Help identifying tang

ElectricLove · Feb 6, 2020

Hi,

we recently did a deal where we bought all of the residents of a tank which was being broken down for sale. Mostly coral but a few fish as well.

1 Green Mandarin Goby
2 clowns
1 “dwarf” tang

I don’t think something called a dwarf tang really exists and am confident they didn’t know what they were talking about. He is small tho, he came out of a 50g tank. He is presently in a smaller tank at our house until his permanent mansion is done which is a 150g tank he can swim in.

I am just hoping someone can help me identify him via photos because I’ve had no luck in my books and online research finding one that looks exactly like him...

Topekoms · Feb 6, 2020

That is not a dwarf tang there is no such thing. That is a Desjardins sailfin tang. What size tank do you have? They require at least a 180 gallon tank

Scrubber_steve · Feb 6, 2020

Topekoms said:
That is not a dwarf tang there is no such thing. That is a Desjardins sailfin tang. What size tank do you have? They require at least a 180 gallon tank

@ElectricLove, anything you say may be used as evidence against you in a Tang court of law.

You have the right to remain silent.

ElectricLove · Feb 6, 2020

That is what I figured (no dwarf tang), the people I got it from said it was and that he won’t grow anymore from where he is now.

He is temporarily in a 25g cube which seems to suit him fine while he is as small as he is now but he absolutely won’t be staying there for more than a week or two. He will move to our semi-circular 150g tank which is quite tall and provides some really nice swimming space.

If (when) he is outgrown of that tank we will find him a new home, we don’t want him to be unhappy or not have enough space to live his #bestlife

vetteguy53081 · Feb 6, 2020

+1 on desjardini

ElectricLove · Feb 6, 2020

So this site sells them and says “50g min”; what’s the deal with that?

Desjardinii Sailfin Tang - Saltwater Fish - Tangs

The Desjardins Sailfin Tang, Zebrasoma desjardinii, is also known as the Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang, Desjardin's Sailfin Tang, or the Red Sea Sailfin Tang. Its body morphs change depending on its age: the juveniles are solitary and tend to spend time hiding among live rockwork. Adults develop...

www.saltwaterfish.com

Topekoms · Feb 6, 2020

cause they don't have correct information. I have one and there is no way that a 50g will work. They get quite large

ElectricLove · Feb 6, 2020

Topekoms said:
cause they don't have correct information. I have one and there is no way that a 50g will work. They get quite large

Ok, I guess I should not trust the websites that sell fish in general? Do you recommend one that is accurate?

do you think he will be able to live his #bestlife in our semi-circular 150g tank or eventually will need even bigger?

SudzFD · Feb 6, 2020

I’m sure your 150 will be great for him. That’s a large tank.

ElectricLove · Feb 6, 2020

By the way, THANK YOU! I really appreciate the insight and quick identification, I feel better about planning for him now that I know what he really is...

NowGlazeIT · Feb 6, 2020

ElectricLove said:
So this site sells them and says “50g min”; what’s the deal with that?

Desjardinii Sailfin Tang - Saltwater Fish - Tangs

The Desjardins Sailfin Tang, Zebrasoma desjardinii, is also known as the Indian Ocean Sailfin Tang, Desjardin's Sailfin Tang, or the Red Sea Sailfin Tang. Its body morphs change depending on its age: the juveniles are solitary and tend to spend time hiding among live rockwork. Adults develop...

www.saltwaterfish.com

50 gallon custom long maybe. I go with the 4feet rule. Tangs need room to burst, duck,dip,dive and dodge!

ElectricLove · Feb 6, 2020

NowGlazeIT said:
50 gallon custom long maybe. I go with the 4feet rule. Tangs need room to burst, duck,dip,dive and dodge!

to be clear, I never put him in 50g, the guy I got him from had him in one. It looked fairly standard.
Our semi-circle is more than 4’ wide

Topekoms · Feb 6, 2020

I personally wouldn't put one in less than a 6ft tank knowing how large they get. But again that's just me. As far as a site to suggest I would look at several and find the combined agreeing information. I never trust just one.

ElectricLove · Feb 6, 2020

The front glass, because it is semi-circle is actually over 7’ long. The back glass, however, is 5’ long.

Assuming they are content swimming at a slight angle across the front bow, he will have a full‘ of distance before he would have to turn around...

NowGlazeIT · Feb 6, 2020

ElectricLove said:
The front glass, because it is semi-circle is actually over 7’ long. The back glass, however, is 5’ long.

Assuming they are content swimming at a slight angle across the front bow, he will have a full‘ of distance before he would have to turn around...

That’s good. It’s not always about the amount of gallons but the amount of open space and hiding space. Sounds to me like You got this!