Blue Tang Tank Size

[JAAngelo]

Hi: This is my first post. I am also new to reefing. I have a 55g tank and have 2 mocha clowns, a fire fish, and a lawnmower blenny. I also have a torch, montiporas, and favia. Along with a long tentacle anemone. My daughter wants me to get Dory. I understand that after a while, I will need to upgrade my tank which I will do when it grows. I am ahead of the game by researching 120g tank AIOs. My question is if a 55g is even large enough for a 1-4” blue tang? From my understanding, they require a considerable amount of space to swim.

 

[Dbichler]

I personally wouldn’t. They need to swim too much.

 

[stevolough]

I have a 4 inch hippo in a 425 along with 2 peculla clowns and a royal gamma. I’ve had it for several years. The others I’ve had for considerably longer. Originally they were in a 75. I keep a lot of open space in the tank so there’s plenty of swimming space. It does very well and Is fun to watch. I would like to add a few more fish but I know that would be a poor decision. A hippo in a 55 is not really a good idea. And it really limits you. If you are really planning on that 120 you will be ok but you will still need to not stock to heavy. Just my two cents.

 

[JAAngelo]

Thank you both for responding. After what I read and your input, I will have a disappointed daughter but maintain a healthy tank with Nemo at least.

 

[stevolough]

I meant a reefer 425 which is about 110 gallons

 

[Zionas]

IMO they really do best long term in an 8’ 240.

 

[StPatrick89]

Hi: This is my first post. I am also new to reefing. I have a 55g tank and have 2 mocha clowns, a fire fish, and a lawnmower blenny. I also have a torch, montiporas, and favia. Along with a long tentacle anemone. My daughter wants me to get Dory. I understand that after a while, I will need to upgrade my tank which I will do when it grows. I am ahead of the game by researching 120g tank AIOs. My question is if a 55g is even large enough for a 1-4” blue tang? From my understanding, they require a considerable amount of space to swim.

These fish come from the ocean. Doesn’t matter what size tank you put them in you’re limiting their swim space. Listen, if you know you’re not going to keep it in the 55, and it’s 1”-4”, get it. Make your daughter happy. If you decided to put it in a 55 and decide to rehome it once it gets too big then do it. Too many people successful doing their own thing. It’s a small size fish at the time of purchase, a 55 is good enough. Ain’t no different than if one was shipped to any fish store and was kept in a 20G for months because nobody buys it. It happens ALL THE TIME.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Had one in a 135. Started out at 2 " and within 6 months was approaching 6 inches. Also was extremely aggressive towards most other fish. Would be one of the last fish I would pick for your situation.