Tang selection for Reef Tank?

[MWSALT]

Wondering what breed of Tang is best suited in a Reef Tank that has soft corals, anenomes, and shrimp. My tank is a 60gal. with 40lbs of LR. Was thinking about purchasing a yellow tang. Any ideas would be appreciated?

 

[BlennyBabe]

Yellow is probably the best for that small of a tank, but he will eventually become cramped and stressed. Its best to get a small one and then upgrade your tank in a few years when he gets too large. Some people have had success with the tiny regal/blue/hippo/dory tangs, the ones that are smaller than a quarter, but most people cant seem to keep them alive until maturity. Good luck with whatever you pick.

 

[mattseattle]

yeah i've stayed away from purchasing a tang due to my tank size. it's a 55 gallon. the yellow ones are so tempting each time i see one but i have to keep reminding myself that i also have to look out for the health and care of these animals. they are just not entirely for my enjoyment.

i would refrain from buying one till you have a larger tank.....and of course this is only my opinion.

 

[MarineDreamer]

Follow up question.

I was thinking about getting a Red Sea Purple Tang, Zebrasoma xanthurus, for my eventual reef tank. The tank is five feet long. But I don’t seem to be able to find too much information about the Z. xanthurus. Anyone have any experience with this one? How about a good source?

Trevor

 

[Ray Pollett]

Follow up question.

I was thinking about getting a Red Sea Purple Tang, Zebrasoma xanthurus, for my eventual reef tank. The tank is five feet long. But I don’t seem to be able to find too much information about the Z. xanthurus. Anyone have any experience with this one? How about a good source?

Trevor

Grows to about 10 inches. Most reccomend a 100 gallon tank. Is a herbivore. Most fiesty of the tangs IMO. If not enough algae will nip at corals.

Ray

 

[WaGuy82]

I've had a red sea purple tang I bought from Flying Fish Express over a year ago and he's doing great in a 75 gallon tank. He's fed Nori, caulerpa prolifera, gracilia, and New Life Spectrum fish food. His tank mates are a flame angel, blue assessor, jawfish, and a pair of ocellaris clownfish.

 

[WaGuy82]

Forgot to add that there's various soft corals in there. Tangs and angels are grazers, so they should be able to graze on food throughout the day, otherwise you might have a problem with nipping.

 

[MarineDreamer]

Sounds like a typical tang, right? I just wanted something different from the Yellow Tang that would do the same job. Oh yeah! And look good doing it!

Trevor

 

[WaGuy82]

Actually I think it's better than a typical tang, much more suitable for home aquaria than a regal tang.

 

[gljjr]

One of my favorite tangs is the Mimic Tang or Chocolate tang. I also have a bristle tooth tang that I really like. It's very similar to a Kole tang,

I think it is a Ctenochaetus striatus but I'm not too sure as when I first got it it looked like a Ctenochaetus tominiensis. Either way it is a neat fish!