3 tangs in a 125g

rizkeeper · #1 01/27/2006, 01:28 PM

How long can keep 3 tangs in a 125g? 3" Kole Tang, 3" Purple tang and 3" Powder Blue tang.

~100lbs of LR, big skimmer. No other fish will be added. SPS only tank. BB with lots of flow, and lots of swimming space.

My thinking:

Purple Tans do not get too large (5-7"), Kole tangs are very mild mannerd, get up to 5-7" needs lots of swimming room. PBT are beasts, very mean, but will grow up with the other 2. Gets to be aroun 5-7" as well (IN AN AQUARIUM)

rizkeeper · #2 01/27/2006, 01:44 PM

Also, my logic is this...you might hate this idea, but it is reality.

I figure on of the fish will die for what ever reason over the next couple years. At this time, the two remaining tangs will never let me add anything else. So it's a good insurance policy to start with three, if you really want to have 2 in the long run.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I am well researched and feed only the best food (ZOE, CON, GARLIC, NORI etc). I want all the fish to live for ever, but for some reason, I and other seem to lose some fish around the 2 year mark.

Travis L. Stevens · #3 01/27/2006, 02:03 PM

Actually, Purple Tangs can get up to 9" and can be very aggressive. Kole Tangs are mild mannered and reach 7". Powder Blue Tangs are notoriously difficult to keep and grow 9" and are also very aggressive. While these fish might be the only ones in a 125g SPS, it would depend on the length. Is your tank the 72" 125g? My worries aren't actually much on those three tangs living and growing but their aggression (or eventual aggression) on each other. The Kole Tang will most likely be stressed and hiding often if the PT and/or PBT start showing aggression. And if they do, they could very well end up killing each other. Thus leaving you with a dead fish and a waste of money, a very aggressive victor, and a stressed and scared Kole Tang. I would actually sit down and do a little more research on compatibility and other various species of fish that you like (tangs and surgeonfish included). I think that it might be possible to keep three tangs in a tank that size, but I would be careful.

lbv · #4 01/27/2006, 02:03 PM

^ said it before me =P

lawdawg18 · #5 01/27/2006, 02:23 PM

Would there be agression issues between a powder brown or Naso and a powder brown in 150, along with some small fish such as fire fish, and cardinals?

rjwilson37 · #6 01/27/2006, 02:32 PM

You should be fine, especially if you get them as juveniles and they live together for a while, they should all do fine.

lawdawg18 · #7 01/27/2006, 02:47 PM

sorry hit the back button

rizkeeper · #8 01/27/2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Purple Tangs can get up to 9"

I have been in and around this hobby a long time and I have never seen a purple tang over 5"...not saying you are fibbing, but please point me in the direction of a 9" Purple tang.

It is a 6 foot long tank

Quote:

The Kole Tang will most likely be stressed and hiding often if the PT and/or PBT start showing aggression

I think Kole tangs are the most misunderstood tang on this board. I have had several. One for over 4 years. These fish are NOT TIMID, they can hold their own and they are one of the more active grazing tangs I have seen (on rock, not a veggie clip)

Have you ever had any of these fish? If not, where do you get your info?

kbmdale · #9 01/27/2006, 02:53 PM

Let us know how it turns out...Sounds like you already have your mind set on it so no need to give any advice here.

rizkeeper · #10 01/27/2006, 04:51 PM

I do have my mind set, I actually alreayd have the 3 fish.

I was just trying to plan out the process. Should I expect to move one in a year or two? WIll they kill each other in a couple years? Etc.

I am not going to watch them kill each other, any signs of excess stress or torn flesh and the fish will be seperated. So far so good, I was just wonder how long this harmony would last?!

fishman805 · #11 01/27/2006, 05:01 PM

IMO, you will not have any problems with the tangs that you have in your tank.... I've got three tangs in my 150gal tank and they all get along just fine.... Keep them well fed and you'll expect to enjoy them for many years to come.....

My tangs: Blue Regal = 7"
Blonde Naso = 6" and still growing
Yellow = 5" almost as large as the Regal in gurth

I feed nori every day and everyone else in the tank gets to eat mysis and brine and plankton....

Bob

AllenFord_SC · #12 01/27/2006, 05:51 PM

Shouldn't be a problem with proper research and plenty of escape routes and hiding spots.

rizkeeper · #13 01/27/2006, 06:09 PM

ongrats fishman...you have the big ones too.....

i agree, feeding is key...they will get nori daily...the kole doesnt touch the veggie clip yet, but the other two do. i've never had a kole eat nori

View Poll Results: How long can I keep 3 tangs in a 125g, no other fish
<1 year until the Purple and PBT kill each other	3	6.25%
DON'T EVEN TRY IT!!!	3	6.25%
Will have to remove one of them in 2-3 years	11	22.92%
You will be fine for several years	20	41.67%
Idiots like you encourage others to be abusive	1	2.08%
It's you tank, your Money enjoy!!!	10	20.83%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll