Purple Tang/Selection And Tank Too Small 2/13/09
Dear WWM Crew:
<Jesse>
I've been looking to add a Purple Tang to my reef tank for several months now.
My LFS just received two of them in. One is about 2.5 inches in length and the other is 4.5 inches. They are both eating and appear to be healthy.
The tang will be going into my 90 gallon tank that currently houses: 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 1 Brown-barred/Dragon Goby, 3 Blue-Green Chromis, 1 Longnose Hawkfish, 1 Sixline Wrasse, 1 Coral Beauty Dwarf Angel, and 1
White-faced Tang.
<I'm hoping this isn't a Powder Brown Tang also known as the White Face Tang. If so, your tank is too small for any long term success with this fish.>
This will be the last addition to the tank, unless I come across a Mystery Wrasse.
<I would not add any more fish, your overstocked now.>
My main concern is that the tangs will not coexist peacefully. My White-faced is about 4.5" and shows no aggression towards tankmates.
<Correct, they generally show aggression toward conspecifics and there will be problems, especially in your 90 gallon. Save your money toward a larger tank.>
Right now I'm leaning towards purchasing the smaller tang because it may help in determining a clear dominate <dominant> tang without all the fighting. I've been debating on which fish to purchase and I have a long list of arguments for both sides. I would appreciate and input and/or reasoning you have.
<There are no arguments, tangs do not get along in smaller systems. Read FAQ's here on Tang Compatibility.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tangcompfaqs.htm James (Salty Dog)>
Jesse G.

Re: Purple Tang/Selection And Tank Too Small 2/15/09
James (Salty Dog):
Thank you for your input. To clear things up I have an Acanthurus japonicus. I know how much the WWM Crew values proper spelling so I thought I would make you aware your error, which I have highlighted below.
"You're" is the correct form.
<Thank you for pointing this out, very observant on your part. Was a mental error in my haste, do know which form to use. Wish more folks were as observant of their spelling/English. Cheers.
James (Salty Dog)>