Minimum Tank Size Discrepancy

Instigate · Oct 1, 2017

So I'm trying to plan out my stock list but I'm seeing a big disparity between some suggested minimum tank sizes for some fish.

For example, I'm wanting to have 3 tangs of different genus. I like the Atlantic Blue Tang, but Saltwaterfish.com and Blue Zoo Aquatics recommends a 70 gallon tank minimum while Live Aquaria recommends a minimum tank size of 180 gallons. And again for the Desjardini Sailfin Tang. Live Aquaria says 180 and Blue Zoo Aquatics says 125 with Vivid Aquariums suggesting 120.

I have a 135 Gallon 6 foot tank And this is my current possible stock list but if I can house an Atlantic Blue and Desjardini Tang I would rather have those over the Yellow and PBT.

Acquired:
Tailspot Blenny

Possible Future Acquisitions:
Coral Banded Shrimp and Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2-3 Schooling Bannerfish (Heniochus diphreutes)
Neon Blue Goby
2-3 Zebra Barred Dartfish <-- Maybe, Haven't read about them yet.
1 or 2(If I can get a pair) Banggi Cardinal
2-3 Blue/Green Chromis <-- Maybe, I don't like the low survival rates.
Hi Fin Red Banded Goby and Red Banded Snapping Shrimp
Long Tentacle Anemone
2 Ocellaris Clownfis/possibly get black and white
Hoeven's/Melanurus Wrasse and Red Coris Wrasse
Green Mandarin Dragonet <-- Maybe, I'll see how getting a good copepod population goes.
Two Barred Foxface or Magnificent Foxface or Foxface Lo<-- Maybe/Probably, Hung up about it being venomous.
Azure Damsel
Dwarf Flame Angel or Coral Beauty Angel
Yellow Eye Kole Tang and Yellow Tang (Might try a Powder Blue Tang also)
Tridacna Clam
Blue Throat Trigger

Clean Up Crew:
-As Needed-
Trochus Snail
Cerith Snail
Nassarius Snail
Peppermint Shrimp
Emerald Crab

Corals:
-First-
Zoas
Hammer
Frogspawn
Torch

-Later-
Birds Nest
Montipora
Other Acropora
Probably a bit of everything.

lion king · Oct 1, 2017

I am not familiar with saltwater.com but blue zoo greatly underestimates tank size. Live aquaria is right on most of the time and err on over estimating the tank size. You figure a 125 and a 180 are both 6 foot tanks, and your 135 is a 6 foot tank. So in reality all 3 of these tanks would be ok for these fish, I think the length is the most important aspect for these types of fish.

Instigate · Oct 1, 2017

lion king said:
I am not familiar with saltwater.com but blue zoo greatly underestimates tank size. Live aquaria is right on most of the time and err on over estimating the tank size. You figure a 125 and a 180 are both 6 foot tanks, and your 135 is a 6 foot tank. So in reality all 3 of these tanks would be ok for these fish, I think the length is the most important aspect for these types of fish.

I was kind of thinking that, also how much rock you have in there. Mine is more on the light side.

lion king · Oct 1, 2017

This is how I do my tanks, I don't necessarily go by pounds to gallon. 1st off fish needs homes, places to sleep, hide, and feel safe. So I'm not much for the minimum aquascaping trend. You can always add rock, marine pure, seachem matrix, or other choices to add real estate for biological filtration to your sump so you don't necessarily need to add the rock to your display. Just make sure you have enough adequate spots for the fish you are adding. Consider fish that like caves, overhangs, perches, and the like.

laverda · Oct 1, 2017

I can not imagine a full grown sailfin tang in a tank as small as 180. I have a 300 and I wish I could get mine a bigger home. You have to plan for when your fish grow to adult size. Some fish will reach it pretty fast.

Instigate · Oct 1, 2017

laverda said:
I can not imagine a full grown sailfin tang in a tank as small as 180. I have a 300 and I wish I could get mine a bigger home. You have to plan for when your fish grow to adult size. Some fish will reach it pretty fast.

For sure, that's why I'm trying to find out what's the deal. I don't want to buy a fish I can't house comfortably for it's whole life.

/And yea, a 12-15" fish would seem too large for my tank I didn't realize they got that big. That's bigger than the trigger I'm hoping to add at some point.

laverda · Oct 1, 2017

Mine started of the size of a silver dollar and is dinner plate sized now. The only place I have seen a larger one is in the ocean. I have had it about 15 years now. A gentle giant. It is amazing how fast and effortlessly he can blast to the other end of my 8' tank.

mort · Oct 1, 2017

You should also consider that tank size recommendations are often just for that fish and doesn't include the extra space you need for adding multiple large species. One tang might be ok in a 100g but you might need double that for 3 to dilute the aggression.

Katrina71 · Oct 1, 2017

I'd go with live aquaria estimates on tank size too.

saltyhog · Oct 1, 2017

Be careful with the Atlantic Blue. Mine became a terror at only 3" in size. He killed a larger purple tang!

I agree that a sail fin is not a good idea in that tank. I also wouldn't try more than two of the smaller tangs. A zebrasoma (purple or yellow) with a Ctenochaetus (white tail, two spot are good bristle tooths). I have a purple and a smaller Acanthurus (gold rim) in a slightly larger tank (72x24x21) and it will be interesting to see if it will work when they get to mature size.

Instigate · Oct 1, 2017

I guess there is a reason I see so many tanks with the same types of tangs. lol Anyone have suggestions on what would be some different tangs that would be good in a 6' 135? Right now I would be looking at a Yellow Eye Kole Tang and a Yellow Tang. The Gold-Rim Tang looks cool too. I like the Kole Tang because it's suppose to be less aggressive. And Yellow Tang was the only Zebrasoma I found so far that can be housed in my 135. I was thinking about a PBT but they are suppose to be one of the more aggressive Tangs as well as having a reputation for being more susceptible to disease.

lion king · Oct 2, 2017

Check out the mimic tangs, they turn into chocolate tangs in their adult coloration. Pictures do not do this fish justice, they are generally peaceful and grow slow. I have a yellow mimic tang which mimics the heraldi angel, he has a very outgoing personality. Lavender tangs are also interesting, another fish that pictures don't do them justice. They can be somewhat plain as juveniles but really pop as adults.

eatbreakfast · Oct 2, 2017

I would also include convict tang, chevron tang, white tail bristletooth, and if you have the budget, a gem or black tang.

Instigate · Oct 2, 2017

lion king said:
Check out the mimic tangs, they turn into chocolate tangs in their adult coloration. Pictures do not do this fish justice, they are generally peaceful and grow slow. I have a yellow mimic tang which mimics the heraldi angel, he has a very outgoing personality. Lavender tangs are also interesting, another fish that pictures don't do them justice. They can be somewhat plain as juveniles but really pop as adults.