Clown Tang

jbird0420

Member
I had no luck, but some people have. They need a lot of oxygen in the water. I had him in a 225 FOWLR, but I have my tank stocked so that may have been the reason why it did not work for me. Try it, never know unless you try!
 

kjr_trig

Active Member
I would tend to say a 125 would be too small for one long term. There are a lot of beutiful Acanthurus Tangs more suitable to a 125 with far better survival records. Mimic, Atlantic Blue, Powder Brown, Tennant would be examples of better suited Tangs in a 125 IMO.
 
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nereef

Guest
the ones i have been around just don't make it, for some reason. maybe it's a poor comparison between a clown tang and a morish idol, but they die similarly. even if they eat, they just don't make it in my experience. at a max length that is smaller than many other tangs, i don't think it would outgrow a 125. they are supposed to be aggressive as a adults though.
 

kevin34

Active Member
Thanks for the info everyone. Do they end up dieing due to a disease or do they just die? I think I will stick to a lieutenant tang though.
 

rad

Member
the small juveniles dont fare too well. Ive seen two go down recently, there really hard to get to eat. Id recommend getting a larger one if you can, I would just try to add him last.
 

jbird0420

Member
The one I bought did not die of disease. He just died after 4 days. I could not get him to eat at all, even with garlic. I would go with a Naso or Vlamingi, very personable fish.
 

mr_x

Active Member
i had mine for over a year. i got rid of him because he was nasty to the other fish. i never knew they were hard to keep. i don't buy that they need more oxygen than other fish though. that doesn't make a bit of sense to me.
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Clown tangs come from very shallow, very rocky, and extremely turbulent areas of the shoreline. I believe sea water only has a certain 'natural' oxygen saturation level. But the by-product of have very high flow rates in your tank, this causes what seems like 'highly oxygenated water.'
Their location causes two main problems for the aquarist. First, because of the rough water, they are extremely active and need monster tanks with a monster turnover rate. Second their location makes it difficult and dangerous to collect them. Thus, IMO, is the main reason some of these guys fail in captivity, cyanide collection. This also IMO, explains how some doing very well, (obviously not EVERYone is collection though cyanide) and some dying quickly or linger on for a bit, then die.
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by Jbird0420
http:///forum/post/2704008
I would go with a Naso or Vlamingi, very personable fish.
If you don't plan on upgrading or returning the fish, I wouldn't. The Naso will outgrow a 125 in about a year, year and a half depending on purchase size (of course there are plently already too big for a 125) and the Vlamingi will be fairly quicker growing.
KJR, hit the nail on the head for good (IMO) 125gal tangs.
 

mr_x

Active Member
so, are you saying that they are psyically different than other tangs, or are they used to a certain type of habitat?
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2704039
so, are you saying that they are psyically different than other tangs, or are they used to a certain type of habitat?
A bit of both. If you study the Acanthurus
genus, you'll see there are really 3 types; the monsters, the Dussumieri, Bariene, Mata, etc. The 'hot-rods" the Sohals, Clowns, Pale-lipped (white spine), and then the regulars, the Chocolate, the Powders, the Convicts, etc.
These "hot-rods" are really the dragsters of the group. There was video on youtube I used to share that had a Sohal in a 150, that spooked. Let's just say he made it look like a 29gal. Its a 4 second clip and he spined his reflection (what spooked him) about 5 times after looping completely around the tank.
If you try and house a large one, I can see him becoming quite unhappy in a little 125.
 

kevin34

Active Member
thanks for all the info. I do plan on getting a lieutenant tang one day. What tang would get along with it? I really like the powder blue but I know they can be on the aggressive side too. Should I add the powder blue after the tennant? my full stocklist would look something like this (i have no fish yet this is just the wishlist) *= not sure about yet
tiger jawfish
2 true percs
copperband butterfly
bicolor angel
flasher wrasse
midas blenny
sand sifting goby*
pair of zebra dartfish*
then the 2 tangs (tennant and powder blue)
 

aquaknight

Active Member
My initial reply, would be to recommend something else then two Acanthurus tangs in a 125. Instead, either something from the Zebrasoma tangs or a Tomini/Kole.
If you have QT's setup, (strongly recommend with tangs, regardless) this might improve your chances if you want to try two Acan. Tangs. Just QT them separate, then add to your display at the same time.
 

kjr_trig

Active Member
Originally Posted by NEreef
http:///forum/post/2703967
at a max length that is smaller than many other tangs, i don't think it would outgrow a 125.
Sorry, I gotta call you on that one, there is a huge difference IMO between Acanthurus and other genus. Any Acanthurus Tang is going to be a huge swimmer, just devouring tank space. I would put a Naso or Sailfin in a 125 before a Clown Tang (which does get to 15 inchs just like his "half brother" the Sohal).
 

pastor b.

Member
Dear hobbyist ,I have had my Clown Tang for almost 4 years . When I brought it ,the CT was 2" ,now ,my CT is close to 7", and is doing quite well in my 150 gallon aquarium . If your going to purchase a CT ,you should know that as they mature , they become aggressive . Clown Tangs add color to any aquarium and are fun to watch . Mine shares the tank with 3 other tangs which include: A Yellow Tang , a Hippo Tang , and a Blond Naso .By the way , I also have a Queen angelfish among them who keeps everyone in line
. Since the clown tang is an herbivore,It must be fed sea weed or spiralina daily in order to maintain its color . Mine even eats marine cuisine ,and hilkari pellets soaked in vita chem
. I'm enjoying the hobby
.
 
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nereef

Guest
Originally Posted by kjr_trig
http:///forum/post/2704097
Sorry, I gotta call you on that one, there is a huge difference IMO between Acanthurus and other genus. Any Acanthurus Tang is going to be a huge swimmer, just devouring tank space. I would put a Naso or Sailfin in a 125 before a Clown Tang (which does get to 15 inchs just like his "half brother" the Sohal).
fishbase lists the clown and sohol, as you say, at 38 and 40 cm (15"). we're talking 10-12" in a 6 foot aquarium. a powder blue, as an example is listed at 54cm (21 1/4"). "the" naso is listed at 46cm (18"). desjardin and veliferum get to 16" and much taller. swimming space aside (which we would both agree is the reason most tangs need large tanks), a clown tang doesn't get as large in the wild as many other common tangs we keep in the hoby. imo with aggressiveness and hardiness aside, i would be much more likely to put a clown or a sohal in a 125 than a naso. i do hear where you are coming from, however. and your opinion is valid, imo.
 

kevin34

Active Member
Originally Posted by NEreef
http:///forum/post/2704529
fishbase lists the clown and sohol, as you say, at 38 and 40 cm (15"). we're talking 10-12" in a 6 foot aquarium. a powder blue, as an example is listed at 54cm (21 1/4"). "the" naso is listed at 46cm (18"). desjardin and veliferum get to 16" and much taller. swimming space aside (which we would both agree is the reason most tangs need large tanks), a clown tang doesn't get as large in the wild as many other common tangs we keep in the hoby. imo with aggressiveness and hardiness aside, i would be much more likely to put a clown or a sohal in a 125 than a naso. i do hear where you are coming from, however. and your opinion is valid, imo.
powder blues get to be over 20 inches?!
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by NEreef
http:///forum/post/2704761
fishbase says 54cm. i was suprised too. it could be a mistake or a typo.
Well, the nearly identical Japonicus and Nigricans
(save for coloring), both reach 21cm. Likely the developer smashed the wrong line on the num pad (5, 4, instead of 2, 1). Fishbase contacted.
 
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