Purple Tang?

So, Im starting my tank back up. Wait, let me clarify, it has always been up and running, just no fish. All I had in it for about 3 months was some hermits, snails, and corals.
Now, Im ready to start back up with fish.
I've pretty much done everything with this tank, fish wise. So I kinda want to do something different, really eye catching this time.
My LFS had some very nice looking purple tangs.
They are quite expensive, but definently eye catching. This was one of my fish on my "wish list"
What do you guys think?
This will be the first tank of the new bunch to be added. I just recently added 2 cleaners and 2 peps.
I now I want to have more than one fish obviously, but have no idea what yet. How do they fare as aggriveness, seeing how it will have the tank to itself for a week or two.

Oh, quick thought, my LFS mentioned if I wanted to get other tangs with it, I would have to add two more, that tangs do better in groups. I know they will fight with eachother if they have similar shapelines, but what do you guys think about that tank group theory.

Ok, long post, lots of questions... Sorry. But i appreciate the help.

~Tonya

 

great choice. I have yellow tang. Wifes choice. I love it but would rather have a purple tang. I think some day I will add one and find out what happens. I am not sure I under stand the concerns about tangs with similar shapes. I have seen them in the same tank.

 

I heard that they dont get along, like a purple and a yellow wouldnt get along but you could mix a hippo with a yellow and they will be ok because they dont look like eachother.
So my LFS was saying you could do similar shapelines if you have 3 or more tangs all together, that when its just 2 one will eventually get bullied to death.

 

ok personally, totter, I think the purple tang is one of the most beautiful tangs. the only problem is see is the size of your tank. I don't think a purple tang would be truly happy in a 75 gallon. I personally don't like putting tangs in a 4 ft tank. With that being said, I would NEVER think of putting more than one tang in a tank that small. do you plan on up grading?? or keeping the 75?? I'm speaking from experience by the way as I wish I had more room for my 3 tangs. (150 gallon.)

 

I'm surprised they told you tangs do best in groups. Maybe they meant add them all at once if it's going to work.
It can work but I don't know about that size tank. My tangs seem to grow super slow.
This chick has a bunch of tangs and says the trick for her was putting them in all at once:
YouTube - Aquariums by Sissy Reef aquarium #1 11/30/07

 

I've had all kinds of tangs and it's already been said, a 75 gal tank is a tough place for a fish that is a true swimmer. I have a 120 gal and I'm waiting til I've got all my stock before I introduce certain tangs. The Purple tang is a beauty but not a good beginning fish. I say this from experience. People will tell you to put them in groups but the bio load of those fish could be asking for trouble. There are a few different groups of tangs and they can be mixed together because they are different in looks. A hippo, sailfin and kole can mix. A hippo, purple and tomini can mix. This is just an example. I would read up about the three types and know them well. I would definitely get babies if at all possible for a couple of reasons. Most importantly is the effect on your bio load. They also could be still in the learning stages of what they are. You can't bring a cat into a house that has a mean dog but they can grow up together and not know any better. Give me a healthy baby fish anytime. One more thing, tangs go in last unless you plan on adding predators like triggers, puffers, groupers, snappers, hawks etc. If you want to have nice less agressive fish I would definitely put them in first.

 

Tangs

Tangs or Surgeonfish are beautiful fish belonging to the Family Acanthuridae. These fish are characterized by the presence of sharp Scalpel shaped Blades (modified scales) at the base of their Tail. In offensive position, these fish erect their Spines in the sideward direction. Fresh Marine offers you various species of Tangs. However, prior to moving to the options available at Fresh Marine, lets have a look at the general characteristics of Tangs.

Compatibility. Tangs are generally peaceful towards other fish, but are aggressive towards other Tangs and Surgeonfish. It is therefore advisable to keep one Tang per tank, with Semi Aggressive or Aggressive fish.



Habit & Habitat. Tangs are found in the Reefs of Indo Pacific Ocean, Hawaiian waters southward to Central Polynesia and westward through Micronesia and Melanesia. Some species are also found in Red Sea and Great Barrier Reef.
Morphology. Tangs are extremely beautiful, brightly colored fish, measuring 5”-16” in aquarium. They are identified by the presence of Spines on its side’s Caudal Peduncle. In some species, these Spines are venomous.
Ideal Marine Aquarium Environment Tangs are usually large, therefore require large aquarium to swim around freely. Keep ample Live Rocks, Corals, and Caves in your tank, for the Tangs therein to hide and graze Algae upon. Most of the Tangs require vigorous water movement with high Oxygen level in water. Tangs require a temperature range of 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit, the specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 and the pH value of 8.1-8.4. Some of the Tangs species are sensitive to water quality and infections therefore, both should be checked regularly, especially the dissolved Ammonia levels in it.
Aquarium Feeding. Tangs are Herbivorous and generally graze upon Algal growth in the aquarium. You can also feed your Tangs with Dried Seaweed, Marine Algae, Mysid Shrimp, Spirulina, Romaine Lettuce, Planktons, etc.
Aquarium Breeding. Its difficult to breed Tangs in captivity.
Care. Tangs are difficult to maintain and require an Expert’s care.

Let us now look at some of the best selling Tangs available at Fresh Marine.

Genus Acanthurus. These Tangs have Oval shaped body with bold markings on it.
Achilles Tang (Adult) - Acanthurus achilles - Red-tailed Surgeon or Achilles Surgeonfish.
Atlantic Blue (Juvenile) Tang - Acanthurus coeruleus - Yellow (Juvenile) Coloration Tang - (Juvenile) Atlantic Blue Tang.
Clown Tang - Acanthurus lineatus - Surgeonfish or Lined Surgeonfish.
Convict Tang - Acanthurus triostegus - Hawaii Manini - Hawaiian Tang.
Eiblii/Yellow Mimic Tang - Acanthurus pyroferus - Chocolate Surgeonfish - Mimic Lemon Peel Tang - Mimic Surgeon - Yellow Mimic.
Orange Shoulder Tang - Acanthurus olivaceus - Orangeshoulder Surgeonfish.
Powder Blue Tang - Acanthurus leucosternon - Powder Blue Surgeon Fish.
Powder Brown Tang - Acanthurus japonicus - Powder Brown Surgeon.
Sohal Tang - Acanthurus sohal - Brown Tang.
White Cheek Tang - Acanthurus nigricans - Powder Brown or Gold-Rimmed Surgeon Fish
Mustard Guttatus Tang - Acanthurus guttatus - Mustard Tang.

Genus Paracanthurus. Also called “Palette Surgeonfish,” these Tangs have Palette like markings on the skin.
Blue Tang - Paracanthurus hepatus - Palette Surgeonfish - Hepatus Tang - Pacific Blue-Yellow Tail Blue Tang Fish - Yellow Belly Blue Tang - Hippo Tang.

Genus Zebrasoma. Also called as Sailfin Tangs, these Tangs have Disc shaped body.
Brown Scopas Tang - Zebrasoma scopas - Brown Tang or Two-Tone Sailfin Tang.
Purple Tang - Zebrasoma xanthurus - Yellowtail - Purple Sailfin Tang.
Sailfin Desjardni Tang - Zebrasoma desjardinii - Red Sea Sailfin Tang.
Sailfin Tang - Zebrasoma veliferum.
Yellow Tang (Hawaii) - Zebrasoma flavescens - Yellow Hawaii Tang - Yellow Sailfin Tang.

Genus Ctenochaetus. These Tangs are also called as “Bristle Tooth” Tangs.
Chevron Tang - Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis - Hawaiian Bristletooth - Hawaiian Surgeon fish - Black Surgeonfish.
Yellow Eye Kole Tang - Ctenochaetus strigosus - Striped Bristletooth Tang - Goldring Tang Fish.

Genus Naso. These Tangs have Lyre shape Tail, with a double set of Scalpel shaped fixed Blades on the either sides of Tail.
Naso Blonde Tang (Male) - Naso lituratus - Blonde Naso - Naso Tang
Unicorn Tang - Naso unicornis - Bluespine Unicornfish.
Vlamingii Tang - Naso vlamingi - Vlaming's Unicornfish.
Here is the full page from fresh marine.
http://www.freshmarine.com/tangs.html

 

One last thing, if you are planning on having 2 or 3 tangs I would try to get them out of the same tank in the LFS especially if they've been together and seem to get along

 

Thanks guys for all your help. Im aware of the bio load. I wasnt nessasarly thinking about getting more than one, I just wanted to hear your guys opinion.

And this wouldnt be a starter fish. My tank has been up and running for over a year now. I have had all sorts of fish. I had a yellow tang for over 6 months, the only reason it died was because my protein skimmer died and my tank went without for almost a month because I couldnt afford to replace at the time. So I know my tank is capable of maintaining fish. I do worry about the size. I know 75 is like the bare minimum for a tang.

The purple tangs at the LFS were pretty small, not baby, but they were about 2 inches across.

Thanks again for all your help

 

Update,
I went ahead and bought the purple tang. Looks awesome. Very active and already eating like crazy. Ill have a new post with some pics in a couple days, or maybe a week. I'm planning a super bowl party, lots of food to cook and cleaning to do.

But pics eventually.
And yes, this will most likely be my only tang.