Adding fish

[rico0368]

OK, I've had my 1st phase of fish in my tank for about 1 1/2 weeks now.
2 tank raised clowns
2 cleaner shrimp
8 crabs (red/blue leg).
I have a 45g FOWLR
I am interested in getting a blue hippo and yellow-tang. How long should I wait to get them into my tank? I just don't want to introduce too much too quickly.

 

[sk8shorty01]

If I were you I would look into other options as neither one of those fish is really suited for a tank of your size. Tangs are naturally open water swimmers so they need a long tank in order to remain stress free. They also get quite large, as a full grown blue hippo will reach sizes in excess of 12 inches (which means the fish would be about a third of the length of the tank). I would explore other options if I were you, but if you are dead set on getting those two fish I would wait a month in between each fish purchase.
I would also strongly suggest a QT tank as tangs are known to be ich carriers on most occassions so this would eliminate a lot of trouble later on down the road.

 

[rico0368]

They also get quite large, as a full grown blue hippo will reach sizes in excess of 12 inches (which means the fish would be about a third of the length of the tank).
I was looking at the fish on this site and it said:
Size: 1 - 3 inches
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Pellet, Flake, Greens
Origin: Indian Ocean
Acclimation Time: 4+ hours
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
Coral Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: Yes
Is this not correct?

 

[sepulatian]

You are looking at the size that they are when they are sold. You will not be able to house tangs. They are open water swimmers and decline in health, rapidly, in smaller tanks. They have to have larger tanks.

 

[niskyvaulter]

the 1-3 inches thing is the purchase size. whatever said that tank requirements is sick (sorry if its SWF). IMO, a blue tang shouldn't be in anything smaller than a 100 and a yellow shouldn't be in anything smaller than a 75. sorry, but you can't keep any tangs in there.

 

[kikithemermaid]

Man, some guys at my LFS suggested a blue hippo or yellow tang for my 28 gallon! I couldn't believe it.

 

[rico0368]

This is all very enlightening and I appreciate all the experienced comments. I have not asked my LFS yet, but I do trust them as they have been in business for many years and were highly recommended by several people.
I'm wondering, IYO, what are some nice colorful fish to have in a 46G tank?
I think I will only get a few more as I don't want to over populate it.

 

[mcbdz]

Go through the fish list at the top left. Here are a few I like for my 55g.
royal gramma
B. cardinals
red firefish
sixline wrasse
yellow enginer goby
clown goby
coral beauty dwarf angel or flame.

 

[sk8shorty01]

Here is a couple of fish that I personally like:
Firefish (either purple or red)
Flame Angel
Royal Gramma
Bi-color Pseudochromis
Strawberry basslet
These are just a few colorful fish that would work out well in your system.