Fish Compatibility

[DonCollins]

Hi All,

Got a compatibility question. We are in the process of upgrading our 55g to a 125 and are looking at addin a couple fish. LFS and books are giving conflicting advie (imagine that.....) as to what can be added, so here goes...

We have a Scopas Tang, just over a year old and about 4" long. One book says one tang per tank, no exceptions, another says that as long as the tank is big enough, DIFFERENT SHAPED tangs will be able to get along and make their own territory, and the store says "No prolem! They will be fine!" (again, imagine that...) We would like to add a Blue Hippo soon after we move everyone over to the 125 since territory SHOULDN'T be a huge problem if both fish are new to the tank, but we do not want to add the hippo if it will not be able to get along with the scopas (he's our baby). On a side note, our LFS curently has some TINY Blue Hippos, about 1 1/2" long...not sure if this would make introduction easier or not, but figure it is worth mentioning.

Also, We have our lone Bangai Cardinal and would like to add a second and possibly a third cardinal to the mix with a Pajama or two...will these guys get along or no? The Bangai is about 2 years old and about 3 1/2" - 4" long.

Thanks for all the help!

Don in Ohio.

 

[melosu58]

Welcome to AA Don. Different shape and colors will work out fine. There may be some hostility at first but cut the lights off and move some rock around and they`ll be OK. If you are wondering how I know look at the pic

 

[Innovator]

Tangs will fight, checks and balances, regardless if you have 2 or more and size/shape means nothing. The only exception would be with Acanthurus and conspecifics. As for the 'hippo', I would look for one at least 3" (not including caudal fin). Mixing Pajama cards and Bangai cards may stimulate constant bickering.