compatability question

D

Deb2

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Jun 4, 2002
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I have a 150 gallon reef with about 150 lbs of live rock, some soft corals and some LPS. I have a couple of damsels, 2 orange spot gobies, 2 firefish, 1 coral beauty, 1 sailfin tang, 7 green chromis, 3 cleaner shrimp. My problem is my sailfin tang (Zebrasoma veliferum). I added a bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus) and my sailfin murdered it. I think that it was the stripes that made the tang feel threatened since it hasn't touched any of the other fish. The tang is still small (about 4 inches). Are these fish usually this aggressive or is it probably the stripes? In return for never telling me that I spend too much money on fish I let my husband pick a pet fish for every tank I have. For this tank he wants a blue surgeonfish (Paracanthurus hepatus). Since they are somewhat expensive I wanted to get some opinions as to whether this fish will probably be ok.
Thanks in advance, Debbie
 
Deb,

Most tangs will act agressivley towards other tangs with the same body shape. In your case,however, it may have been the stripes that sent the Sailfin into a frenzy. The Regal Tang that you propose differs from the Sailfin in two ways:

1) A different body shape.

2) Different colrs and markings.

I think you should be safe with this choice. If any one has a different opinion chime in please.
 
That's what I was thinking but I'm relatively new to saltwater/reef. Another question is that I feed the sailfin roasted sushi nori that the LFS said to feed. Is this a good food for them? I also feed frozen and live brine, black worms, and marine cuisine on alternating evenings.
 
Deb,

I also feed nori to my tangs. But also use Sprungs Sea Veggies. I like to vary the foods.

While I have found most tangs to be omnivores, the nutrients that Tangs need are better supplied by the plantlife diet.
 
I'll try the sea vegies also. I try to vary their diet also.

Thanks for the replies and I think I will attempt the regal tang. I think they are different enough.
 
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I had a sailfin once, my sister got it for me for my birthday and it was about 1.5 in. It grew rapidly and got to almost 6 in in a 55G. It was the most agressive fish I've ever had, this includes a Fl local caught tank, which usually ended with one very satiated fish.

Anyway, the sail would try to whack me with it's tang, it's full sail on display, whenever i put my hand in the tank. I couldn't scare it. It would still come and try to tail whack me. It got me a couple of times and it is a painfull puncture.
 
I do not know of a regal tang. I do know a regal angelfish.

You originally said a Paracanthurus hepatus - A Pacific Blue tang. The Paxcific Blue Tang should be fine with a sailfin.

You can buy the nori at an Assian market much cheaper than at the fish store usually. It is healthy as part of a tangs diet.

Ray
 
That's the problem with common names and is exactly why I posted the scientific name also. I have heard these fish called regal tangs, blue surgeon fish, hippo tang, but not pacific blue tang. I have also heard that "tang" should only be used for Zebrasoma species and that all others should be surgeons. Good thing we have scientific names so that we all know what fish are involved.
Thanks for the reply, I have ordered the fish but I haven't picked it up yet. I had a problem with my sump and had 40 gallons of saltwater dumped on my carpet :( . My husband made a new sump and I am waiting until every thing settles down (I lost an open brain coral and a bubble coral while the sump was down). I hope to pick up the fish next week.
I buy the nori at the grocery store and it is much cheaper than at the LFS.
 

Thanks for the reply, I have ordered the fish but I haven't picked it up yet. I had a problem with my sump and had 40 gallons of saltwater dumped on my carpet :( . My husband made a new sump and I am waiting until every thing settles down (I lost an open brain coral and a bubble coral while the sump was down). I hope to pick up the fish next week.
I buy the nori at the grocery store and it is much cheaper than at the LFS. [/B]
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That is one of the reasons I do not use Sumps.

Ray
 
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