Animal Stories - People Talking About Surgeonfish



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Latest Animal Stories on Surgeonfish (211)

Callan Checkley - 2012-12-31
I have a lionfish rabbitface, foxface,lawnmower, tusk and a clownfish in my tank just wondering if anyone knows if it would be alright to add a yellow tang in with them or not?If not what would be good?

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Jeremy Roche - 2013-01-01
Tang should do fine as long as the tank is large enough to handle it.

aidan boyd - 2012-10-16
What fish go good with a Blue Tang?

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aidan boyd - 2012-10-17
Okay thanks. What size tank would you need for one or two Blue Tangs?
Anonymous - 2012-11-09
Actually, most, if not all surgeonfish are very territorial and will not tolerate other tangs of any kind in the aquarium. Be careful and read about each one! They are generally peaceful with all kinds of OTHER fish since they are herbivores. Clownfish, lionfish, eels, gobies, blennies, angelfish, butterflyfish, etc. etc. Because of the adult size of these fish, a minimum of 75 gallons is recommended for keeping just one, 100 or more gallons would house 2 of them but it is highly unlikely they would get along.

katie - 2010-05-29
Hi
I have had 2 blue tangs in my tank for 3 weeks. And I know 1 of them is really stressed but the other is always hiding behind the rocks and isn't coming out to feed because the other one that is stressed, when the one isn't feeding it wants to come out from behind the rocks but it can't because of the one that is stressed is chasing after it to get back behind the rocks. Why isnt it coming out and feeding?

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Pete - 2011-06-18
You are only supposed to keep one on its own. They are solitary fish
Pete - 2012-02-06
Thats why why you should keep one per tank.
claire - 2012-03-02
We have 2 in our tank and they never fight and they swim together, never any problems. So it is possible to have 2 per tank!
Mike - 2012-03-09
Two or more are fine in a tank if introduced at the same time. Its even better if they are introduced together at a younger age. I have have had two in my tank for over two years with no problems. Also make sure your tank is not too small and not overcrowded.
kyle corrin - 2012-10-15
I have a 3ft tank can i keep a yellow tang and a powder tang together if i introduce them small and at the same time.
playdoc - 2012-11-01
No.3ft. is normally about 25-40 gallons, and Blue Tangs need 75 gallons for one or two.

Callan Checkley - 2012-08-25
Is a 3ft tank big enough for a blue tang to live in?

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Charlie Roche - 2012-08-25
That size tank would not be large enough for the adult size of a Tang. As a younger it would be OK but as it starts to grow - it is recommended that the blue Tan have at least a 75 gallon tank. Smaller could cause stunting. A 3 foot tank (which is normally 12 inches wide) is only about 22 gallons which isn't big enough for your fella.
Anonymous - 2012-08-26
no worrys thanks
aidan boyd - 2012-10-16
No problem. What fish can I have in a 25 gallon tank?
aidan boyd - 2012-10-15
I have a 25 gallon tank. Will that be enough for one or two Blue Tangs?
Clarice Brough - 2012-10-15
No, let me reiterate what Charlie pointed out... 25 gallons is not big enough for even one, they really need 75 gallons or more.
playdoc - 2012-10-18
Okay thanks. What fish can I have?
Jeremy Roche - 2012-10-18
For this fish, especially if you want 2 a 125 gallon tank is recommended.

Ryan - 2012-10-04
I've seen some as far south as Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. I haven't been diving much further south so can not verify that they don't live past there.

Merrick - 2008-09-24
Beautiful and reef friendly. My tank just matured and I introduced my Tang with some Banner fish, gobies and common clowns. It has been three weeks now and no issue has arose. Very busy fish, needs lots of space as it loves to dart about.

I do agree that you need quite a bit of live rock as it doesn`t stop nibbling.
I have a huge aquarium (3,2m x 0,65m x 0,85{1500lts}) and it has managed to clean my glass in two days.

I would recommend this species definitely for first time reefers.

AD Roth - 2005-02-07
Wonderful addition to my aquarium. Peaceful and full of character. Very easy to care for... required a bit more time up front until adapted to the aquarium feeding "ritual".

ben - 2006-07-18
please do not keep this fish and a tank less than 6ft it will soon get white spot and will quickly perish. I KNOW!!

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Steve - 2011-01-14
Ben, I know that these tangs are hard to keep, But you should check your care and tank systems. I have a Powder Blue tang that has been in a 30 gal. tank with clownfish and a Potters Angel for at least 2 years. If you don't have inverts and it only a fish tank try adding some copper, I use coppersafe and haven't seen a white spot since I got him two years ago. I know that my tank is small for a tang but this fish is beautiful and fat. I need to set up my 150 and give it some more room, but so far so good. Try the copper and good luck. It works, just keep in mind you can't keep inverts with copper. Steve

MaDdIeElIzAbEtH - 2011-02-03
I had this huge science project to do and its due tomorrow. I waited until last minute to do it because I have been sick. THANK YOU! I got all the information I needed!

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Mae - 2011-05-24
omg! That is exactly what happened to me to and this site helped!
Neil Walker - 2012-08-04
In my opinion Trish and Katie dont have a clue about fish keeping, anyways I'm absolutely certain that dory will start out in a shoal when young but gradually become isloated in the wild, so to assume that these fish are going to stay young forever and stay together long, is a mistake. They don't like their own species company at all and if you have a GIANT aquarium and have a couple or more 'blues' they are still never together, even though they don't fight, they should not be encountering each other so often. It is a mistake, a BIG one if u have a 180 gallon tank to keep two, It is a SHAME if you have two in a smaller reef. Shame on all of you in this forum if u keep two. By the way don't over feed them brine shrimp, my sis and all that because they primarily eat zoo plankton and Red or Purple Algae.

jo anne wilkinson - 2012-04-17
I have had Nasos since I started aquariams. I moved, so set up my 125 about 6 months ago. Initial issues, but all has been well for quite some time. I just got my naso,(blonde) and he got black ich, but is decreasing with herbatana. He loves nori, and eats energetically and seems well. My question is that he has splotches on his skin that are white and he is a light grey. He is about 3-4 inches, and I'm thinking it is probably normal in a juvenile until his color develops. They actually go away when he is eating. Any thoughts? Thanks

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Jeremy Roche - 2012-04-18
Sounds normal for a young fish that just got or being sick. Keep a close eye on it for a couple weeks to make sure there are no changes.
jo anne wilkinson - 2012-04-19
Thanks, Jeremy. The black spots are gone, and the splotches seem to be blending in. I appreciate your help!
Please... Any thoughts on your heater selection? I have been through 4 that are not accurate or just stop working (with the light on)!
Jeremy Roche - 2012-04-20
I like the JBJ true temp. I t is pricey but does a great job. Make sure you are getting heaters that are big enough and not working too hard. Need atleast 400 watts. I would do 2 different heater if you go with normal submergible heaters. mybe 2 400 watt heaters.

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