Orcrone

I was considering purchasing a Yellow Tang and Butterfly Fish this weekend. I know I should only keep one yellow tang in a tank. But the sales associate said that since the butterfly fish is also yellow there could be aggression between the two and I'd be better choosing one or the other. What do you think.

On a similar note how about keeping different tangs in the same tank, for instance a yellow tang and blue hippo tang? My tank if 55 gallons.

agsansoo

Yellow tanks are great fish. Mine Tang has been with me for almost a year now. I think if you place both Tang and Butterfly fish in the tank at the same time, you should be OK. If you don't , the Tang will pester the other fish 24/7. Mixing different Tangs is the way to go ! I have a Yellow Tang and a Blue Hippo Tang. They get along great ! How big is you tank ?

Orcrone

My tank is 55 gallon, about the same as yours, but I don't have a sump. You actually answered another question of mine. I was wondering whether I could place two tangs of different species in the tank.

Yellow tangs are some of the smaller ones. Do I have to worry about the blue hippo tang outgrowing the tank?

Mike

Hi guys - be careful with your butterfly fish selection - some can be very difficult to keep and feed. The raccoon butterfly fish are usually well behaved and adapt well to the home aquarium.

The blue hippo tang (and tangs in general) appreciate as much swimming space as possible. If you really are set on keeping a blue tang, I'd recommend going with a bigger tank than a 55 gallon for the long run. More info on the Blue Tang

Orcrone

I thought I had read that about the blue tang. Can I get by with a 55 gallon tank for the yellow tang?

agsansoo

Mine has grown little in a year. I was told that it can take over ten years to reach their full size. As for my Blue Hippo, I have a LFS with a 1000 gallon reef tank that will take him off my hands, when he gets too big.

Mike

Yep - blue tangs are really cool fish that would sell easily. I think a yellow tang would do ok in a 55.

Peterpiper

Would'nt it be nicer if the LFS just gave you the 1000g tank!

sgould

So long as they were also providing a house big enough to put it in, that would be sweet.