Adding tangs

[AlexKilpatrick]

I have a 180 that currently holds a powder-blue tang and a couple of chromis. The PBT has been in there about 6 months and is doing great. The tank has been set up about 8 months.

I would like to add some more tangs. I'm pretty flexible on species. I'm hoping some of the tang experts can help me out here:

1) Would it be best to add a bunch (say 3 or 4) tangs at once? Or one at a time?
2) Are there any particular types of tangs that go well with a PBT?
3) Can I add another PBT, or would that cause problems?
<and an unrelated question>
4) Why does my PBT attack my sally lightfoot crab whenever it is out?

Thanks for your help.

[::pete::]

It is extremely aggressive towards other Tangs or Surgeonfish, especially those similar in form and color, and should be the only one in the tank except in very large systems: introduce all at once if more than one is to be maintained in the same aquarium.


The above is for the powder blue and should answer all the above questions ...

Your best bet would be to add the rest together.

[witecap4u]

I agree with Pete, and it would be best if they were all the same type, like add 4 yellows or something, so they all look the same to the PBT, that way he wont go after 1 certain fish all the time....

cs

[Reef69]

I personally wouldnt add anything with a powder blue in there..They are ick magnets and like all tangs somewhat territorial..

[jaded]

Many people have success with multiple types of tangs in a tank of your size but its not something I recommend. I currently have 2 hippos & 1 yellow in a 135 that get along great, but thats only after I (with a great feeling of loss) sold my purple tang. After taking the big bully out the rest seem to be completely content to swim and eat.

The PBT is a delicate fish and probably wouldnt have survived what my yellow and hippos went through. Of course its your call, but if you do decide to add more I'd stay away from another PBT and I'd add all the additions at the same time.

my 2¢

[weizer896]

We currently have 4yellow..1 bluemouth..1 yelloweye that are doing great...but we added 3yellow at once since we already had 1 in there.

[scuba_steveo]

I added all my tangs at the same time
3 - Yellow
1 - Purple
1 - Powder Blue
1 - Powder Brown
1 - Red Sea Sailfin
2 - Blue Hippo
1 - Achillies
I think there are more that I cannot remember, maybe not.......lol

And all are doing great a year later. I think you really need to add all at once or it is a risk. It's a risk no matter what but more of a risk if one is in there established. Can you remove the PBT, keep him out for a week or two, and then add him back in with the others?

[Sherri]

I have 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Hippo Tang & 1 Naso Tang....no probs.

[NaCl_H2O]

I have multiple Tangs in all my tanks, you need excellent water quality and filtration, a UV or Ozone generator help the ich situation, and a good deal of patience.

Above all else GET HEALTHY FISH THAT ARE ALREADY EATING. Find a LFS you trust and ask them how long they have had the Tangs, and are they eating. Don't buy one they haven't had established & eating for at least a week, maybe 2-3.

In my 215 I have PBT, Clown, Yellow, Naso
In my 140 I have PB(rown)T, Sailfin, Hippo, Yellow

Now to your questions:
1) Would it be best to add a bunch (say 3 or 4) tangs at once?
Add at least two at a time, so the PBT won;t concentrate on only one

2) Are there any particular types of tangs that go well with a PBT?
Dead ones! Th PBT WILL bully any other Tang, but they will give up in 3-4 days

3) Can I add another PBT, or would that cause problems?
NO - One will not survive, maybe both

4) Why does my PBT attack my sally lightfoot crab whenever it is out?
Probably cuz there are no Tangs to pick on!

My wife HATES my PBT (tank bully)
My PBT is by far my favorite Tang - Gorgeous, with an attitude (kinda like my wife ;) )

[AlexKilpatrick]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I added 4 yellow tangs today, and it worked well. The PBT initally come up to one and started to mess with him. Then, three immediately came up behind the first one. It was almost comical. The PBT backed down and is now ignoring them all.

There seems to be a little "jockying for position" among the yellows, but all seems relatively peaceful. The yellows are already picking at the rocks, so I am optimisitic.

[Dozer]

sounds cool, would love to hear how it turns out Alex. I have a somewhat dominant yellow right now and I would like to add another Tang of some kind but am gunshy about upsetting a fairly peaceful habitat right now. I like how you added multiple numbers at once. Maybe I'll consider adding 2 tangs to the mix instead of one if I do end up wanting to add more. I'm interested to hear how all 5 ultimately get along.

[LoneStar]

Ok I'm looking to get a tang for my tank. If you could choose just one, what kinda tang would you get?

[AlexKilpatrick]

It has been interesting watching them so far. There are three that hang around together all the time, and one that kind of sulks in a corner. The large yellow is dominant, and when he sees one of the other ones picking at a rock, he will nudge it over and take the place. The subservient one simply moves over a couple of inches and then they just sit there eating together. It doesn't seem to be a hostile, attacking kind of thing. All the tangs seem to know their place and are comfortable with it (except maybe the sulky one)

The PBT and the yellows completely ignore each other. I think one thing that helps is that the PBT is about the same size as the yellows. I actually ordered small yellows, but these are bigger than I expected.

I'll keep updating the thread as the social dynamics change.

[Sherri]

Does anyone have a Naso Tang? I love mine - he has so much personality. Was wondering how others feel about theirs? Of course, my Yellow Tang surfs in the currents...too funny.