Hello all, quick question about compatibility. I'm looking to purchase and quite large Sail-fin from my LFS. It's about 11"-12" long and about twice as big as all of my other tangs. The other tangs that I have are:
Chevron Tang
Pacific Blue
Vlamingi Tang
Other Fish:
Blue Throat Trigger
6 Line Wrasse
Yellow Wrasse
Golden Headed Sleeper Goby
2- Clowns
So on to my question, I wanted to make sure adding this much larger Tang will not affect the other Tangs and/or other fish. The Sail-fin is quite calm and has a very mild temperament. So I'm thinking it should be ok. The size is a big concern of mine though, my Chevron is the biggest current fish and its only about 5"-6".
Thanks in advance for thoughts & comments.
Edit: My tank size is 125g
Last edited by sarno; 04-04-2007 at 03:53 PM.
Reason: Added size
Personally, I think you are asking for trouble. You don't mention your experience level, water parameters, how long the tank has been up and running, the filtration system you employ. I would want to know these things and possibly some others after you answer those questions.
One of the sins we aquarists commit is, when things are going good we keep adding one more fish and one more fish and, well you get the idea. All too soon we add the fish that causes a meltdown of the system and we lose a few things. After the fact, we are not only sorry, we are out a lot of money and soon seeking replacements.
You have a lot of nice fish, enjoy them in their healthy condition. Like I said personally I would not add that large tang as it will be your fourth tang and they are notoriously territorial. The three you have are relatively small and getting along. I'd recommend leaving well enough alone.
With 60 years experience in the hobby, that's my 2 cents worth.
Dick
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Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
my comments are along the same lines. tangs are messy fish, and you already have alot. a foot long sailfin is a huge fish, and may even need more space than your 125 can offer not to mention the huge bio load increase it will add..
i would carefully consider your actions based on current filtration, skills, and stuff Amphibious mentioned...
the addition of this fish may not be a great idea, but thats just my opinion
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Thanks for all the great advice and info. I took your advice and decided not to get the Sailfin. I am however now considering a much smaller lieutenant tang as an addition. Any thoughts? Everything I have read says that everyone should be ok.
Thanks again for the GREAT help, I love this site!
A tank full of Tangs is certainly a beautiful sight. You already have three Tangs in your 125 along with various other fish and I assume cleaner crew and other inverts. Adding a fourth Tang, Acanthurus tennenti, could be like throwing gas on a fire with intentions of putting it out. Acanthurus tangs are notorious for challenging and acting aggressively toward other Tangs. One day you will learn the hard way that just because you are having success with the three Tangs in residence now adding one more may be the Tang that breaks the calm and you lose some of your precious Tangs.
Right now, your Tangs seem to have reached a balance or tolerance of each other. You have pushed your luck and, at this point, won a victory. How fleeting a victory can be when you take one more gamble. Ask any gambler.
It is my opinion your tank is at capacity for Tangs and I recommend you think about the possible consequences before you add a fourth.
Just my take on things.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Thanks again for your insightful comments. I can only hope to obtain a portion of the knowledge you have someday, I try to read all of your posts! The beauty of this hobby is that you learn more and more everyday, I love it! I truly LOVE tangs and might someday take the gamble of adding a fourth. I think my focus will now shift to Corals though. Have had some very good success with some Acro's and other soft corals, all seem to be doing very well and growing like weeds. My tank is almost completely purple with Coraline so I know I got something going right.
Thanks again for your insightful comments. I can only hope to obtain a portion of the knowledge you have someday,......
Thanks again for the GREAT help!
Jamie
You already have Jamie. Thanks for the compliment!
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
A tank full of Tangs is certainly a beautiful sight. You already have three Tangs in your 125 along with various other fish and I assume cleaner crew and other inverts. Adding a fourth Tang, Acanthurus tennenti, could be like throwing gas on a fire with intentions of putting it out. Acanthurus tangs are notorious for challenging and acting aggressively toward other Tangs. One day you will learn the hard way that just because you are having success with the three Tangs in residence now adding one more may be the Tang that breaks the calm and you lose some of your precious Tangs.
Right now, your Tangs seem to have reached a balance or tolerance of each other. You have pushed your luck and, at this point, won a victory. How fleeting a victory can be when you take one more gamble. Ask any gambler.
It is my opinion your tank is at capacity for Tangs and I recommend you think about the possible consequences before you add a fourth.
Just my take on things.
Dick
Excellent advice, Amp!
Tangs are very high strung have incredible metabolisms. The key to keeping multiple tangs is to ensure that there is enough swimming and grazing room. Sometimes when the balance of fish seems to be working out, the best idea is to let be. Sometimes by adding that last tang will cause a rift that will not only ensure the demise of the new specimen, but also cause the current population to abandon feeding and spend their time and enery to re-establishing an hierarchy.
Thanks, Wally! Good to have your insightful thoughts back on TR.
Great additional info, too.
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Once I started adding fish, I always tried to never add a larger or more agressive one than what I had. Fish of similar size etc. tend to be territorial. Have you thought about a Regal Tang. They are some of the more peaceful ones.
I'm gonna buck the general consensus on this one...I KNOW what the textbooks say....BUT, I have 6 Zebrasomas Tangs in my 180....a Black, a Sailfin, a Scopas Hybrid, a Purple a medium Yellow and a HUGE Yellow.....they all get along GREAT! The Sailfin will be the only Zebrasomas species and the largest....NO PROBLEM! If you decide NOT to...sell him to me!
At one time I have had a hippo, a powder blue, a naso and an achilles, all in a 75 g. tank! This was obviously years ago before I knew any better. The amazing thing is that they all got along fine, and were healthy and prospered. Sometimes the gods smile on fools
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The beauty of this hobby is that you learn more and more everyday, I love it! I truly LOVE tangs and might someday take the gamble of adding a fourth. I think my focus will now shift to Corals though. Have had some very good success with some 
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