Orangshoulder and Powder Blue Tangs

Hey everyone,

I was speaking to a mate of mine who is thinking of starting the hobby and he asked me about mixing tangs together. He was looking through one of my species books and both the powder blue and orangshoulder tangs caught his eye. I couldn't give him a decent answer to his question as im no expert with tangs but he wanted to know if they can be mixed and the minimum tank size that this could happen in. I know PB's are aggressive esp towards other tangs but i though if two juveniles are put in a tank 100g+ they should be fine if they are added simulatneously and the OS is bigger than the PB. Do you guys have any idea on mixing them and the size of the tank or should they be in separate tanks?

Cheers,

Breed

 

i have seen them together in a 1000+ tank down here... but in a 100 i dont know. maybe 300+ but they are the same body shape. IMO i would go with the one i like more, and get maybe a purple tang or something with that type body.

 

Usally tangs are agressive to other tangs of similar body shape or color, also if your friend is just going to start a tank I highly reccomend not getting either one of those for a 100G.. First of all PB tangs are one of the most if not the most sensitive tang. The water params and changes in any temp will most likley mean death to this fish. The are pretty much ick magnets x 100. The OS is a fairly hardy fish but would need a bigger tank. I would start with the tangs that monkey has suggested! yellow, purple, sailfin ect.. just have your friend start with the begginer fish that way it will be a much better experience!
Good luck!
-Jordan

 

Not to rain on your parade mate but here is some proof of this beast!
PowdBlueTg

 

Ive read nothing smaller that a 240 for those guys. If you mix the genus better you can go smaller, but for 2 tangs that get above 10 inches I would not put them in anything under 72 inches long, or around 150 gallons. Hope this helps.

 

woo im on a roll! lol

 

Both the Powder Blue and the Orange Shoulder come from the family Acanthurus. I would avoid regardless of tank size, multiple Tangs from the same family.
I currently have Orange Shoulder, Naso, Cheveron, and Sailfin Tangs. all get along perfectly