upgrading tank and adding new tangs

hey blinkin · Feb 7, 2022

hello all! I am upgrading from a 85gal to a 180gal tank. thankfully all is ready to go, tank setup, plumbed and most new dry rock is in and ready. Im going to fill (both new and old tank water) on Wednesday, and add new tangs to the existing tangs. Im adding a powder blue, Naso, and blue tang to my existing purple, scopas, sailfin and coral beauty. those 3 have been great tankmates, no aggression and no fighting. however when I do add the new tangs into this group should i take any precautions with the purple tang or any of them? the advice i got was to add the purple to the sump and let him be for about a week before adding him to the display. i THINK this is the right thing but i am just curious if anyone has experience other than should be the right thing.

thanks in advance!

Smite · Feb 7, 2022

I'd add them all at once. I think with the purple in the sump, the tangs will figure out the hierarchy then you'll add the purple and it will start it all over.

Have one of those slim makeup mirrors on hand. If they start to get to aggressive use some painters tape and tape the mirror to the outside glass facing in. The aggressive tangs will see themselves and attack the glass allowing other tangs to get established.

hey blinkin · Feb 7, 2022

Smite said:

thank you that makes sense too, and the purple tang shows no aggression ever. I just hope he doesnt want to turn the new tank into the thunder dome.

jrrob98 · Feb 7, 2022

I would have to agree with Smite ... add them all at once and add a few mirrors to your tank. Maybe even feed heavy the 1st couple of days.

jaxcarnage · Feb 7, 2022

When I added my last 1-2" tang to my tank where the other tangs were double in size, I did let it chill in the sump for a day or two and put into the display at lights out.

BgFish · Feb 7, 2022

+1- Smith said exactly what I would and have done. I think it’s the best solution 👍

joseserrano · Feb 7, 2022

You can also bump up feeding for a few days to minimize aggression

Tangwich · Feb 7, 2022

And add several clips or rocks with nori in different places so they dont all fight over one food source.

hey blinkin · Feb 8, 2022

I have a couple extra clips and Im adding some nori to the rocks. and thanks all for the tips!

Flame_Angle · Feb 8, 2022

No need to add all at once but if the new one larger than the old one or introduce them at night would get away from trouble.

laverda · Feb 9, 2022

I would not do it at all. That's way to many tangs for that small a tank. The sailfin tang will grow to 14" and live 25 years plus. if properly cared for. It needs a minimum 8' tank with lots of swimming room.

newtothis · Feb 14, 2022

Since its a new tank along with existing group of tangs and adding new groups of tangs. I would be more worried about them stressing out and you know what happen when tangs stress out.

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hey blinkin · Feb 14, 2022

took the advice of everyone in the pool at once and everyone is happy and settled in. no arguments and everyone is swimming together and no food aggression. everyone is happy

upgrading tank and adding new tangs

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