I need Help.

[michael_cb_125]

I have been trying to decide on a tang for my 240. I am letting megan decide which one to add. (I do have some say-so in this)

The fish at the very top of her list is the NASO Tang.
I know they can get 18 inches long. I know I can get one at around 2.5 inches. I know that they are "supposed" to be peaceful. I know that an 18' fish would add a hell of a bio-load to a tank. I know that my tanks bio-filtration would build up to support this fish. I know that if I "did" get one I would have to scratch off two or three other fish. (to make up for bio-load and space) I know that I do like them.
I do not know what I am thinking. (would I really get one)
I do not know anyone around me that has one.

What should i do? Would this be a good reef fish. Do they knock out algea like other tangs. How fast do they grow?
YES?NO?
~Michael
I need an expert

[brandon]

the naso tangs are great for algae. I had one for a while but lost it last month to ick. They are peaceful and did not bother any of my corals.

[AQTCJAK]

Michael I have had them in reefs & they do great growth is not fast at all

[BoomerD]

Beautuful fish, but they DO get big...and will indeed outgrow the 240 over time. I was given one at about 3 inches, and within a year he was about 5"...and since I only had the 90 operational, I found him a new home in a much larger tank.

[michael_cb_125]

Yep, and I know that if I got one Megan (and I) would get attatched. So I guess this will be a fish that I will leave in the ocean. I have thought about this fish before, but I figured I would get a few more opinions one more time.
~Michael

[Dentoid]

How about an Achilles tang!

[BoomerD]

One often underlooked tang is the Atlantic blue tang,
Acanthurus coeruleus

As a juvenile, it's hardly a blue tang:



But when it comes into it's adult coloration, it's gorgous:

[rmlevasseur]

OK, man-to-man lesson #1:

Never ever ever base your decisions on the advice of a female, unless that female happens to be your mother (and if that's the case, ALWAYS take it).

Take that all you women out there!!!!

Now, with that out of the way, I thought you already had all your fish picked out for this tank? If I recall you were also looking into larger angels? I really love my purple tang. Lots of personality, so far not aggresive at all, swims all around the tank, very easy to feed, slow grower, very pretty...what more could you want? Plus, being a Vikes fan, he's already got their colors!

A 240 is big, but even with 6 smaller fish in my 180, I already feel that I am at or extremely close to my limit. Its not the waste they produce that worries me, its the decay from uneaten food that gets trapped before they can eat it.

[BoomerD]

I definitely can't say anything bad about the purple tangs. One of my favorites for sure, as long as they're added last. They can get a bit...rambunctious with newcomers...

[michael_cb_125]

I do have many of the fish I want picked out. but I have been looking very deeply at what I am adding. I just cant decide on a few things.
How large to the atlantic blue tangs get?
~Michael

[BoomerD]

From WetWebMedia:
"Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch & Schneider 1801, the Atlantic Blue Tang; though not as dazzlingly beautiful as the other two "Blue Tangs" (Paracanthurus hepatus & Acanthurus leucosternon) this Caribbean surgeon makes a fine aquarium addition. One of a handful of Acanthurus that are overall yellow as juveniles, the Atlantic Blue Tang stays small enough for modest sized aquariums. "

From MarineDepotLive:

"Maximum Size: the Acanthurus coeruleus grows up to 10 inches.
General Size Specifications: The small size will come to you generally 2 to 3 inches; the medium generally 3 to 4 inches; the large generally 5 to 6 inches.
Minimum Tank Size: The Atlantic Blue Tang prefers a tank of at least 100 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.
Diet: The Acanthurus coeruleus is a herbivore and likes to eat Dried Seaweed (best), marine algae, mysid shrimp, Spirulina, Romaine Lettuce (blanched) , fresh seaweed, and other meaty treats.
Level of Care: The Atlantic Blue Tang is a medium maintenance fish.
Behavior: The Atlantic Blue Tang may act peacefully toward other fish.
Hardiness: This is a hardy fish.
Water Conditions: Keep water quality high (SG 1.020 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F).
Range: the Caribbean.
General Notes: The Atlantic Blue Tang; though not as dazzlingly beautiful as the other "Blue Tangs" makes a fine aquarium addition. As juveniles their coloration is yellow with a blue ring around the eye. This coloration gives way as an adult to several shades of blue depending on the mood of the fish. Best kept singly and usually well-behaved in larger aquariums, this fish may become biligerent in smaller tanks. If underfed may nip large-polyped stony corals. Some adults may have a yellow tail."

[michael_cb_125]

Thanks