Experience w/ Gem & Purple Tang in the same tank?

[nilaydeshmukh]

I have a 130 Gallon tank that is 55"x 26" x 25" (Waterbox 170.4/5). I have a Purple Tang (2 1/2") and a Yellow Belly Blue Hippo (3.5") that get along very well, no aggression. I also had a Flame Fin (Bristletooth Tomini ) that I recently lost due to my own mistake while rearranging the tank (not due to aggression). I am itching to get a Gem Tang to replace the Flame Fin that I lost but not sure if the Purple Tang and Gem Tang will get along. The Purple Tang was never aggressive towards other two tangs or any other fish in the tank but I am not sure if I would be taking a big risk by mixing the two tangs from the same (Zebrasoma) family. The Purple Tang is a gentleman now but not sure if Gem Tang will change his attitude.

Doe anyone have these two tangs together in a comparable size tank? Your experience/advance would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[gobyvin]

Your thinking on it being risky is justified. Body shape/genus is the same. Another nice bristletooth would be safer I bet. Sorry for your loss.

 

[PSU4ME]

It’s always a crap shoot but the laws of Mother Nature are against you with the same “kind” of tang...... purples can be beasts. And for the cost of the gem, it’s a costly test!

 

[this is me]

The purple tang is a “gentleman” because it’s the only zebrasoma in the tank. Add another and it will totally change that.
my advice is to get the Gem, I think it’s a beautiful fish and I’m not sure how much longer their low price offering will last. Remember, Gem tangs can only be collected at one location.
Get an acclimation box and preferably catch and put the purple in the box while the new Gem tang is being settled. If your tank is full of corals and catching fish is not possible then put the Gem in the acclimation box. Not advisable to confine a tang in a box for more than a week.
Or you can do nothing and just add the Gem in the tank. But you really need to keep a close eye on the tangs, feed them well and be prepared for the worst consequences.
People keep yellow tang and purple together all the time. I think it shouldn’t be that bid of a problem.

 

[nilaydeshmukh]

Your thinking on it being risky is justified. Body shape/genus is the same. Another nice bristletooth would be safer I bet. Sorry for your loss.

Thank you! I had the same concerns.

 

[nilaydeshmukh]

It’s always a crap shoot but the laws of Mother Nature are against you with the same “kind” of tang...... purples can be beasts. And for the cost of the gem, it’s a costly test!

Thank you!

 

[nilaydeshmukh]

The purple tang is a “gentleman” because it’s the only zebrasoma in the tank. Add another and it will totally change that.
my advice is to get the Gem, I think it’s a beautiful fish and I’m not sure how much longer their low price offering will last. Remember, Gem tangs can only be collected at one location.
Get an acclimation box and preferably catch and put the purple in the box while the new Gem tang is being settled. If your tank is full of corals and catching fish is not possible then put the Gem in the acclimation box. Not advisable to confine a tang in a box for more than a week.
Or you can do nothing and just add the Gem in the tank. But you really need to keep a close eye on the tangs, feed them well and be prepared for the worst consequences.
People keep yellow tang and purple together all the time. I think it shouldn’t be that bid of a problem.

Thanks Nick! You are the doctor of who taught me how to get Regal acclimated. I enjoyed the Regal for a couple of years but had to sell her when she developed a taste for LPSs.

I recently hit a reset button on my tank and that is when I lost my Flame Fin Tang. You are right about Yellow and Purple tangs that are from the same family, but I have seen them together many times. I could possibly catch my Purple with a trap that I have (which works most of the time). If I do get a new Gem then my first preference should be to keep the Purple in acclimation box for a week and second preference (if I couldn’t catch the Purple) then keep the Gem in box for a week? I was thinking about it as it is a close to $500 gamble than $1000 few months ago.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Terry Martin]

The purple tang is a “gentleman” because it’s the only zebrasoma in the tank. Add another and it will totally change that.
my advice is to get the Gem, I think it’s a beautiful fish and I’m not sure how much longer their low price offering will last. Remember, Gem tangs can only be collected at one location.
Get an acclimation box and preferably catch and put the purple in the box while the new Gem tang is being settled. If your tank is full of corals and catching fish is not possible then put the Gem in the acclimation box. Not advisable to confine a tang in a box for more than a week.
Or you can do nothing and just add the Gem in the tank. But you really need to keep a close eye on the tangs, feed them well and be prepared for the worst consequences.
People keep yellow tang and purple together all the time. I think it shouldn’t be that bid of a problem.

Good advice and I'd underline the feeding aggressively during the adjustment period.

 

[kgstei]

I have a 120 with a 5in yellow tang, a very mellow fish. Lots of Rock plenty of places to hide. I added a smaller purple tang after placing it in an acclimation box for 3 or 4 days, not long enough. The yellow didn't show much aggression to the purple while in the acclimation box. When the purple was released there was a bit of chasing from the yellow for a week or 2, but after that it was mostly the purple going after the yellow and the yellow chasing it away. After about six months the yellow ended up confining itself in the back right corner of my tank and stayed there 4 the next year. The purple would still chase the yellow when the yellow came around the corner of the rocks. One day,I don't know why, the yellow decided to come out from its corner and go back towards the front glass.
there were a few skirmishes, nothing too serious for a couple of months and today they coexist fine no more skirmishes. That's just my fish tale. good luck with whatever decision you make.