Sailfin or yellow tang?

Dsilowka3 · 11-19-2008, 06:51 AM

I just can't decide...looking for opinions based on experience or simply preference.

Iraf · 11-19-2008, 07:03 AM

how bigs your tank?

Personally I'd say sailfin if your tank is 125+ gallons, they get really really big though, Yellows are cool but just to common for my taste

rothany206 · 11-19-2008, 07:42 AM

I had both in my 40 gallon. they were great untill they out grew it. The sailfin was always begging for food fat guy he was hahah

Dr.Fragenstein · 11-19-2008, 07:56 AM

I wouldn't put the Yellow in anything under a 75 and THATS PUSHING IT, the sailfin I would get at least a 180 as I have seen just about full size ones in tanks and they get about a 1', the 18" diameter in the 125 would be a little tight, I know these recommendations seem too large but I'll tell you this, I have a 3" purple in my 180 and I feel bad for him, I don't know what I'll do when he and the orange shoulder are full grown-probably get a 300!!!!
Seriously, if you want to kept them long term and HEALTHY get the BIGGEST tank you can possibly get, or choose different fish!!

Good luck and happy reefing!

artspeaker · 11-19-2008, 08:00 AM

If the tank is large enough and there are enough places for them to establish their own territory, I think you might be able to have them both - but be sure and add them to the tank in at the same time.

Personally, I love yellows because of their color. They are relatively inexpensive and are a real kick when they are eating seaweed from a clip. I have tried having more then one, but each time eventually I ended up with only one; so that's where it is now.

sostoudt · 11-19-2008, 08:34 AM

i vote sailfins from the red sea one of the best looking tank imo.
i believe there called desjardina sailfins. i know i prolly butchered the spelling

Yuri Kapustin · 11-19-2008, 08:51 AM

Sailfin.
I love the colors, the way they swim, and their personaility.

missionsix · 11-19-2008, 11:52 AM

Sailfin.....

Dsilowka3 · 11-19-2008, 12:05 PM

I agree with everyone, lol thats why this is so hard. ideally both would be great, but thats just not possible. I can currently get both at about 2" size. so very small as far as tangs go.... Either one would be kept in a 55 gal. along with a coral beauty, 2 clowns, a neon dottyback, and eventually a mandarin. I know a 55 is rather small, but im entertaining the idea now because my friends father is upgrading from his 125 and has offered it to me. the only drawback is i wont get the tank for the next 2-3 months while he sets up and prepares everything for his upgrade. After which, it'll take me another 2-3 months to get everything up, running, and stable for the 125. So on the safe side lets say id upgrade within the next 6-12 months IF i end up taking the tank. everything with the 125 actually just happened yesterday so its all a new idea and difficult to estimate a time frame. Ive read that most tangs kept in the average home aquaria wont actually reach their full size, and even if they were it would take a very long time. if either is in the 55 for say up to a year, i can only imagine its growth would be stunted significantly and might never reach the full size it can achieve in nature.
Iraf and Sostoudt, i should have been more clear, the sailfin tang i am speaking of is a desjardini sailfin from the red sea, which of course i know on its own i will have some obstacles to overcome with keeping this species. I love the bright yellow of the yellow tang, but i also love the elegance and the unique beauty of the sailfin. All of my other fish are rather common, so i think it would be nice to have this one being less common. however, anytime i walk into my lfs, the yellows are such an eye catcher....

All in all, i really still done know... i can be sure about either for a moment, then ill change my mind, pretty much i dont want to regret my purchase even though im sure id be happy enough with either (i get very attached to my fish) =0)....based on everyones opinions and what ive read though...im leaning more towards the sailfin at the moment...i guess ill just leave it to fate and whichever i decide the day im at the lfs will be the one. Thanks to everyone who added their opinions!

Jason McKenzie · 11-19-2008, 12:13 PM

Why not just wait until you get the 125 set up and cycled then you can provide a good home for either.
I have a Desjardini Sailfin and know from experience that they grow to a point 7 to 8 inches very fast. Then slow right down.
Personally I think 55G is too small for even small Tangs

11-19-2008, 06:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dsilowka3 Fire Worm Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Brunswick, NJ Age: 25 Posts: 165 Skin: Mint Karma: 143	Sailfin or yellow tang? I just can't decide...looking for opinions based on experience or simply preference.

11-19-2008, 07:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Iraf Snowflake Eel Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tulsa, Ok Age: 30 Posts: 2,356 Skin: Classic Karma: 15008	how bigs your tank? Personally I'd say sailfin if your tank is 125+ gallons, they get really really big though, Yellows are cool but just to common for my taste _________ 90g DSA - D.O.B. 11-4-08 Probably soon to have a new re-birth

11-19-2008, 07:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 2,108 Skin: Mint Karma: 26304	I wouldn't put the Yellow in anything under a 75 and THATS PUSHING IT, the sailfin I would get at least a 180 as I have seen just about full size ones in tanks and they get about a 1', the 18" diameter in the 125 would be a little tight, I know these recommendations seem too large but I'll tell you this, I have a 3" purple in my 180 and I feel bad for him, I don't know what I'll do when he and the orange shoulder are full grown-probably get a 300!!!! Seriously, if you want to kept them long term and HEALTHY get the BIGGEST tank you can possibly get, or choose different fish!! Good luck and happy reefing! _________ Big glass tank lit by thin glass bulbs.... SUPPORT YOUR LOCALS! My Tank Thread... If you have T5 questions go here... T5 Questions ...

11-19-2008, 08:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
artspeaker Spanish Shawl Nudibranch Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Age: 61 Posts: 89 Skin: Mint Karma: 577	If the tank is large enough and there are enough places for them to establish their own territory, I think you might be able to have them both - but be sure and add them to the tank in at the same time. Personally, I love yellows because of their color. They are relatively inexpensive and are a real kick when they are eating seaweed from a clip. I have tried having more then one, but each time eventually I ended up with only one; so that's where it is now. _________ Equipment: 150 gal. rectang. 48" X 24" X 36" high; reservoir filtration; Eurofil 125; 2 - Magdrive 950 water pumps; 200W heater; protein skimmer; ultraviolet sterilizer; 3 sets of power compact 96W lights Livestock: Porcupine puffer, lunare wrasse, blue tang, yellow tang, engineer goby, hermit crab, black trigger and miniatus grouper

11-19-2008, 08:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
sostoudt Giant Squid Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chesterfield, VA Age: 23 Posts: 3,685 Skin: Mint Karma: 10665	i vote sailfins from the red sea one of the best looking tank imo. i believe there called desjardina sailfins. i know i prolly butchered the spelling _________ JUST LOOK AROUND YOU

11-19-2008, 07:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
rothany206 Fire Worm Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: seattle,wa Posts: 160 Skin: Mint Karma: 374	I had both in my 40 gallon. they were great untill they out grew it. The sailfin was always begging for food fat guy he was hahah

11-19-2008, 08:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Yuri Kapustin Coral Banded Shrimp Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 370 Skin: Mint Karma: 1137	Sailfin. I love the colors, the way they swim, and their personaility. _________ Tank: 20 Gallon Tall Reaction 4 Stage Filter with UV, JBJ 65X2 PCs, Rio nano skimmer, 65 pounds LR, 15 Pounds LS, Custom temp monitors and computer fans, Rio powerheads. My Tank Thread

11-19-2008, 11:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
missionsix 3reef Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sun River,Oregon (Bend) USA Age: 36 Posts: 5,079 Skin: Mint Karma: 59821	Sailfin..... _________ My nano reef.......Born 5/25/09

11-19-2008, 12:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dsilowka3 Fire Worm Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Brunswick, NJ Age: 25 Posts: 165 Skin: Mint Karma: 143	I agree with everyone, lol thats why this is so hard. ideally both would be great, but thats just not possible. I can currently get both at about 2" size. so very small as far as tangs go.... Either one would be kept in a 55 gal. along with a coral beauty, 2 clowns, a neon dottyback, and eventually a mandarin. I know a 55 is rather small, but im entertaining the idea now because my friends father is upgrading from his 125 and has offered it to me. the only drawback is i wont get the tank for the next 2-3 months while he sets up and prepares everything for his upgrade. After which, it'll take me another 2-3 months to get everything up, running, and stable for the 125. So on the safe side lets say id upgrade within the next 6-12 months IF i end up taking the tank. everything with the 125 actually just happened yesterday so its all a new idea and difficult to estimate a time frame. Ive read that most tangs kept in the average home aquaria wont actually reach their full size, and even if they were it would take a very long time. if either is in the 55 for say up to a year, i can only imagine its growth would be stunted significantly and might never reach the full size it can achieve in nature. Iraf and Sostoudt, i should have been more clear, the sailfin tang i am speaking of is a desjardini sailfin from the red sea, which of course i know on its own i will have some obstacles to overcome with keeping this species. I love the bright yellow of the yellow tang, but i also love the elegance and the unique beauty of the sailfin. All of my other fish are rather common, so i think it would be nice to have this one being less common. however, anytime i walk into my lfs, the yellows are such an eye catcher.... All in all, i really still done know... i can be sure about either for a moment, then ill change my mind, pretty much i dont want to regret my purchase even though im sure id be happy enough with either (i get very attached to my fish) =0)....based on everyones opinions and what ive read though...im leaning more towards the sailfin at the moment...i guess ill just leave it to fate and whichever i decide the day im at the lfs will be the one. Thanks to everyone who added their opinions!

11-19-2008, 12:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jason McKenzie 3reef Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC,Canada Posts: 4,885 Skin: Classic Karma: 25308	Why not just wait until you get the 125 set up and cycled then you can provide a good home for either. I have a Desjardini Sailfin and know from experience that they grow to a point 7 to 8 inches very fast. Then slow right down. Personally I think 55G is too small for even small Tangs _________ started 8/7/02 370G 3x400W MH + 8X36W T5. 30G Refugium, Bubble king 300Ext, Profilux with 3x Doser, 2x Wavy Seas for return. OM 4-Way Closed loop. My Tank Thread Try a Search to see if your question has already been posted My Tank Blog

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Psycho Yellow Eye Tang	karcury	Diseases	2	10-19-2008 03:30 PM
yellow tang and firefish ?	BluePhish	Tropical Fish	3	05-01-2008 06:47 PM
HELP very weak yellow tang	sparkienyc	ASAP	4	02-03-2008 07:05 PM
brown tang yellow tang	chetrod	Tropical Fish	10	03-27-2006 06:39 PM
Sailfin Tang, Desjardini	stevem650	General Reef Topics	9	04-13-2003 10:46 AM