Just watched the BRS algae video and....

[gizzo12]

Is it true that you can keep a yellow tang or other algae eating tangs or fish in a small tank? Like could I keep one in a 45 gallon?

 

[gizzo12]

Is it true that you can keep a yellow tang or other algae eating tangs or fish in a small tank? Like could I keep one in a 45 gallon?

In the video they said you could keep one in a small tank for a few years.

 

[ccombs]

This is a subject of huge debate here. My personal opinion is don't do it. You can technically keep it in there when they are small. The problem is that people plan to upgrade eventually and never do/become attached to the fish and won't sell or give back to LFS. Next thing you know, you have a full size tang in your 45.

This exact scenario has played out here on the forum countless times.

 

[gizzo12]

This is a subject of huge debate here. My personal opinion is don't do it. You can technically keep it in there when they are small. The problem is that people plan to upgrade eventually and never do/become attached to the fish and won't sell or give back to LFS. Next thing you know, you have a full size tang in your 45.

This exact scenario has played out here on the forum countless times.

Good to know. Are there any algae eating fish that I could keep in there permanently?

 

[ccombs]

Good to know. Are there any algae eating fish that I could keep in there permanently?

I am sure there are several. Lawn Mower Blenny comes to mind immediately.

Also, what type of algae specifically?

 

[Copingwithpods]

If purchased small being the key factor here, tangs get big, like 7in big so if you buy a 3/4in tang heck yeah you could it in there for years! Just rehome it when it gets too big for the tank.

And ignore the tang police, just practice responsible fish keeping, in their eyes every tang needs 1,287,650 gallons minimum for a tang yet keep 20 tangs in a 120g with no algae or swimming room because everything is overgrown with corals but because it's a 4ft tank you can keep a whale in there and it's OK.

 

[gizzo12]

I am sure there are several. Lawn Mower Blenny comes to mind immediately.

Also, what type of algae specifically?

Do they need pods?

 

[ccombs]

Do they need pods?

Nope, not necessarily.

 

[ScottR]

This is a subject of huge debate here. My personal opinion is don't do it. You can technically keep it in there when they are small. The problem is that people plan to upgrade eventually and never do/become attached to the fish and won't sell or give back to LFS. Next thing you know, you have a full size tang in your 45.

This exact scenario has played out here on the forum countless times.

+1

 

[gizzo12]

Do they need pods?

Well I’m having some cyano issues at the moment but I’m pretty sure they don’t eat that anyways. I’m just curious

 

[NeSsyAqua]

sea hare!