Tangs not getting along

Mike....put him back in the tank, and let them work it out...That is crap that that tang will grow to a foot and a half. I had my Naso in a 150 gallon for 4 years, and it did not grow more than 10 inches. A lot of people here just repeat what they hear. I am telling you from experience that they are wrong. And even if I am wrong, you can always re-home him if he does grow that big. I have pics to back my statements. I have not seen anyone post a pic of a Naso that got too big for their tank.

 

Rob, I agree and disagree all at the same time. Here's the thing. That tang will not grow that big, in the next year or two. With this being said, the 75 gallon tank isn't big enough for both of them. I honestly don't think it's big enough for one tang but...to each his own. Now, would it be ok for a year? Sure it would. One of the biggest reasons is that they really aren't going to share the same space. Naso's are open water swimmers (which is why your 75 is too small) where as the mimic is going to hang out more around and in the rockwork. I think they would be able to work out the differences but I would plan on upgrading really soon. Here's what I do. I buy the fish, make my wife fall in love, and convince her that it's her idea to upgrade.

 

Love the method Daniel...especially with the wife....however, he did mention that his Tang is a female, and they do NOT grow as big as a male. I had 4 Tangs, added at different times (Months apart) and yes, the aggression was bad at first. But they became best friends, and shared a lettuce leaf every night. My point is....general statements do not cover all questions. Every fish is different, and every tank is different. I am not saying that his Tangs will eventually get along, or one will not make it. I just don't like people giving someone new advice that is not substantiated. I love your opinions Daniel, and you are an old hand at this. I just don't like general statements, especially to new people. Yes they will make mistakes, but didn't we? That is how we learned.

 

Yeah, I think they would learn to co-exist. Those blanket statements drive me insane as well. I personally think he should add the naso back, at night while the others are asleep.

 

You know...I think that everyone here has the best intentions when they post. I HATE watching my new fish that I just spent 70.00 on get the crap beat out of him when I get him home. It probably is the hardest part of this hobby. But at the end of the day, I have learned that they either make it or they don't. I have had new additions not get beat up, and still only last 48 hrs. It sucks, but it is a risk we take. I still don't know why, that in the LFS your new Tang or whatever looks totally happy with the other fish they are swimming with in a 2x2 holding tank, have such a hard time when you put them in a tank 8-10 times the size.

 

IMO, the tank is DEFINITELY a way too small for both of them and will be too small for even just the naso as it grows.
When the tanks are crowed like that, the stress level goes up, and even if they manage to get along for a time, the stress will probably be there still and might lead to other problems.
I kept two tangs together in a 90g tank for two years, only to come home from work one day and find one almost dead from fighting wounds, and the other in very poor shape. The first died overnight and the second a few days later.
Personalities can come into play here in crowded conditions, much like crowding humans into a small space for a long time.

 

Explain the pic I posted earlier in this post....Not arguing, just want to cover all bases.

 

As I mentioned, personalities come into play as well. Also, I'd bet that tank is a lot larger than a 75.
Then too, I didn't have a problem for two years of them being together.
For me it worked out having many tanks set up so I could have many tangs as tangs and butterflies were my favorite fish.
I'm not going to tell anyone that it CAN'T be done, but IMO, it SHOULDN'T be done because the odds are against it, especially for the long term.

 

Ther is always a but take the naso out re aquascape and after a day or two put him back in. I had a really nice Oscar and every time I got a new fish I had to do this except the eel my snowflake bit him and the Oscar never messed with him again. My eel also bit me the freshwater snowflake eels hurt way more than the saltwater ones.

 

Keeping aggresion to a minimum is one of the most important parts of maintaining a healthy environment and animals. Ignore this fact and you will not be successful at keeping your animals healthy long term.Minimum tank sizes IMO should be adhered to for starters. It is always best to use caution and pick wisely.