Adding multiple Tangs with existing 15 YO yellow tang

[mvallee]

I am looking to add a few tangs to my 180 mixed reef but have some concerns with my 15 year old yellow tang.
Not sure which tangs exactly but thinking
either Clown, Powder Blue and Naso,
or Powder Blue, Blonde Naso, sailfin and 1 or two small blue hippo's
I would also love to add a purple or chevron but afraid of the similar body types so would appreciate comments on this as well.

My stocking is very light at the moment with a Foxface being the largest fish but I have a problem child a 15 year old yellow tang. I got him from a fellow reefer breaking down a tank and has been in my tank for 6 months, doing great but has shown aggression to the tomini tang and foxface when they were first added for 6-7days so sure new tangs will be targets as well, especially as he has become more established in my tank since they were added

I have a 90 gallon tank to use as QT for the new fish and plan on getting them and QT'ing all at the same time to be added to the DT together,

Here are my questions
- Should I pull the yellow and have him QT with the rest once I feel comfortable they are disease free and put them all in the DT at the same time.
- Should I pull the yellow and isolate him in a 29 gallon I have for say a couple weeks before adding the others and add them all at the same time
- Leave the yellow in the DT and the fact that I am adding multiple new fish of different body types at the same time most likely be enough to minimize aggression.

I do realize a couple of my choices will outgrow my tank so not going in blind to my choices and will deal with that when the time comes (hopefully a couple years) with either rehoming or larger tank.
Thoughts?????? suggestions?????

 

[reefstarter]

I have not tried this , but from what I have been told option b is probably your best bet . But don't take my word on this get other opinions

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I would modify option B - pull the yellow tang out when you add the others, then put back after several weeks (let the newbies establish territories while the king is out). It would also be ideal to rearrange a little if you can, so the yellow has new fish and new boundaries when he is added back. Also lets you put the yellow in the 90g rather than a 29g for most of the time he is out of the DT.

It may be a good idea to avoid the clown tang - I just think it's asking for trouble to have such a potentially aggressive tang with that many other tangs.

 

[mvallee]

thanks for the opinion on the clown tang,, I had not read that but will research again and look for an alternative that is colorful, of similar shape and not so aggressive

I like the spin on the pulling of the yellow just before adding the others and putting him in the 90. had not thought of that and would be a better temporary home, I have to rescape anyways so would be a good time to capture him and some lyretail hawks I have that are doing nothing for me in the tank other than making it so I can not add any small fish.

 

[dannyp02908]

Yellow tang will be a bully if he has been in that long no matter what you put in for other tangs. Clown tangs are known to be aggressive. Most say to add multiple tangs at the same time. So I agree with pulling the yellow for a bit and maybe change your rock scape while at it.

 

[mvallee]

One step closer, 90 gallon QT setup, penguin Bio-wheel 200 with seeded biowheel from the DT and large Sponge filter that has been in my main sump for months with two Koralia 1400 power heads.

Now I just need to figure out what fish to add. was hoping for more color with the yellow a Purple would have been awesome but not going to try that, I am thinking Blonde Naso, Regal Blue. Still thinking Powder Blue but the more I read the less I am sure and maybe a Sailfin Tang Desjardini. Suggestions on colorful tangs that would fit in with what I am looking to add? I am also thinking about maybe forgetting one of the tangs for a male banana or checkerboard wrasse.

 

[mvallee]

New fish added. Pair of green bird wrasses, lieutenant tang and blue hippo so a bit of a deviation from original plans but in a good way. I saw the pair of green birds, always wanted one because of how active and unique looking and decided to go for it. The lieutenant was not on my list but was talked out of the ich magnet powder blue and have always wanted something like the lieutenant tang for it's shape and size and adults are beautiful so a good add.
Here is a quick vid of them. These guys have been in the QT tank for about 18 hours and look at them eat flakes, totally psyched everyone is so healthy.
[video=youtube_share;t2VuMtesZo4]http://youtu.be/t2VuMtesZo4[/video]

Seems like I am slowly switching course back to more of a FOWLR tank with the fish I enjoy as these wrasses are considered not reef safe but not because they munch corals but rather the CUC but still not full blown FOWLR yet, still resisting the urge to get a Dog face puffer but am seriously considering a niger trigger at some point.

Yes those are live rocks in my QT.I had some extra rocks in my sump and as long as I do not need to medicate I like having something natural in there for them, The tangs and the birds gravitate towards and pick at them a lot so guessing they are helping to make them comfortable. Praying no Ich and not sure I will treat tank for things I can not see but am thinking a round of Prazi would be in order at some point while they are in here. If something comes up I have no problem pulling them and re-curing for later use.

 

[twiddledog]

I can tell you my experiences with adding tangs.
I had a Yellow and a Clown together and all was fine in a 72 gal. I upgraded to a 180. In the 180 I added a Powder Blue and the Yellow and Clown picked on him alot. So I took BOTH the Clown and a Yellow out for a few days to let the Powder Blue relax. Then I put both tangs back in and all was fine for a few years. Recently my Powder Blue started harassing the Clown which the Clown became a little aggressive back. Nothing bad just chasing each other. I recently sold the clown and I am noticing that my Powder Blue is slowly starting to chase the Yellow Tang a little. He's the bully!

In the middle of all this I added a tiny Blue Hippo and nobody has bothered him at all..probably cuz he was so small. He is now about 3" and still fine.

 

[mvallee]

Thanks, I have crossed Clown and Powder blue off my list of Tangs I want, most I have heard/read about both is not good, Powder blue seems to make a nervous tank because of their constant movement and bullying and nervous unhappy fish are more susceptible to sickness and parasite and the clown usually gets mean as they get older and I like a more peaceful tank. They will still be my want to have fish and I have seen my share of beautiful tanks with them in them but usually much bigger than my 180.