I need suggestions for a new tang.

DirtMcGurt · Dec 10, 2019

I have a 75 gallon mixed reef tank that's well established. Fish include a pair of Wide Bar Gladiator clowns, a Watchman goby and Pistol shrimp pair, a pair of Green Chromis, and a Six line wrasse. Also, an Orange Shoulder Tang that is growing faster than I expected. It's about 4.5 inches long and about 1 inch thick at its widest point. It's super healthy and I'm afraid its running out of room. Any thoughts on this? Like, how big is too big.

If it is in fact out growing my tank... what other tangs would be a good fit for my tank when I re-home this orange shoulder tang?

LiamPM · Dec 10, 2019

I don’t want to be that guy....but

I don’t think it’s a matter of if it outgrows your tank, I personally think it already has at nearly 5 inches. Olivaceus Are one of the larger growing surgeons and I wouldn’t consider another before it's been rehomed already. But as far as surgeons in a 75 gallon the majority of the Ctenochaetus tend to be far better suited in the smaller sized aquariums

nereefpat · Dec 10, 2019

I think it's time too.

I agree the Ctenochaetus genus would be the best. Just stay away from the chevron, as they get big...So tomini, kole, two spot, truncated, white tail, and maybe one or two I'm missing.

DirtMcGurt · Dec 10, 2019

I really appreciate the honesty. I've grown so attached to this peaceful friendly tang that I've considered getting a larger tank just to keep it but that wont happen quickly so I'll have to find it a new home. I already have a guy in my club willing to take it and he has an 8ft. 300 gallon tank. I'm sure it would be much happier there.
I wanted to have another fish in mind, or ready to go, when I remove the Orange Shoulder tang just so it wont upset the balance in my tank.

LiamPM · Dec 10, 2019

DirtMcGurt said:
I really appreciate the honesty. I've grown so attached to this peaceful friendly tang that I've considered getting a larger tank just to keep it but that wont happen quickly so I'll have to find it a new home. I already have a guy in my club willing to take it and he has an 8ft. 300 gallon tank. I'm sure it would be much happier there.
I wanted to have another fish in mind, or ready to go, when I remove the Orange Shoulder tang just so it wont upset the balance in my tank.

Majority of us have been there. I think its one of those where only you will know if its time to move the tang on.

As long as you know what to look out for in terms of stunting or spacial aggression i think its perfectly fine in your tank knowing that you clearly care and are aware it may come to moving it on very soon.

Im almost in the same boat..... I have had a regal since about the size of my thumbnail, never expected her to live very long and almost forgot she was there she was so small in the beginning. Shes been the reason for going from a 3 foot, to a 4 foot and then to a 6 foot and its almost time i admit defeat and try to find her a new home. Have had her for so long i really do not want to but shes becoming more aggressive towards her own reflection, even tail-whips the glass to a point its louder than the TV and i put this down to space restrictions and she is moody with me for it.

I would personally go with a Yellow eyed Kole tang if i was you and it came to moving the orange shoulder on. Most LFS have them under drab lighting so although they are pretty dont look the most standout......if you get them under fluorescent lighting they can be one of the better looking surgeons out there and the pattern on their body becomes something special and underrated in my opinion.

But then again, in all honesty you should be planning your next upgrade to include the Orange shoulder for the next year or two!

Jon Fishman · Dec 10, 2019

Unfortunately, I would say “yes” you are ready to rehome your orange shoulder, and also unfortunately I would say no tang is the right tang for a 75g

Euphyllia97 · Dec 10, 2019

Ctenochaetus genus or smaller zebrasoma would be okay in your tank.

DirtMcGurt · Dec 10, 2019

LiamPM said:
Majority of us have been there. I think its one of those where only you will know if its time to move the tang on.

As long as you know what to look out for in terms of stunting or spacial aggression i think its perfectly fine in your tank knowing that you clearly care and are aware it may come to moving it on very soon.

Im almost in the same boat..... I have had a regal since about the size of my thumbnail, never expected her to live very long and almost forgot she was there she was so small in the beginning. Shes been the reason for going from a 3 foot, to a 4 foot and then to a 6 foot and its almost time i admit defeat and try to find her a new home. Have had her for so long i really do not want to but shes becoming more aggressive towards her own reflection, even tail-whips the glass to a point its louder than the TV and i put this down to space restrictions and she is moody with me for it.

I would personally go with a Yellow eyed Kole tang if i was you and it came to moving the orange shoulder on. Most LFS have them under drab lighting so although they are pretty dont look the most standout......if you get them under fluorescent lighting they can be one of the better looking surgeons out there and the pattern on their body becomes something special and underrated in my opinion.

But then again, in all honesty you should be planning your next upgrade to include the Orange shoulder for the next year or two!

That's really cool that you've had your Regal tang from such a small size and have changed tanks so many time to accommodate for it. I'm sure it will be hard to let her go when she gets too big.

I'm thinking the Yellow Eye Kole is my best bet. I know it will also out grow the 75 but I'm seriously looking at going to a 6ft tank. I just have to finish remodeling downstairs to have room for a tank that big. My Orange Shoulder tang doesn't seem too stressed right now but will dart across the full length of my 75 and sometimes do some circles in the end, at the corner. I swear this fish was 3 inches when I got it. Can they grow an inch in 4 months?