Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide!

Jova · 05-16-2007, 01:26 AM

I had a purple tang a few years ago, and loved it. But I really like the way the powder blue tangs look. I have a 55 gallon reef tank with 100-120 lbs of live rock and no other tangs as of now. Can anyone recommend which tang would be better for me? Personal experiences with either in a similar tank? I can't make up my mind!

Woodstock · 05-16-2007, 09:22 AM

Get a Powder Blue if you don't have LPS corals. They are BEautiful fish!!

I have had both. The purple was extremely aggressive and the powder blue ate some of my LPS corals. I even tried two different powderblues hoping they had different tastes.

michael_cb_125 · 05-16-2007, 10:47 AM

I have a powder blue, and I love him. He has alot of personality. I have him in my sps/clam tank. I also have a frogpawn in there, he does not bother it, but I could just be lucky. Make shure he is the last fish you add, as they are very aggressive towards new additions.

Warnberg · 05-16-2007, 10:49 AM

Tangs = Ich magnets Just be prepared and get a healthy specimen. They are beautiful fish, I personally would get a powder blue or a powder brown.

saltyfishtanks · 05-16-2007, 11:48 AM

you need a tank upgrade to get a tang a 55 just is not big enough sorry but i feel that my 120 is not big enough for the tangs that I have in it as well

if you must have a tang the zebramosa species seems easyer to keep in my experiences and the powder blues are well known as hard to keep.

so Purple tang it is I have one and he took well to my FOWLR tank

I also have a scopas, yellow and goldrim tangs in my reef

Cassette87 · 05-16-2007, 11:51 AM

unfortunately i cant say anything from experience, but i can say that i like the powder blue's appearance way better!

sgoble · 05-16-2007, 11:59 AM

Tangs really need a bigger tank than 55 gallon. From what I have read a purple or powder blue need 100 gallon.

Woodstock · 05-16-2007, 12:05 PM

Good point. I feel bad with my achilles in my 4' 120

I can't wait to get a 6' tank for him

DrHank · 05-16-2007, 01:37 PM

I've done both in a 55 gallon years ago when I first got into saltwater. I shouldn't have done either. I now have one purple tang in my 110 XT tank. Honestly my 110 is stocked like it was a 75 gallon and all the fish, inverts, and corals are doing well. Although I think the powder blue is a beautiful fish, I probably wouldn't have one in less than 100 - 120 gallons. The purple (as all members of the Zebrasoma family) are hardy for tangs.

Look at woodstock's last post. The powder blue is in the same family as the achiles. I'm a real believer in no tang other than a Zebrasoma in a 4' long tank, and then only one. I'm going to add another tang to my tank as soon as the new system is up but it's a 8' long 210 gallon. Tangs need lost of room to swim.

Sorry, I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but it is the truth.

saltyfishtanks · 05-16-2007, 03:28 PM

dr.hank is right on the money here my gold rim is the same family as the powder blue and achelies and that fish proved the absolute hardest fish to acclimate to the 4' reef tank almost to death over 2-3months he only decided to eat at the last minute and he some how recovered. To top that off I had problems from over feeding until he fattened up and i could dare cutback the foods (when he began constantly grazing alge)

choose wisely i would get a scopas or yellow if you have never kept tangs
Purple is just to expensive to risk loosing

kimoy · 05-16-2007, 03:40 PM

powder blue is a nice tang. i have 5 tangs in my tank the last addition was a vlamingi(couldn't resist for $25 for 3 inch fish) and they are all doing well and fat. i know that they will outgrow their home in the future but i have a LFS that will take it back for a store credit and i can get another smaller fish.

vdituri · 05-17-2007, 12:24 AM

Thank you everyone. I know I'm not your intended target, but I love the tangs and only have a 55. I will have to wait. Until the addiction builds and I build my next generation! <insert maniacal laughter here>

Jova · 05-17-2007, 12:33 AM

I've heard a lot of people say that a 55 is too small for a tang, and you're probably right... The thing is, that I really want a tang, and I had a large purple tang in this tank for about a year before the tank was vandalized, and never had any problems. The chance of me being able to afford a larger tank any time in the next 10 years are slim to none, so I have to work with what I have. So, if I DO get a tang in this 55 gallon tank, would the purple be the best way to go? It seems that the general opinion is that the powder blues are much harder to keep.

iamkellogg · 05-17-2007, 01:59 AM

If I bought a tang I would buy what I thought would live best in the system I had presently. I can not afford to spend lots of money on a fish only to have it die of Ich or stress. They are both pretty I think it would be hard to make a wrong decision.

Kelly

SubRosa · 05-17-2007, 11:36 PM

No mention of the truly best tangs for smaller tanks,the ones that are least agressive and stay the smallest.Genus Ctenochaetus,like a Kole,Chevron,or Tominiensis.But a 55 is still too small!

05-16-2007, 01:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jova Bryozoan Join Date: May 2007 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 45 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! I had a purple tang a few years ago, and loved it. But I really like the way the powder blue tangs look. I have a 55 gallon reef tank with 100-120 lbs of live rock and no other tangs as of now. Can anyone recommend which tang would be better for me? Personal experiences with either in a similar tank? I can't make up my mind!

05-16-2007, 09:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,661 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! Get a Powder Blue if you don't have LPS corals. They are BEautiful fish!! I have had both. The purple was extremely aggressive and the powder blue ate some of my LPS corals. I even tried two different powderblues hoping they had different tastes. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

05-16-2007, 10:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
michael_cb_125 Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 3,627 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! I have a powder blue, and I love him. He has alot of personality. I have him in my sps/clam tank. I also have a frogpawn in there, he does not bother it, but I could just be lucky. Make shure he is the last fish you add, as they are very aggressive towards new additions. __________________ Owner of an Elos System 70 Now I have a jealous girlfriend!!! HaHa

05-16-2007, 10:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Warnberg Acropora Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! Tangs = Ich magnets Just be prepared and get a healthy specimen. They are beautiful fish, I personally would get a powder blue or a powder brown. __________________ Dave 240 Gallon Tall Tencor (96"L x 30"T x 18"W) 4 250 Watt MH XM10K bulbs 2-54 Watt T5 Actinic Euro-Reef CS8-2-RC Jetstream 1 Calcium Reactor 4 Tunze Turbelle stream 6000 power heads 7095 Tunze controller

05-16-2007, 11:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
saltyfishtanks Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: upstate new york Posts: 308 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! you need a tank upgrade to get a tang a 55 just is not big enough sorry but i feel that my 120 is not big enough for the tangs that I have in it as well if you must have a tang the zebramosa species seems easyer to keep in my experiences and the powder blues are well known as hard to keep. so Purple tang it is I have one and he took well to my FOWLR tank I also have a scopas, yellow and goldrim tangs in my reef __________________ 48x24x24 120gallon, 2 seio 1500, 1200gph little giant return, 4 icecap t5 w/giesmann bulbs, aquamedic 500w heater/digital controller, sump/refuge is bioballs to chetomorpha to live rock with about 3-4 inches of crushed coral bottom

05-16-2007, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cassette87 Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Palos Park, IL Posts: 1,421 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! unfortunately i cant say anything from experience, but i can say that i like the powder blue's appearance way better! __________________ Andy My 29 Gallon Reef! My DIY LED Lights Current Status - Work followed by School :Java: - 9/8/08 I'm still around people, just on a sort of "summer-time leave" Feel free to PM or e-mail me for any needs!

05-16-2007, 11:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
sgoble Tunicate Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! Tangs really need a bigger tank than 55 gallon. From what I have read a purple or powder blue need 100 gallon.

05-16-2007, 12:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,661 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! Good point. I feel bad with my achilles in my 4' 120 I can't wait to get a 6' tank for him __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

05-16-2007, 01:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! I've done both in a 55 gallon years ago when I first got into saltwater. I shouldn't have done either. I now have one purple tang in my 110 XT tank. Honestly my 110 is stocked like it was a 75 gallon and all the fish, inverts, and corals are doing well. Although I think the powder blue is a beautiful fish, I probably wouldn't have one in less than 100 - 120 gallons. The purple (as all members of the Zebrasoma family) are hardy for tangs. Look at woodstock's last post. The powder blue is in the same family as the achiles. I'm a real believer in no tang other than a Zebrasoma in a 4' long tank, and then only one. I'm going to add another tang to my tank as soon as the new system is up but it's a 8' long 210 gallon. Tangs need lost of room to swim. Sorry, I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but it is the truth. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

05-16-2007, 03:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
saltyfishtanks Sea Pen Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: upstate new york Posts: 308 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! dr.hank is right on the money here my gold rim is the same family as the powder blue and achelies and that fish proved the absolute hardest fish to acclimate to the 4' reef tank almost to death over 2-3months he only decided to eat at the last minute and he some how recovered. To top that off I had problems from over feeding until he fattened up and i could dare cutback the foods (when he began constantly grazing alge) choose wisely i would get a scopas or yellow if you have never kept tangs Purple is just to expensive to risk loosing __________________ 48x24x24 120gallon, 2 seio 1500, 1200gph little giant return, 4 icecap t5 w/giesmann bulbs, aquamedic 500w heater/digital controller, sump/refuge is bioballs to chetomorpha to live rock with about 3-4 inches of crushed coral bottom

05-16-2007, 03:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
kimoy Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 338 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! powder blue is a nice tang. i have 5 tangs in my tank the last addition was a vlamingi(couldn't resist for $25 for 3 inch fish) and they are all doing well and fat. i know that they will outgrow their home in the future but i have a LFS that will take it back for a store credit and i can get another smaller fish. __________________ 1.20 G pico RR with 2 megaflow kits, aqua c EV180 with mag12, 2x250 DE 12k halides with 2x54 T5 actinic+, 30G phlenum fuge with chaeto, iwaki 55rlt return pump connected to a sea swirl, 4 tunze 6025 inside the main tank for water circulation (2 are modded) 3 Koralias PH(2 #4's and 1 #3) sps,lps,zoas,softies,pink tip BTA tangs - yellow, unicorn, blue hippo, palini and RS Purple Blue Spot Jaw Fish red lyretail anthias pair of spotted mandarin goby wrasse - yellow corris scribble rabbit fish Clown Fish -3 percula high fin shrimp goby clean up crew - various snails and crabs, red linkia star And a 30G AGA softies with clown & diamond head goby

05-17-2007, 12:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,772 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! Thank you everyone. I know I'm not your intended target, but I love the tangs and only have a 55. I will have to wait. Until the addiction builds and I build my next generation! <insert maniacal laughter here> __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

05-17-2007, 12:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
Jova Bryozoan Join Date: May 2007 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 45 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! I've heard a lot of people say that a 55 is too small for a tang, and you're probably right... The thing is, that I really want a tang, and I had a large purple tang in this tank for about a year before the tank was vandalized, and never had any problems. The chance of me being able to afford a larger tank any time in the next 10 years are slim to none, so I have to work with what I have. So, if I DO get a tang in this 55 gallon tank, would the purple be the best way to go? It seems that the general opinion is that the powder blues are much harder to keep. __________________ 55 gallon reef tank. 100 lbs of Fiji live rock, 6" live sand bed, 1 pink haitian/condylactis anemone hosting 2 percula clowns, 2 green chomis', 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 neon goby, 1 firefish, 15 blue legged hermit crabs, 1 brittle starfish, 2 mexican turbo snails, 4 other snails, much more to come! Equipment includes a Coralife power compact setup with 2 65w 8k bulbs and 2 65w actinics, a CPR backpak and a wavemaker powerstrip running 3 powerheads. Rock on!

05-17-2007, 01:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
iamkellogg Star Polyps Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Owensville, IN Posts: 174 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! If I bought a tang I would buy what I thought would live best in the system I had presently. I can not afford to spend lots of money on a fish only to have it die of Ich or stress. They are both pretty I think it would be hard to make a wrong decision. Kelly __________________ 44 gallon Hex tank. 4 inch sand bed, 50 pounds live rock, orbit 24 hour light system, Seaclone Protein Skimmer. HOB Magnum Filter, 2 False Perculas. I also have a 29 gallon FO tank with an O clown. A 15 Gallon shrimp tank. A 29 gallon FW Angel tank. A 75 Gallon Oscar tank and a 10 gallon frog tank.

05-17-2007, 11:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
SubRosa Torch coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 520 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple tang or Powder blue?! Can't decide! No mention of the truly best tangs for smaller tanks,the ones that are least agressive and stay the smallest.Genus Ctenochaetus,like a Kole,Chevron,or Tominiensis.But a 55 is still too small!

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