Help me get a Tang

Opus · Oct 5, 2017

DSC reef said:
Give me a break. Your on a reef forum. If you have an issue with any of us owning fish then your in the wrong place.

I have zero issue with it. My views are the total opposite. I just have issues with people telling someone not to keep a fish in an xx/gal tank but it is ok in a xx/gal tank when there is no way to actually know this. We are just going on what someone else has said. It is like saying someone would be happier in their room than in their closet. While true they would be much happier if they had the whole house or even better, be outside.

Cscultho · Oct 5, 2017

who or where did the logic come from for size of tank for each fish?

Are these peoples opinions or is there some logic or science behind the size of tank for a specific fish?

DSC reef · Oct 5, 2017

HB AL said:
If you want to get technical, any fish of any species in a fish tank no matter the size of the tank is not going to be better off than in its natural environment, the OCEAN. Really who decides what is the proper fish for a certain size tank, are there scientific studies that have been done. Really all it is, is someones opinion, i listen to peoples opinions and make up my own mind. I have 16 fish in a 92 gallon thriving reef, some are a good size, oh and 3 of them are fat and sassy tangs, a yellow, a purple and a hippo!

Your tank is amazing and I'm in awe every time I see it. Not everyone has the knowledge and experience or funds to house a tank like yours. You have a reefing gift my friend. I understand opinions and some can be harsh. When I first set up a tank I remember wanting to put a baby Koran angel in a 36 gallon bowfront and luckily I had someone on 3reef explain why it wasn't a good idea. I got mixed opinions with some being angry while others trying to explain why. I'm thankful I listened as that could've ended in disaster. I get where your coming from.

Opus · Oct 5, 2017

Cscultho said:
who or where did the logic come from for size of tank for each fish?

Are these peoples opinions or is there some logic or science behind the size of tank for a specific fish?

I believe it is a holdover from the freshwater days. I still hear people say "how many inches" of fish can I have in an xx/gal reef. I've been keeping saltwater fish since the late 80's and the "so many inches of fish per gallon" was used back then. People just want a chart that list fish and what size tank they can go in. To have someone tell me that a 1 inch fish in my 36" long tank has no swimming room and then you look at their tank and they have a 12"+ fish in a 70" long tank.

Potatohead · Oct 5, 2017

Cscultho said:
who or where did the logic come from for size of tank for each fish?

Are these peoples opinions or is there some logic or science behind the size of tank for a specific fish?

If fish are in too small of a tank they will stop growing externally, but their organs will continue to grow. This leads to the death of the fish. At the very least the tank needs to be large enough to prevent any of that, but at the same time the fish also needs to be be able to swim around as needed, develop a territory if necessary, etc.

zuri · Oct 5, 2017

can we close this thread please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DSC reef · Oct 5, 2017

Opus said:
I believe it is a holdover from the freshwater days. I still hear people say "how many inches" of fish can I have in an xx/gal reef. I've been keeping saltwater fish since the late 80's and the "so many inches of fish per gallon" was used back then. People just want a chart that list fish and what size tank they can go in. To have someone tell me that a 1 inch fish in my 36" long tank has no swimming room and then you look at their tank and they have a 12"+ fish in a 70" long tank.

I respect your experience in this hobby but there's gotta be some science behind this. Do you think live aquaria just guesses or goes off opinions with there fish per gallon recommendations? Not trying to be argumentative.

Opus · Oct 5, 2017

zuri said:
can we close this thread please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why, it hasn't gotten really ugly. A good discussion is going on.

Opus · Oct 5, 2017

DSC reef said:
I respect your experience in this hobby but there's gotta be some science behind this. Do you think live aquaria just guesses or goes off opinions with there fish per gallon recommendations? Not trying to be argumentative.

I would like to think that but I've never seen anything scientific posted in all my years of reading forums.

Johnn · Oct 5, 2017

Potatohead said:
If fish are in too small of a tank they will stop growing externally, but their organs will continue to grow. This leads to the death of the fish. At the very least the tank needs to be large enough to prevent any of that, but at the same time the fish also needs to be be able to swim around as needed, develop a territory if necessary, etc.

This is not even remotely correct in regards to their organs outgrowing their body... Fish keep growing regardless of the size of the tank, until the point is reached to where they die due to stress related conditions or the most likely scenario, jump out of said tank.

DSC reef · Oct 5, 2017

Opus said:
Why, it hasn't gotten really ugly. A good discussion is going on.

I agree.

Opus · Oct 5, 2017

DSC reef said:
I agree.

You must give out a lot of good advice. Strange to see someones "like" post so much higher than their actual posts!!!

HB AL · Oct 5, 2017

After many years i can say with out a doubt certain species stop growing according to the size of there cage and others just keep growing. The organ thing is a new one for me. Out of my current fish my golden trevally seems to be the kind that keeps growing.

Tahoe61 · Oct 5, 2017

TimothyTran said:
Im trying to look for a good looking Tang about around 1".... If yall see one hit me up please!

So you're having a real issue with finding small Tangs? Seems like a trip down to the LFS or tons of on line vendors would yield the product you're seeking.

Lovemyreef2015 · Oct 5, 2017

I thought this was a good read.

http://clearwatersaquarium.com/article_stocking.htm#.WdarbZ8pDqA

DSC reef · Oct 5, 2017

Opus said:
You must give out a lot of good advice. Strange to see someones "like" post so much higher than their actual posts!!!

Thank you opus. I've had a lot of great teachers from another forum including this one over the years. I'm not perfect but I try. One of the many things I love about this hobby is the people who have info to give and the willingness to learn from eachother. Sometimes that's not easy, lol

Antics · Oct 5, 2017

I have four tangs in an 80 so I'm the last person to ask about overcrowding and fish choice. With that being said, all of my fish are disease free, fed multiple times per day, and quite fat while also having no aggression issues.

That being said, I am working on a (small) upgrade for the near future.

Dsnakes · Oct 5, 2017

@DSC reef is a like machine!....and I like it!

This thread was a good read. Everybody has their own views, and it's nice when they are discussed and not forced.

HB AL · Oct 5, 2017

Antics said:
I have four tangs in an 80 so I'm the last person to ask about overcrowding and fish choice. With that being said, all of my fish are disease free, fed multiple times per day, and quite fat while also having no aggression issues.

DITTO

A Toadstool Leather · Oct 5, 2017

TimothyTran said:
Also I never said I was going to do it... while some of y’all are saying that “I’m going to do it anyways”

Id just wait until your 250g is fully set up. I really doubt the tang will last in the 20g no matter how small. Size is not the only factor when deciding how big a tank needs to be. Tangs and angelfish are active swimmers hence why despite their small size( for some tangs) they need lots of room.