Integration of Sailfin Tang

[flanque]

Hello,

I currently have the following and wish to introduce a sailfin tang:

• Coral beauty
  Orange tail damsel
  Pair of perc clowns
  Red blenny
  Hermit crab

I am concerned about agression from the angel and the damsel. Your thoughts?

 

[seaham358]

What size tank?? I would not put a sailfin in anything smaller then a 125 and I would not worry about the other fish.

 

[flanque]

55g

 

[seaham358]

55, not a good idea to have a sailfin, they require a lot of swimming room and can get up to 15"

 

[flanque]

What would you recommend as a new addition to my tank given the above inhabitents already? I really would like an algae eater if possible.

 

[Brenden]

You could do a yellow tang in a 55. Someone else would be better to comment on the bio-load it would produce with the current fish you have.

 

[flanque]

I would actually prefer a yellow tang, but getting them at my LFS is hard.. they get them like every 6 months, but in lots of like 150 so i just have to wait.

Would a yellow tang require less space than a sailfin? I chose a sailfin over a yellow for the above reason, but also as I thought they'd have comparable needs.

 

[Brenden]

A yellow tang will only get half the size of a sailfin. They both have the same feeding requirements. (love algae) Have you tried online? I just saw them on sale for $14.99

 

[flanque]

I'm in AU... we pay $100 minimum here... I found another store but they want $180 can you believe?

 

[flanque]

What if I got a smaller sailfin and then just replace it when it gets bigger?

 

[Brenden]

Sorry I did not pay attention to your location. Not a good idea to buy a fish based on future plans. Some requirement are based on size and some on the actual fish. I would say avoid the sailfin.
I can give you the sale link

 

[flanque]

If it allows a local purchase in AU, then go for it. ;p

 

[Brenden]

Got this off there site:
International orders will incur actual freight cost. The USPS Express shipping will be utilized for international orders; cost will vary.
Ordering just one fish would probably not be worth it. If you wanted corals or multiple fish I would look into it.

 

[flanque]

It's not worth it. AU has very strict quarantine laws and it's expensive. Ah well, guess I will have to find another fish.. what about purple tangs? I wanted a colour other than purple as my angel is mostly purple.

 

[Hara]

no tang, except POSSIBLY the yellow and the kole, would be suitable for your tank. Even small ones need room to swim.

 

[flanque]

So what would you recommend I could add to my tank?

 

[Hara]

cardinals, anthias, chromis...go to www.liveaquaria.com and just browse the fish for ideas

 

[flanque]

aren't chromis a member of the damsel family, and as such might fight with my yellow tail damsel?

 

[Brenden]

Chromis are not aggressive. Like Hara said check out liveaquaria.com. It will give you info on the fish temperament, special requirements, etc. with nice pictures.

 

[afilter]

Correct Chromis are a member of the damsel family, but unlike other damsels are relatively peaceful. I have a school of 5, but with your current load I would not get more than 3. Is getting rid of the yellow tail an option? It may be aggressive toward chromis or other smaller fish.

Otherwise I think the damsel might be a problem for anything other than a yellow tang anf I would wait on a yelow tang if that is what you want.