Powder Blue Tang with Hippo Tang (aka Blue Tang)

[WLSS]

Anyone have any experience with having these 2 staying happy together in a 4ft tank? Both are about 2.5 inch big.

[damsel-in-distress]

No problem, I hv both the BT and the PB in my tank. The BT is a rather peaceful fish, was the first to go in a yr ago & is now 3" long, the PB (which is a more aggressive of the species) went in 3 wks ago. It measured 2". I also added a 3" YT a wk ago. They all get along v. well, no bullying witnessed altho' the YT still quite shy & still hasn't learned to grab food during feeding b4 the others devour everthing! I think it is impt. to provide lots of hiding (rockwork) & swimming space (my tank > 6ft) so you can enjoy its growth w/o worrying for a few yrs at least when it outgrows yr tank.

[Dispar_Anthias]

No problem, I hv both the BT and the PB in my tank. The BT is a rather peaceful fish, was the first to go in a yr ago & is now 3" long, the PB (which is a more aggressive of the species) went in 3 wks ago. It measured 2". I also added a 3" YT a wk ago. They all get along v. well, no bullying witnessed altho' the YT still quite shy & still hasn't learned to grab food during feeding b4 the others devour everthing! I think it is impt. to provide lots of hiding (rockwork) & swimming space (my tank > 6ft) so you can enjoy its growth w/o worrying for a few yrs at least when it outgrows yr tank.

Hmm.... not really true... if your PBT is the established one, it would probably kill the regal tang if its added to the tank

[DeepBlue]

I have both the hippo, PBT [and a couple more tangs](not revealing too much info to DA ) in my tank. Indeed, hippo is peaceful. The PBT, on the other hand, is rather aggressive as once established it will go after new tangs that are introduced later than him(my Black tang is still being harrassed occassionally by him).

But generally, it depends on your luck.

My PBT doesnt seem to mind the Hippo.....they are doing well together.

[damsel-in-distress]

Hmm.... not really true... if your PBT is the established one, it would probably kill the regal tang if its added to the tank

Aaah yes ... I understand the nature of things when it comes to territorial area within a confined living space & the size/attitude/"who comes first" succession of each inhabitant.

As mentioned in my post, my Regal Tang has already established territory in the tank the past yr. The PB, becos it is naturally a more aggressive fish, was only introduced 3wks ago and of smaller size to the RT.

Last in went the YT ... altho it's behaviour is categorised as moderately aggressive, it is the only tang of the zebrasoma species (so less chance of territorial fighting) unlike the above two of the paracanthus/acanthurus type. I purposely introduced it last & bought a slightly bigger specimen so it can hold its place when it comes to feeding. The YT was v. shy at first, always hiding when anyone came near the tank .. only began feeding with the rest of the pack about 5 days after being introduced. Phew, I was getting worried that it wld starve to death like a smaller one I tried to introduce a few mths ago.

This poor YT got bullied and chased by a fully grown domino damsel who has reigned terror & has been impossible to remove w/o causing havoc to the rockwork setup. the YT never started eating, it just got thinner & thinner and I think finally just withered away.

[Strongbad]

If they are put in at the same time, it's likely they will live in peace because they have not establish their territory yet...

If you have an established hippo, the PBT is likely to be killed...

[WLSS]

Thank you all, for those who shared.

Fortunately for me, the PBT and the hippo get along well now , though the PBT was quite aggressive at first. Phew!

I think sometimes it depends on your luck, other than the nature of the fish's "personality", size of your tank and the way you landscape the rocks. Now, my Flame Angel is harrassing my Bartlett ever since I introduced the latter into the tank

[]v[edia]

juz got one PBT today.. So far.. my Hippo n PBT nv ever bother abt each other.. juz feed them with brine shrimp.. so is it Pretty healthy as the PBT adapt fast n Eat after a few min ?

[Tigger]

my pbt and bt no problem with each other

[Nic a Jon]

Hihi

Since we r into Tangs, I have a question....

I have now a 2.5 inch purple tang and I am thinking of getting a 2 inch yellow tang.

It is quite apparent that they will fight if i add the YT in.

Is there anyway to prevent this from happening?

[strat]

Hihi

Since we r into Tangs, I have a question....

I have now a 2.5 inch purple tang and I am thinking of getting a 2 inch yellow tang.

It is quite apparent that they will fight if i add the YT in.

Is there anyway to prevent this from happening?

Nope. Unless you have a big tank and your YT is much bigger than yr PT.

There is a high chance the PT will bully the YT to its death.