Tangs

My 90 gal. completed cycling about 3 weeks ago. I have already added some corals and 2 juvenile Ocellaris clowns. All water parameters and organisms are fine. I used LR, live sand and a sump with refugium to help cycle the tank. My questions are these: 1) Can I have a Yellow Tang and a Yellow Eye Kole Tang together?
2) If so, do I purchase them together or at different times and in what
order?
3) Is it too early to add these fish to my tank?

Thanks for the Info/Advise,
john1948

 

IMO, To early to add tangs, IF at all possible I would wait for the 6th month marker. Those tangs should do well together. But I would still add them young and at the same time to the tank.

 

I agree with RG.

 

I would wait as well, if only for the fact that they are larger fish and I would try and get any more timid fish into the tank first. It really depends what the rest of your stock list is though.
I would try and figure that out to determine stock order. Get your timid fish in first to let them get established, it makes it easier in the long run.

I also think that Zebrasoma (Yellow Tangs) will grow too large for a 90g tank eventually but that's just me, they are very strong swimmers and will like a lot more room when they get larger. The Ctenochaetus tangs that are on the smaller end are much more appropriate for 4' tanks.

 

1) Yes
2) add them at the same time
3)Mo wait

 

Thanks Everyone. You are all very consistent in your advise. I had been getting too many different opinions from my LFS and was really getting confused. So, I will probably get both tangs, introduce them at the same time, but will wait a while (6 months). Thanks Everyone for the good advise.

john1948

 

Like others have said, you should not have an issue when you add these fish. But I would wait a little longer, maybe not 6 months, but you want to make sure the tank is a little more mature, especially for a ctenochaetus.


A yellow tang is a bigger fish when full grown, and they do like a lot of room to swim. That said, I have seen many YT's in 90g tanks that are very happy.

While ctenochaetus tangs generally stay smaller, I would plan on that kole being the last ctenochaetus tang in the tank. If you were to add another, then if the kole wouldn't kill the other bristletooth, I don't think a 90g would support 2 b tooths.

Keep in mind a kole, while smaller, is one of the more aggressive tangs, behind the powder brown and blues, and the purple tangs.