Tang "community"

[alfon76]

Hi everyone. I am about to make a decision and figured I would get some opinions from the fellow hobbyists here.
I unfortunately lost my show Black Tang a few months back due to choking. Don't ask me how, but he swallowed a piece of shrimp intended for the moray and immediately choked and died. So I held off getting any other fishes due to the fact he was my favorite in the tank.
Now I found another Black Tang although this one is much smaller at only 4 inches or so (maybe less) but all this time my Powder Blue and Purple tangs have been the kings of the tank. SO I am sure I will run into problems if I add the black tang by himself. So I decided to add a whole bunch of tangs together with the Black Tang to help "dilute" the aggression and hopefully end up with a good community. Will it work? I don't know but I am about to find out. This is what the tank will end up housing in terms of Tangs and you tell me if I am simply insane or if it could work. The tank is 300 gallons, extremely well filtered, good skimmer and about 350 lbs of live rock.
Tang population:
1 Powder Blue (currently in the tank)
3 Purple Tangs (1 current and 2 new)
1 Hippo Tang
1 Black Tang
1 Yellow Tang
1 Gem Tang (this is a big IF, depending on the price my local store can give me as I am not paying $3500 for a fish)
So what do you think? Is it murder? Or is it ok due to how many tangs I am adding? The other inhabitants in the tank are a clown trigger, Broomtail wrasse, Annularis angel, Polleni grouper and Zebra Moray.
Please do not use any insults or anything if you disagree, just state your opinion. I understand this is a risky venture no matter what, but I really want to get my Black Tang and I don't want him shredded by the Purple and Powder Blue. Plus it adds a spalsh of color and life to the tank having a large school of Tangs.
Ivan

 

[robdog696]

I'm kind of speechless... I don't want to say anything mean. I think you realize that this is not only going to overcrowd the tank but stress out all of the tangs. The biggest concern here is three purple tangs. They are EXTREMELY territorial unless you get very lucky. They will more than likely fight. I don't know about "community tang tanks". Maybe you know more than me, so I'm not gonna tell you don't do it.
But to be constructive what I do know is the proper way to introduce a less aggressive fish with a purple tang already established. Simply change your aquascaping when you add the black tang. The purple tang is very easily confused by this. He will think that he's been moved to a new reef and will "re-establish" his territory, giving the black tang a shot at claiming a decent plot of his own. If you create three "high points" in the rockwork the tangs will likely use them as dividers, each fighting for one of the three spaces between two of them.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

 

[kikithemermaid]

I'm trying not to be a member of the "tang police" here but it sounds like murder to me. Definitely not a good idea IMO.

 

[alfon76]

Thanks! Scratching the whole "Tang tank" idea and going fresh by moving all the live rock around.
Ivan

 

[jpa0741]

I defintly think 8 tangs in a 300g tank can be done. You might have to treak your choices a bit, but I think doable for sure. I am still thinking about doing a group of 3 purple in my 240. I don't know if you would want to do 3 purple and a yellow and black. Probaly too many of the same species.

 

[tizzo]

I agree with jpa in the sense that 8 tangs would be OK if added at the same time and of course your filtration is adequate. However... Not so sure I'd do 3 purples. I have a yellow and a purple and for the most part they stay out of each others way. But I looked in my tank at 2 in the morning one night and the purple was swimming radically around the right side. My first thought was worry, then I looked at what was getting him so riled up... his reflection.

I know for a fact the reflection was in the tank sinse day one, yet he still wants to attack it! I have to turn off the moon lights on that side of the tank.
He doesn't go after my yellow, nor my yellow after him, but he does attack what he thinks is another purple.

 

[spiderwoman]

I don't see why 8 Tangs in a tank that size would be over population

I hope you get all of them in the tank in the right order to avoid big fights. Good luck

 

[aquaknight]

8 tangs in a 300 would definitely work IMO. However, those specific tangs and your current livestock would not. All of those Zebrasoma tangs would need simultaneous introduction, would mean enough QT's to support all of them (including removal of the current Purple) and MASSIVE water changes to keep your display's levels in check once they go in. Not to mention having to wait on QT while you find a black tang or Gem tang in your price range, etc.
Personally, I would drop all the tangs, keeping the ones you already have, add another Black tang if you really want another (look for a large one as well), and a larger Acanthurus tang.

 

[alfon76]

Wow guys! Thanks for the replies. I had already given up and was waiting on the Black Tang to finish quarantine to rearrange the rock, but now you have given me new hope. So ok, I will give up on the extra 2 Purple Tangs. How about this then:
-Acanthurus guttatus (Mustard or White spotted)
-Black Tang
-Desjardini Sailfin Tang
-Purple Tang (currently in tank)
-Yellow Tang
-Powder Blue Tang (currently in tank)
-Gem Tang (BIG if)
How does that sound? Still too many Zebrasoma species? If so feel free to post a suggested "community". After all, I am not married to having 8-10 tangs but rather want to add enough fishes that will keep my Black Tang safe while adding nice colors and specimens to the tank. Of course if I do manage to get a Gem tang then I will be really looking to keep him happy and protected.
Ivan

 

[iubasketball23]

I dont see the problem in that lineup!! Although, all those tangs might be alittle terratorial. You should rearrange the rock around. This has always helped me when I add fish that my other fish might be aggressive towards it; take out all your fish, then move the rock around. Just a suggestion, works for me!!!
-tyler