Black Tang!!??

[CHILL]

Does anyone out there have one of these beauties and could point me in the right direction as to feeding and care for the fish. It's not in any of my books and I have not seen anyone post anything as to owning one of these. The LFS has one in and it is by far the sweetest fish I have ever seen. So tempted to walk out of the store with it today, but did not wish to make a spontaneous purchase without some knowledge. My guess would be that it is very similar in care to that of its yellow and purple cousins with a similar disposition.

Also, this would be the first true fish in a new tank (I'll be taking out the Damsels I used to cycle) and it's about 4". Would this restrict or set a size requirement in the tank for all the fish to follow? He would be going initialy into a 120 FOWLR (other fish planned for this tank would include angels and triggers), but would most likely end up in a 180 reef (last of the LR went in today) in about 4 months to be joined by a purple tang as well as some other reef safe fish.

He's pretty pricey and I am a bit leary of shelling out the high dollars only to not be able to care for it and have such a beautiful fish go south.

Any info you could direct me to would be much appreciated. Even better would be someone who has kept this fish and knows its eating habits, temperment and survivability in captivity and could help me decide to pick him up (I don't think he'll be at the store very long).

Thanks
Chris

 

[Len]

Chris,

I've kept black tangs and they are just as hardy as any other tang. There really is no special care to keeping them. I lost one of mine to a big mantis and the other died of a bacterial infection from eating some bad algae I introduced (stomach balloned to the size of a golf ball ). This was all over a span of about 15 years, but aside from these freak incidents, they were hardy as pigs with exactly the same requirements and disposition as the other Zebrasoma (the entire genus is pretty consistent).

 

[CHILL]

Thanks Len.

Do you think there would be any issue with him being the first fish in a brand new system? The ecosystem in the tank has only been running for about 6 weeks, all params are perfect (ph 8.2, nitrite/nitrate/amon are all 0) and it's gone through its initial brown algae bloom. Should I let this one pass and hope for another to come when the tank has matured some more? Should I wait another 6 months until my 180 has matured?

Last, and possibly the most dangerous question, the LFS has hin listed for $299, but is willing to let me have him for $250 (I bought both tanks there and have a pretty good relationship going). Does this sound right? As I have never heard of the fish, much less seen one for sale, I have no basis for pricing. What dp you think?

Chris

 

[dizzy]

Of course Len is correct about the care. I have a large one I have had for several years now. I think you should learn the ropes first before you buy such a rare fish. Beginners make mistakes and the fish often pays the price, with their lives. Polish your skills before you attempt one of these dark beauties. Everything in due time.
Mitch

 

[Len]

Chris,

I'd wait until the 180g is matured if that is the tank that it will eventually be in. Black tangs, while rare and expensive, do show up regularly so there is no urgency to buy it now. $250 is a good price, but it's not an absolute steal, so waiting is a good idea. They show up online and I am very confident you'll find one again without much problem ... maybe a smaller one and/or cheaper one even.

 

[dizzy]

Chill,
As a retailer I can assure you $250 for a black tang is an excellent price. If your lfs is willing to give you prices like that for a fish you can watch eating, it would be very foolhardy to go elsewhere. Shipping and handling increase the bargin fish's price considerably. It could also come in DOA, or with parasites which are quite common. Why people feel the need to find the absolutely cheapest price on fish is beyond me. It simply encourages cutthoat competition and often causes the fish to be treated as disposable. Having a good working relationship with your local fish store can be a valuable asset to your hobby. If they are fair with you (and in this case they are) then support them unless you want to see them go out of business. I have not been seeing black tangs show up very often on price lists lately. They ususally come from Marshall Islands. Anybody that is not willing to pay $250 for a black tang, does not deserve one IMO. Some fish are extra special and should be recognized as such. The black tang is such a fish.
Mitch

 

[CHILL]

Then I am at an impass.

The fish is beautiful, healthy, seems to have a great disposition and is currently sharing a pond type display tank (4x4x1) with a smaller purple tang. The fish is priced right and I trust the LFS as he has always been honest and helpful with my hobby so far (as well as 15 years experience to call upon). As I have never seen one on the net or in a book or in a LFS, this may be a one time opportunity (I could be over-reacting, the LFS did get the fish this time and could probably get another one in the future). I have a blank slate as far as tank mates go, so I could pick others to match in size or to be smaller so as to not elicit agressive bahavior. This is a showpiece fish waiting for a place to be shown.

However, I am relatively new to the hobby. My fiance has kept saltwater before and had great success. The 2 tanks I have, while big enough to house such a fish (I think the 180 would be so much better - 6x2x2 is great swimming room), are new setups. If I were to be making a list for the order in which the fish are introduced to my tanks, the tangs would be the first in the 120 (a FOWLR with angels , triggers and tangs) and last in the 180 reef. Maybe timing is not right.

So, as I said, I am at an impass. Now that she has seen it, my fiance has put the Black Tang on top of her list of "must haves" so we are still seriously considering the purchase.

And here I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing hobby.

Thanks
Chris

 

[JennM]

I have to echo what Mitch (Dizzy) said. That price for that fish is more than good value, in particular if it has been there for any length of time.

The bitterness of poor quality lasts long after the cheap price is forgotten.

It's not like buying a car where they call came out of the same factory, and you shop from dealer to dealer for the make model and options identical from one to another... these are living things, that are captured, bagged, sold, tanked, handled.... the chances of getting something that is stressed sick or damaged depends entirely on the treatement the fish receives.

A fish that you can watch for a week or so to make sure it's healthy and eating and intact, is well worth a few extra dollars versus buying one "sight unseen" from an email or call center where your order is faxed to an anonymous wholesaler.

Of course Mitch and I are biased, as we are both retailers -- but he speaks the truth.

If price is your sole motivator and you don't give a rat's patootie if the fish lives or not - then by all means shop for price. If not... the healthy LFS fish is always the better bet, even if it costs a few bucks more.

Besides, some faraway dot-com can't help you out if your pump fails on a Friday night.


I'll get off my soap box now

The only concern I'd have for putting this fish in there now, is that he may bully more submissive fishes added later - so it would depend on what else you wanted to keep, and how much hiding space you have in your tank. I tend to want to put the bullies in last and the more peaceful fishes first.

HTH and best of luck

Jenn

 

[dizzy]

Chill,
My advice is to go back and have a chat with the boys (or gals) at your local fish store. See if they will honor that price for you down the road a bit when you are a little more prepared for such great beauty. If they are like me they will, unless the fish takes a dramatic price hike which is unlikely. They haven't quit making more just yet. In part their remoteness makes them rare in the hobby. Don't wait too long though, it is highly doubtful science based sustainability studies have been done yet. Our privilege to keep such fish may only last for slightly more than one more year.
Mitch

 

[CHILL]

Jenn,

If I gave you the impression that I was shopping mearly by price, that was not my intention and you took my asking about price in the wrong way. I was asking if the price was reasonable because I had never seen this fish for sale and have no point of reference for it. I am a firm believer in supporting the LFS and would not buy a fish sight unseen from a dot.com seller (this is just my view). The purpose of my original questions was to find how to best care for this fish and how to provide the best home for it.

What I have gathered so far is that it has the same requirements, temperment and feeding habits as other members of the Zebrasoma family. Also, that no matter how much I would like to bring this fish home, I don't know that I have an strong enough system in place yet to provide a great home for him.

Mitch, I shall take your advise and talk with the LFS and inquire about the posibility of another showing up in about 6 months.

 

[CHILL]

As a side note then. What order and which fish would you recommend for the 120 FOWLR from this list:

Black Tang
Yellow Tang
Clown Trigger
Niger Trigger
Bluefaced Angel
Imperator Angel
Porcupine Puffer

These are the fish in my fiances "must haves" and this tank is hers (mines the 180 reef in the basement).

You've all been great help. Thanks
Chris

 

[JohnD]

Chris,

If you are really, really interested in the fish, I suggest you talk to the LFS owner. Maybe you can put down half and he/she will hold the tang for a number of months. Another possibility is you buy the tang and the store holds the fish. Just some ideas.

Regards,

JohnD

 

[Anonymous]

As a side note then. What order and which fish would you recommend for the 120 FOWLR from this list:

Black Tang
Yellow Tang
Clown Trigger
Niger Trigger
Bluefaced Angel
Imperator Angel
Porcupine Puffer

These are the fish in my fiances "must haves" and this tank is hers (mines the 180 reef in the basement).

You've all been great help. Thanks
Chris

One of the tangs, the emperor angel, and the clown trigger is all I would go with. These fish get big.

 

[monkeyboy]

Mitch, I shall take your advise and talk with the LFS and inquire about the posibility of another showing up in about 6 months.

These fish are, IME, easy to get at any time. At the shop, there's always a few wholesalers with them stocked, so I wouldn't rush into buying this one for the sake of availability.

I agree with Matt, the list of fish you've selected grow very large (Clown triggers max out at 2 feet, half the length of this tank!), it's unlikely that the angels will get along w/ eachother, and theres a risk with the tangs getting along. If it were my tank, I'd do the black tang, emporer, and clown trigger, starting them all off young with the clown trigger going in last.

 

[CHILL]

Thanks.

I spoke with the LFS and he has agreed to hold it for me for a couple of months (I told him I would put a down payment or even pay for the fish and he said not to worry - he was just glad to see it swimming in his display) and he will probably go into the 180 reef when it is ready.

I can understand the agression levels limiting the # of fish, as well as overall size and the bioload increases for larger fish. The trigger in the wild can grow in upwards of 24 inches, how about in captivity? Please don't take offense, this question comes from a newbie who must now explain to his fiance that the $3500 system we bought will not house the fish she wants (she wants 2 tangs, 2 angels and 2 triggers along with the puffer!) and have never seen a fish that size in a home aquarium. She sees the fish at the stores and how even in their display tanks used for their own personal collections they are kept at higher numbers per volume of water than the guidelines such as the above (again - you are probably right and I have to defer to experience here) 1 of each maximum.

So please, help me save a fight or the potential loss of the system due to overstocking.

Thanks
Chris

 

[monkeyboy]

The trigger in the wild can grow in upwards of 24 inches, how about in captivity?

Expect at the very least half that size within a few years or sooner, still one klunker of a fish! And the problem isn't that the system can't handle it, which in a well filtered and maintained system you should have no problem, the problem is the personality overcrowding. A lot of big egos in a little glass box makes for trouble long term!

 

[fishgills]

I agree with Len, i would wait awhile.
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[Mouse]

I dont get this whole black tang thing, you spend so much on a reef setup, and then pay over the odds for a BLACK fish???? Different strokes for different folks i guess, but why people pay more for something so bland ill never understand. Its not like their super rare either, ive seen loads diving.

 

[Anonymous]

I dont get this whole black tang thing, you spend so much on a reef setup, and then pay over the odds for a BLACK fish???? Different strokes for different folks i guess, but why people pay more for something so bland ill never understand. Its not like their super rare either, ive seen loads diving.

I agree mousey. It looks just like a $15 yellow tang to me...except black. Now being a Purdue grad (black and gold school colors) I'd like to get a black and a yellow together, but at $15 for one and $400 for the other (going price of a black here in Indianapolis), I think I'll pass on that idea and stick with my convict tang.

 

[KMC]

I've never posted on reefs.org, but I'll chime in on this one (don't mean to highjack it). I'm setting up a 90 gallon reef tank at the moment (4 ft. long), and have lately been thinking about whether or not it will be possible to put a tang in the tank. The black tang is my favorite (I personally think the velvety black color on such a strikingly shaped fish makes for a very dramatic silhouette -- more pronounced than with the yellow tang). I'm concerned about how well this fish will fare in a tank as small as mine, though. The other tang option is a Tomini bristletooth (which only grows to about 6" in the wild), but I prefer the black tang. Any thoughts on how well this tang would fare in a 90? Thanks.