Need to know aquarium size for purple tang

[christwendt]

I have a 25g and upgrading soon. The biggest fish I want to keep is a purple tang. I already have my sump picked out as I got a great deal online. The dimensions are 39″ long x 16″ wide x 15″ high. Can anyone recccomend a tank that will allow for a purple tang and will fit this sump? Will this tank work?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

4x2x2 is about the smallest tank I would personally house one in long term.

 

[kados]

I would say minimum of 125g. Purple Tangs can get quite territorial.. they'll obviously survive in a smaller tank but considering the health of it long term and of any additional fish too anything smaller is not ideal once full grown.

 

[X-37B]

I have 2 tangs in my 120. Tomini and convict.
The tank is to small for the convict and it will be going into my upgrade or a local 500 gal.
I would not put a purple tang in anything smaller tham a 6' 180 and preferable an 8' 240.

 

[Gtinnel]

I have a purple tang in my 125g and I wouldn't go much smaller. I think a 4' tank could work as long as it's still over 100 gallons. Just remember that the smaller the tank the more likely it is for the fish to be aggressive. My purple tang isn't too bad but he is definitely the dominant one in the tank.

 

[blaxsun]

Speaking only with respect to the Innovative Marine 100-gallon tank and APS stand, yes, it does look like the sump you purchased should fit (if this is the Nuvo SR80 EXT/INT 100 APS Stand):
• Interior Length: 44.25" (1123.95mm)
• Interior Width: 19.31" (490.47mm)
• Interior Height: 33.75" (857.25mm)

 

[Tamberav]

I think that tank is big enough for a single smaller species of Tang like a purple. Anything 4x2 or larger. If you want a "Tang gang" then I would go with a larger 6 foot tank. Remember, purples can be one of the more mean/nasty tangs.

Here is a list created on R2R:

Tank sizes for tangs: Help us create a list!

Let's put our heads together and come up with a good general rule of thumb for tanks sizes for specific tangs in gallons and in feet. Here is a list of tangs: (please let me know if I missed any) FISH - Minimum Gallons - Minimum Tank Size in Feet Achilles Surgeonfish - 180g - 6 ft...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[G Santana]

I have a purple about 4.5" and a yellow about 3.5" in my 130 gal and I believe I'm all tang'd out.
The tank has enough room for my 5 fish and more than enough room for each to have their own cubby keeping the squabbles to a minimum.

 

[christwendt]

4x2x2 is about the smallest tank I would personally house one in long term.

So the 19inch tall is too shallow ?

 

[christwendt]

I have a purple about 4.5" and a yellow about 3.5" in my 130 gal and I believe I'm all tang'd out.
The tank has enough room for my 5 fish and more than enough room for each to have their own cubby keeping the squabbles to a minimum.

How long did it take to go from 2 inch to 4.5 inches. Are we talking multiple years to out grow the tank or a year?

 

[christwendt]

I think that tank is big enough for a single smaller species of Tang like a purple. Anything 4x2 or larger. If you want a "Tang gang" then I would go with a larger 6 foot tank. Remember, purples can be one of the more mean/nasty tangs.

Here is a list created on R2R:

Tank sizes for tangs: Help us create a list!

Let's put our heads together and come up with a good general rule of thumb for tanks sizes for specific tangs in gallons and in feet. Here is a list of tangs: (please let me know if I missed any) FISH - Minimum Gallons - Minimum Tank Size in Feet Achilles Surgeonfish - 180g - 6 ft...

www.reef2reef.com

Awesome thank you for the reference

 

[christwendt]

Speaking only with respect to the Innovative Marine 100-gallon tank and APS stand, yes, it does look like the sump you purchased should fit (if this is the Nuvo SR80 EXT/INT 100 APS Stand):
• Interior Length: 44.25" (1123.95mm)
• Interior Width: 19.31" (490.47mm)
• Interior Height: 33.75" (857.25mm)

Wonderful it has side access too so the brace shouldn’t get in the way.

 

[christwendt]

I would say minimum of 125g. Purple Tangs can get quite territorial.. they'll obviously survive in a smaller tank but considering the health of it long term and of any additional fish too anything smaller is not ideal once full grown.

Would it only be aggressive to other tangs ? What if I have no other tangs.

 

[Gtinnel]

Would it only be aggressive to other tangs ? What if I have no other tangs.

I can only say for my purple tang but he basically is only aggressive to the tomini tang (which is my only other tang). I have seen him chase off my melanarus wrasse but that is pretty rare.

 

[G Santana]

How long did it take to go from 2 inch to 4.5 inches. Are we talking multiple years to out grow the tank or a year?

I've had them just under a year and they have grown about a half inch give or take

 

[kados]

Would it only be aggressive to other tangs ? What if I have no other tangs.

My Purple Tang has grown more aggressive as it's gotten bigger. It was aggressive towards a Yellow Tang naturally but I had a Hippo in there who was boss of the tank and kept the Purple in check to a degree. This is when the Purple and Yellow were tiny. I've separated the Yellow Tang and Hippo to a 187g so Purple is no longer with any tangs in a FOWLR with a puffer, clowns and Cardinals. He does nip at my Bengaii Cardinals and any new additions when introduced but then settles a bit. But if they are similar shape or color it can be an issue.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I have two Tangs in my 5' long 150 are a Purple Tang and a Blue Eyed Kole Tang. No problem between the two, ever, but I wouldn't chance a third Tang. The Purple likes to hang out near one rock cave on one end of the tank, and glide to a rock cave at the other end. I think the consensus on a Purple Tang is probably a 6-foot tank or greater, so I have a 5... you are looking at a 4... (?) Might work in the 100-gallon IM "depending" on the other fish-- type and load. Best wishes!

 

[TheDragonsReef]

125g+ imo