Yellow Tang and Red Sea Purple Tang together???

[Saltwater Taffy]

Hi,

I have a Yellow Tang in my tank since this past Friday and will have a Red Sea Purple Tang delivered on Tuesday this coming week. I was told by my LFS that if the Yellow was in the tank with out the Purple for more than 1 week i'd more than likely have problems...but that if I put the Purple in before a week had passed everything should go ok. I'm sure the Purple tang will be a bit smaller than the Yellow as I have ordered a small one. The largest "small" is no bigger than 2.5 inches. My Yellow is atleast 3 inches. What input do you guys have? I checked a compatablity chart and it said use caution, however; I have read from others that have had both fish that as long as they Purple went in after the Yellow everything would be ok. Somone went as far as to tell that they had done the Purple first and the Yellow second and had nothing but problems.....

CR

[steve1s]

Quite honestly I think you are already pushing the limit with the yellow tang. A 55g is not a very good size for tangs, 75 or larger is prefered. If possible I highly recommend you cancel the purple tang order. You are heading for disaster... I would also re-think the yellow :D

Cheers
Steve

[Saltwater Taffy]

Hey Steve,

the tangs I have are both no more than 3 inches. I planned on getting atleast a 75 or 90 soon just to have another tank (all the more reason to do so now). So the Tangs will end up going in there. I was reading that tangs can get up to 10 inches, seems like even a 75 or 90 would be too small. By the way the purple and yellow tang get along fine, they constantly swim together...

:D CR

[michealprater]

The sooner you can get a larger tank the better. I personally would recommend at least 150 gallons with those two tangs.

[Irisservice]

I had both in my 90 gallon FO tank a couple years ago. I added the purple Tang second and it was smaller than the yellow tang.

[Saltwater Taffy]

As much as I have read on Tangs, I haven't come across any information at the rate they grow i.e. slow, moderate, high growth rate in terms of a specific time. Any ideas?

[steve1s]

You will find that most tangs from the Zebrasoma sp. will get anywhere from 7-10" in length with the Purple becoming the larger of the two you have.

Tangs will commonly grow quite quickly for the first few years and get to around half their adult size rapidly. After that they will grow quite slowly and can take up to 6 or 7 years to reach their max size. It does not always happen in the home aquarium, but should still be planned for.

2x3" tangs in a 55 will not stay happy for very long so I urge you to get the new tank going as soon as possible, don't forget you need additional cycle time even if you seed it with much of the tank you have now. As mentioned above a larger tank would be your best bet. After a few years, you will need to upgrade again, so why not do that now? 8)

Cheers
Steve

[Saltwater Taffy]

what is a good size tank for two tangs to grow into...i've read at least 75, or was that for one tang?

[steve1s]

75g= 1 tang. That is the general rule. It's not just the one fish you need to consider. The possibility of rock and equipment being placed in the tank along with substrate, greatly reduce the total area of the tank. Not to mention other fish that will be added.

Tangs are constant swimmers and grazers and with insufficient room , will not really live a healthy life.. :D

HTH
Cheers
Steve

[Saltwater Taffy]

Steve, so atleast 150 for two Tangs?

[steve1s]

That's the ticket... 8)

Cheers
Steve