animalrie Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 Is this a suitable sized tank for a tang? If so, what kind of tang? I've seen it done in a 40 breeder or two. This is what I was thinking of stocking: 1 sixline wrasse 2 ocellaris clowns 1 firefish 1 yellow watchman goby 1 yellow tang??? Thanks!
matty0206 Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 I used to think it might be ok untill I went to my lfs one day. They have a yellow tang in there main display that is about 10" long and about 8" tall and all he does is swim around like mad, hes huge. I think if you did this it would have to be a baby and then either go to a bigger tank later or you would have to get a bigger tank. Most online retailers recommend a minimum of 100 gallons. So my vote is no!
animalrie Posted May 16, 2008 Author Posted May 16, 2008 Thanks for your opinion. I'm going to add a poll... Edit: Also, when you vote, please give a reason why...
Charlie97L Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 Thanks for your opinion. I'm going to add a poll... Edit: Also, when you vote, please give a reason why... nope, stock according to the adult size of the fish. also, keep in mind, even as little guys, tangs poop a LOT, so you'll have to have a pretty beefy skimmer on a tank that size if you did. i wouldn't put a tang in anything less than a 90. heck even some 300 gallon tanks aren't big enough for the fish they're in, because the coral takes up too much space after it grows out, and there's no swimming room. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-10/totm/index.php this is one of the few examples i've seen that prioritizes swimming room. also oregon reef did as well.
constantocean Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 I think you could probably keep one if you bought it young for a good year before you'd have to swap it out. But that's not really fair to the fish, if you're gonna get it you should be prepared to care for it for it's entire life span, it's kinda like getting a puppy and then when it starts to lose its cuteness and grow into a dog you just give it away. Doable, but not necessarily the best choice.
glennr1978 Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 I voted "other". It certainly can be done (check out my 40g), but there are a few factors to consider first. 1. get a small one. I don't think a large tang would do well in a 55g tank. 2. As previously noted, tangs are serious poopers so you will need a sufficient skimmer to handle all that pooping. 3. Even if you get a small one, he's gonna grow. You need to have a plan for him once he starts to get to big for your tank. However, I've had mine for 6 or 7 months and he doesn't really look like he's grown at all (yes, he is very healthy, just hasn't hit a growth spurt I guess). 4. The first 3 things to consider are pretty obvious, this one's kinda my personal theory. I believe that not only do SPS corals really enjoy alot of flow, but my tang does too. I've noticed that whenever i turn off my pumps to feed, or take pics or whatever, my tang goes nuts. He starts darting like mad all over the tank. When all the pumps are on he just cruises around picking at the rocks and appears to be very comfortable in his 40g home. So I think the tang is definitely benefitting from the high flow....something to consider for your tank. I like your fish list for your tank, and if you skim heavy enough you could probably add one or two more little fish. If you do decide to get a tang, I would add it last. They can be pretty aggressive when a new fish is added once they've established their territory in the tank.
Charlie97L Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 I voted "other". It certainly can be done (check out my 40g), but there are a few factors to consider first. 1. get a small one. I don't think a large tang would do well in a 55g tank. 2. As previously noted, tangs are serious poopers so you will need a sufficient skimmer to handle all that pooping. 3. Even if you get a small one, he's gonna grow. You need to have a plan for him once he starts to get to big for your tank. However, I've had mine for 6 or 7 months and he doesn't really look like he's grown at all (yes, he is very healthy, just hasn't hit a growth spurt I guess). 4. The first 3 things to consider are pretty obvious, this one's kinda my personal theory. I believe that not only do SPS corals really enjoy alot of flow, but my tang does too. I've noticed that whenever i turn off my pumps to feed, or take pics or whatever, my tang goes nuts. He starts darting like mad all over the tank. When all the pumps are on he just cruises around picking at the rocks and appears to be very comfortable in his 40g home. So I think the tang is definitely benefitting from the high flow....something to consider for your tank. I like your fish list for your tank, and if you skim heavy enough you could probably add one or two more little fish. If you do decide to get a tang, I would add it last. They can be pretty aggressive when a new fish is added once they've established their territory in the tank. all excellent points... i think that my main issue with this line of thinking is that a lot of people say they'll upgrade, then they don't.
SeeDemTails Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 I added my tang second to last, with the mandarin being last, but he showed no aggression. I am keeping mine in a 37 gal, and I have a 60 gal hex waiting next, and then a 180 display if needed. He has grown a little, but I think he would still be comfortable for another year or so.
EtOH_is_good Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 other. my 58 that i got came with a regal tang, it was already large at 4"+. it needed more room to swim. after seeing the regal tangs at the georgia aquarim, it was only right for me to sell. i could see keeping a small one for a short time, but you'll need to upgrade soon. also, the do need to eat a lot so volume helps dilute the resulting pollution. if you do get one make sure you have a nice open space with a powerhead generating a ton of current, so it could swim against the current.
revaltion131 Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 nope, stock according to the adult size of the fish. also, keep in mind, even as little guys, tangs poop a LOT, so you'll have to have a pretty beefy skimmer on a tank that size if you did. i wouldn't put a tang in anything less than a 90. heck even some 300 gallon tanks aren't big enough for the fish they're in, because the coral takes up too much space after it grows out, and there's no swimming room. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-10/totm/index.php this is one of the few examples i've seen that prioritizes swimming room. also oregon reef did as well. I agree with this. If adult size didn't matter, I'd have a juvenile emperor angel, such a beautiful juv. color morph. At the same time, I'm sure it is possible to keep one of the smallest tangs in such a tank, but you'd run into issues of its overall happiness. I think 55 is a great size for some of the "larger" reef-safe wrasses, larger dwarf angels (Potter's for example), maybe even one of the small butterfly species. Copperbands that will happily eat prepared food seem to be in surplus around here. You might try some of those fishes if you are willing to look at other options.
jamesnmandy Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 as long as you are fine with catching it later on if it gets too big for the tank, i say go for it, have a sailfin tang in my 75 hex, he's quite happy, eats well, plays well with others, etc....
moneyman6891 Posted May 16, 2008 Posted May 16, 2008 weve had 2 yellow tangs in the 40 bredder display tank at work. If you get them small they should be fine
animalrie Posted May 17, 2008 Author Posted May 17, 2008 I agree with this. If adult size didn't matter, I'd have a juvenile emperor angel, such a beautiful juv. color morph. At the same time, I'm sure it is possible to keep one of the smallest tangs in such a tank, but you'd run into issues of its overall happiness. I think 55 is a great size for some of the "larger" reef-safe wrasses, larger dwarf angels (Potter's for example), maybe even one of the small butterfly species. Copperbands that will happily eat prepared food seem to be in surplus around here. You might try some of those fishes if you are willing to look at other options. I've heard copperbands will nip at corals, is this correct? By the way, thanks for all of the replies! I am leaning towards not getting a tang as I don't think I will be upgrading (but they all say that, don't they?)
revaltion131 Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 I've heard copperbands will nip at corals, is this correct? By the way, thanks for all of the replies! I am leaning towards not getting a tang as I don't think I will be upgrading (but they all say that, don't they?) Everything I've heard says that most small butterflies are pretty good, but I'd say it's just like dwarf angels. I can't speak from personal experience with the fish, though. Even then, there's an exception to every rule.
reefone Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 copperbands r a very hard fish to keep. and they may nip at corals.
herranton Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 I like your fish list for your tank, and if you skim heavy enough you could probably add one or two more little fish. If you do decide to get a tang, I disagree with this statement. I do not think that more filtration allows you to overstock your tank. This probably isn't the place to debate that, however I would not want a noob to read this and think that they could simply add more filtration every time they wanted a new fish. I voted no. I don't think that a 55 gallon is big enough for a tang. They don't require large tanks because of their bioload(although that is a factor), they need big tanks for swimming room. I don't mean to sound like the tang police but I do believe in providing a happy home for your fish. I think that at the very least, you should have a six foot long tank. How about this instead: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_di...amp;pcatid=1866
animalrie Posted May 17, 2008 Author Posted May 17, 2008 I don't think I will be going with a tang after all, though I am undecided on what I want to take it's place. I was thinking along the lines of lemonpeel angel, something like a butterflyfish, or something else. Still not sure. Thanks for all of the replies.
abe Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 i'm one of the "others" tank size for a tang really depends on a specific tang. for instance, a chevron tang i would say can go in a 55g. and the range goes all the way up to a vlamingi tang, which will outgrow almost any tank under 250g. a yellow tang will also easily outgrow a 55g. really, i recommend zero acantharus, zero zebrasomas (as they are agressive fish and get the size of a dinner plate), zero paracantharus (hope i got the name right) <-- these are just blue tangs , no naso tangs (they are the largest of all tangs), no prionurus tangs. look into ctenochaetus tangs. they stay smaller and are very peaceful fish. haha, tang in a 55 gallon. really you should research some more before placing all tangs in a general class and laughing at a tang in a tank under 90g.
Sexy Shrimp Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 I don't think I will be going with a tang after all, though I am undecided on what I want to take it's place. I was thinking along the lines of lemonpeel angel, Lemonpeels are lovely. You still have the bright yellow colour but with a beautiful blue edging too... They like to swim in and out of your rockwork and are quite shy so make sure you have lots of nooks and crannies for them to hide in at first. If you get a lemon peel you will love it!
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