40 breeder with Tangs ethical?

[Lt Nos]

So my buddy is moving and has a free mature purple tang and a powder blue w/ gold rim. I'm thinking purple ok, but both?

Currently all I have is a male leopard wrasse and a spotted mandarin. Have a Orchid dottyback on hold at the store as well though. Looking for thoughts of folks who have 40 breeder or like sizes because I'm pretty sure I know what the folks with the big tanks think.


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[jduck]

Ok for QT but not big enough to keep for any length of time. Tangs really need at least 4' preferably more.

 

[Lt Nos]

Not to sound too cynical but they really need a reef. Tanks are cages. Are you aware of behavioral characteristic changes that occur at the four feet mark? I mean I wish I could afford 400 gal in my house too, but if that's your weigh point I'd call that a bias.


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[Zack]

What behavioral changes occur at the 4 feet mark? Im a coral guy and not really in to fish so i apologize if this is a silly question.

 

[Reefltx]

If these are mature tangs than I'd say no, you maybe pull one off if its under 3". But 40g is just not large enough for any tang. I have a 60g and I don't have a tang. If you care at all for the animals you put inside your tank, I'd suggest you reconsider. Ultimately it's your choice.


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[Aqua fire/medic]

I attempted a half dollar sized yellow tang once in a smaller tank...... Never again. It lasted about 4 months. Sorry

 

[LivinTheSwreefLife]

Not to sound too cynical but they really need a reef. Tanks are cages. Are you aware of behavioral characteristic changes that occur at the four feet mark? I mean I wish I could afford 400 gal in my house too, but if that's your weigh point I'd call that a bias.


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If this is how you feel about owning fish, why do you own them? Just wondering.

 

[Mike J.]

Because I feel responsible for my pets (fish), a big consideration I'd have to keep a tang is a mature tank. Can the fish graze without you feeding it? IME as an owner of a Powder Blue I'd say no way would I keep it in a 40 gal!

 

[jedimasterben]

Arrested by the Tang Police: I Refuse to Confess! | Coral Magazine

 

[Lt Nos]

Thanks for the experience and articles. Good information!


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[PaulKreider]

I couldn't imagine having eather of those in my 55gal, I'd say wait till you get a larger tank.

 

[Lt Nos]

I was leaning away but this article brought up some very good no subjective points about this conversation. Ultimately it's about the ability for the fish to thrive in captivity. This is a full grown 5" purple tang that has been captive for four years in another tank (90). Based on his professional opinion my 40 breeder option is feasible. If I start to see signs of the fish doing anything but thriving I have friends with very large systems that would be happy to take this one.

"Now, what DOES work is to compare the length of the fish to the open water area of the tank (length plus width). Put this into a ratio to facilitate comparisons between tanks. For example, a 4-inch angelfish in an aquarium that has an open water length of 40†and an open water width of 12†would result in a ratio of which reduces to 1:13, an adequate minimum amount of space."

"Zebrasoma are also more attracted to bottom structure."

I'm going to take the purple tang, but not the powder blue.


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[Manners]

I've kept a small Kole Tang in my 40 breeder for several months now and he's the most active and heavy eater in my tank. While the Bristletooth family stays much smaller than regular tangs, I'm not sure how a purple would do.

 

[Tom Does Disney]

Paracanthurus hepatus can most certainly be kept in a 40g breeder with proper acclimation/feeding/flow/aquascape/and tank mates.

but I'm not sure about purple tangs

 

[jedimasterben]

It all depends on size, mostly - an 8" tang is not suitable for a tank that small, that's for sure.

 

[Lt Nos]

He's full grown at 5" I believe.


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[jedimasterben]

A purple tang? Not at 5", double it.

 

[Lt Nos]

Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 22.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2272); common length : 10.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5450)

Max ever recorded 8".

Common length 4.5"

http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Zebrasoma-xanthurum.html


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[jedimasterben]

I've personally seen them measured at over that.

 

[Lt Nos]

My point. It's a mature 5" purple Tang.


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