Fact or Fiction: Keep an odd number of YT's

[LBC]

I've heard that so many times from LFS guys as well as a few hobbyists online here and there.

I can understand why 3 is better than 2. or even why 5 is better than 4. Because the more the merrier, assuming the tank is huge enough to accomodate a school of yellow tangs and they are introduced simultaneously.

But it must be an odd number?

It sounds funny to me when folks say that and again I understand i they're referring to 3 instead of 2 or 5 instead of 4 but in the case of YTs they're pretty darn aggressive anyways even in a group of 5!

So I don't see how a school of for example, 8 YTs would be better off if one was removed.

I mean its not like they count each other up and fight to the death based on if their odds or evens says shoot!

Do any of yous have multiple YTs in one tank? - how many and how long they coexisted as a school?

 

[ming]

Use that rule with a grain, or bucket of salt.
Tank size should be taken into consideration, and how many other tangs there are. If there is already a few tangs in there, it doesn't matter as much.

The whole idea is that if you have 2 tangs, one will keep focusing its aggression on the other and probably will be relentless until the other tang dies (from injury or starvation).

If you have more tangs (doesn't have to be the same type), hopefully there will be enough tangs to distract the most dominant tang so one doesn't get bullied to death in a corner.

Also be mindful that less aggressive tangs should be introduced first, and if you already have 4 YT, adding in 1 more later will be tough

The odd rule generally breaks down the higher the number of tangs you have

 

[Gabe]

I have 2 that have been together for 3 years now.

 

[thirty6]

You can more elaborate? Is still very confusing. Please forgive me.

the way i understand Mings reply: 2 tangs in a tank, one will become aggressor and other may starve or be bullied to death
multiple and the aggressive SOB of lot will not know who to torment, hnce being distracted and all should be fine

 

[greg 45]

I don't think fish can count
I have clowns in trio's
Also clowns in pairs
Also different types of clowns in same tank they choose there territory