Sailfin or yellow tang?

I just can't decide...looking for opinions based on experience or simply preference.

 

how bigs your tank?

Personally I'd say sailfin if your tank is 125+ gallons, they get really really big though, Yellows are cool but just to common for my taste

 

I had both in my 40 gallon. they were great untill they out grew it. The sailfin was always begging for food fat guy he was hahah

 

I wouldn't put the Yellow in anything under a 75 and THATS PUSHING IT, the sailfin I would get at least a 180 as I have seen just about full size ones in tanks and they get about a 1', the 18" diameter in the 125 would be a little tight, I know these recommendations seem too large but I'll tell you this, I have a 3" purple in my 180 and I feel bad for him, I don't know what I'll do when he and the orange shoulder are full grown-probably get a 300!!!!
Seriously, if you want to kept them long term and HEALTHY get the BIGGEST tank you can possibly get, or choose different fish!!

Good luck and happy reefing!

 

If the tank is large enough and there are enough places for them to establish their own territory, I think you might be able to have them both - but be sure and add them to the tank in at the same time.

Personally, I love yellows because of their color. They are relatively inexpensive and are a real kick when they are eating seaweed from a clip. I have tried having more then one, but each time eventually I ended up with only one; so that's where it is now.

 

i vote sailfins from the red sea one of the best looking tank imo.
i believe there called desjardina sailfins. i know i prolly butchered the spelling

 

Sailfin.
I love the colors, the way they swim, and their personaility.

 

I agree with everyone, lol thats why this is so hard. ideally both would be great, but thats just not possible. I can currently get both at about 2" size. so very small as far as tangs go.... Either one would be kept in a 55 gal. along with a coral beauty, 2 clowns, a neon dottyback, and eventually a mandarin. I know a 55 is rather small, but im entertaining the idea now because my friends father is upgrading from his 125 and has offered it to me. the only drawback is i wont get the tank for the next 2-3 months while he sets up and prepares everything for his upgrade. After which, it'll take me another 2-3 months to get everything up, running, and stable for the 125. So on the safe side lets say id upgrade within the next 6-12 months IF i end up taking the tank. everything with the 125 actually just happened yesterday so its all a new idea and difficult to estimate a time frame. Ive read that most tangs kept in the average home aquaria wont actually reach their full size, and even if they were it would take a very long time. if either is in the 55 for say up to a year, i can only imagine its growth would be stunted significantly and might never reach the full size it can achieve in nature.
Iraf and Sostoudt, i should have been more clear, the sailfin tang i am speaking of is a desjardini sailfin from the red sea, which of course i know on its own i will have some obstacles to overcome with keeping this species. I love the bright yellow of the yellow tang, but i also love the elegance and the unique beauty of the sailfin. All of my other fish are rather common, so i think it would be nice to have this one being less common. however, anytime i walk into my lfs, the yellows are such an eye catcher....

All in all, i really still done know... i can be sure about either for a moment, then ill change my mind, pretty much i dont want to regret my purchase even though im sure id be happy enough with either (i get very attached to my fish) =0)....based on everyones opinions and what ive read though...im leaning more towards the sailfin at the moment...i guess ill just leave it to fate and whichever i decide the day im at the lfs will be the one. Thanks to everyone who added their opinions!

 

Why not just wait until you get the 125 set up and cycled then you can provide a good home for either.
I have a Desjardini Sailfin and know from experience that they grow to a point 7 to 8 inches very fast. Then slow right down.
Personally I think 55G is too small for even small Tangs