Atlantic Blue Tang

[macman7010]

I was wondering what people's experience with these tangs have been? Are they ich magnets in line with Hippo Tangs and Powder Blue's or are they hardy in line with a Yellow. Being a Carribean species do they tolerate the cooler water of a tropical south pacific style reef aquarium?

 

[Innovator]

I wouldn't call them ich magnets, not to say they aren't succeptible. They are prone to facial erosion. I would not house one in under 125g, better yet a 180g due to their eventual size and swimming patterns nor do they tolerate conspecifics, moreso than other tang sp. 75F+ is probably best.

 

[seaham358]

Very cool fish. They are not ich magnets. But saying that, they are hard to keep alive long term. My 1st one lasted around 1.5 years, I got him when he was very small in the yellow fase. I had a tank crash which he made it through fine and lasted another 8 months and then one day just died?? I have tried them 2 more times and they both did not last long. The LFS asked the dealer about them and they said there hard to keep long term.

 

[melosu58]

I`ve never had one but know others that have and they had the same problem Seaham had with them. They would never make it much past a yr. Maybe because of the tank size that James was talking about.

 

[seaham358]

Tank size could be a issue with a larger one, mine were all small under 4"

 

[Innovator]

In general I would say they are a reasonably hardy fish. Even at smaller sizes they need alot of room mainly due to their open-water swimming patterns over reefs. For comparisons, we had 5-10 in a 1,400g display and they always fought. They will be going into a 4,200g? display soon so that should suit them much better. They also seem to have a nervous behavior about them, well that and the constant urge to eat