Sorry guys. I got pulled away throughout the day and couldn't organize my thoughts. Can I just mention also that it is really annoying not being able to do multi-quote on this forum.
Sorry for the out of order responses...
The philosophy and rules are to minimize unnecessary stress and reduce fish deaths
I can definitely side with that argument. I've seen videos and articles of folks using large mirrors and/or acclimation boxes to introduce tangs into an existing collection. It very much seems to be a gamble no matter what. Is that gamble worth their life? And it seems that question is not brought up enough in our methodology and practices.
The fish don’t really want to be in your small box
I hear what you're saying. In the reptile hobby, it was a common misconception that some snakes live miserable lives inside a drawer style enclosure. With some species, that statement is absolutely true. For other species, they thrived and had very good lives. No fear of predators and very similar to the holes they would live in, in the wild for their entire life.
Could the argument be made, that in an aquarium environment with the right space, they can live a pleasant and stress free life? I'd like to think so. I know we can't know that for certain, but I like the idea of trying to help them feel happy and secure in my care.
Now you know why the definitive answer you seek to this question is hard to find.
I knew there wasn't a definitive answer to this. I've already seen multiple methods in person, videos, and online forums. I knew this could turn into a difficult discussion. Very strong opinions for good reason.
Do you have a group of tangs in mind you are hoping to keep together?
I do currently have a couple different groups of tangs already. I haven't made time to update the club with recent upgrades/acquisitions. But I'm trying to learn along the way. So far things are going very well and harmonious. I will find some time later to make that update to get more advice and wisdom. But it's two different tanks with different groups. I've been really lucky and I'm stoked. So I am seeing for myself that it can work. But like
@Coral reefer said that it can be fine until it isn't. That worries me a little. I just want them happy and living their best life. I'd like to add more but I don't want to disrupt that harmony, which sounds inevitable if I do.
Lots of rules of thumb. Lots of individual exceptions to those rules. Lots of horror stories and love stories in both directions.
Yeah. That's a great point. What may work for one person/tank, could lead to disaster in my tank. Even if I tried the same methods. That makes it tough to want to gamble.
I’ve got 3x zebra, 2x cteno, and 2x acanthurus - all very harmonious.
Thanks for chiming in. I did think about your tank, but I wasn't certain about the quantities and which genus you have. Did you get all of them at the same time? Or introduce them at different times?
I think most issues people have with tangs are not enough food or too small of a tank. I think if you feed a lot and have enough space they do much better. Knock on wood.
@a.little.hypertonic LOVES feeding the fish. They get REALLY well fed... maybe that's why they're all being harmonious up to now.
