way one fish won;t get picked on by the dominant tang. Sailfin tangs are the worse IMO. Mean as heck..and will one a tank in now time.

Like I said, I have also regretted it...because there is always a pecking order going on, and therefore there is always a stressed out fish, which ends up getting sick or dieing sooner or later,...or I can't add any new fish with out them getting worked over, and nothing is more of a pain then getting a fish out of a full reef tank. I currently have a 130 gal custom tank that has a large sailfin tang that I added about 6 months ago. In the tank, I also had a Cortez angl..that had been n the tank ofr nearly two years. The Fricken Tang harrsed the Angel non stop....and I lost the Angel (the angle was about 10" long) and the tang was about softball size. The Angle was the bully up until I added the Tang.

Also, I always try and add the tangs last.....and the tanks are at least 125 gal. Minimum. Either way, its a gamble. You just have to decide if the role of the dice is worth it.

In my own personal tank, i would do it, but i would add different species of tangs, and all at once..in a clients tanks, I only add yellow tangs.

Also, remember, tangs are very prone to ich. So this adds to the complication...how do you quarantine a school of tangs. Not many people have MULTIPLE quarantine tanks. And almost every tang I see in a pet store shows signs of ich.