powder blue tang compatablilty

[Bender 2]

I am thihking of adding a powder blue tang to my 180. I have a yellow tang, and a hepatus tang in there already. They get along great. I was just wondering if adding the powder blue would mess up the peaceful setup? Please lt me know your good or bad experiences. Thanks.

[Reef-Keeper]

i really think that you wont have enough room with 3 tangs in a 180. tangs are fish that cover MILES of ocean in a single day, so they need a lot of room in out tanks.

the hippo (hepatus), gets to be around 12 1/2" long
the yellow gets about 8" long
the powder blue gets about 10" long

that is a big load for a 180, IMHO.

the powder blue tang is VERY suseptable to ICH, not to mention that a powder blue can get EXTREMELY hostile towards other tangs. especially if they are close in form and color (like the hippo is).again IMO, unless it is a very large system, a powder blue should be the only tang. AGAIN, these are just my opinions. HTH

[loubee]

I think it might be a bit dodgy to add a powder blue especially if the other tangs have been there at least a few weeks... Think they could be very territorial towards another tang (& powder blues are very sensitive).

Soz if this is a silly question but, when you say 180, do you mean 180 ltrs or gals or is it the length of the tank or what!?

Thanks,
Lou

[Reef-Keeper]

i am assuming it is a 180 gallon tank.

[loubee]

[luvmylo]

I would add it. please tell us how that goes.

[Bender 2]

Thanks for the feedback. The tank is 180 gallons (6'x2'x2'). I have had the hepatus tang for aprox. 6 years. It is about 6" in length. The yellow tang has been with me for a little over a year. Both are doing well and getting along with their tank mates. That is why I am apprehensive about disrupting the happy balance of the tank. Thanks again for your input.

[Loverotties]

The Hippo will pick on the powder blue.

[Bender 2]

That is what I am afraid of. Not to mention that the hepatus is the boss of the tank. Doesn't pick on other fish but is always the first and most persistant when it is time to eat.