Tang in a 40b?!

noxel56 · Feb 12, 2020

Hello I am 14 years old and new to the reef aquarium scene. I was wondering if it would even be possible to house a tang, preferably a tang from the bristletooth family, in a 40b with a minimal livestock. I was planning 2 clowns, some sort of tang, a McCosckers flasher wrasse, a molly miller blenny, and a yellow watchman goby. Tang police please don’t come and arrest me

TheShrimpNibbler · Feb 12, 2020

noxel56 said:
Hello I am 14 years old and new to the reef aquarium scene. I was wondering if it would even be possible to house a tang, preferably a tang from the bristletooth family, in a 40b with a minimal livestock. I was planning 2 clowns, some sort of tang, a McCosckers flasher wrasse, a molly miller blenny, and a yellow watchman goby. Tang police please don’t come and arrest me

I’m also 14 and I have a 45 gallon tank, so I’m in a very similar situation! I know it’s tempting, but for the tang’s sake, I wouldn’t put one in there. A 40 breeder is only 3 feet long, so it’s certainly not optimal conditions for any tang. The good news is that there are many other great fish options for a tank that size, and I would be happy to help in any way I can.

CuzzA · Feb 12, 2020

You could. It may outgrow the tank, especially if you don't have an open aquascape. It may become aggressive toward other fish. You will be fighting higher nutrients compared to adding appropriate fish for a 36" tank. Tangs are pigs. They eat and crap constantly and must be fed algae. So if you don't have excellent nutrient exportation and husbandry skills you could be setting yourself up for a system that is a constant battle.

noxel56 · Feb 12, 2020

CuzzA said:
You could. It may outgrow the tank, especially if you don't have an open aquascape. It may become aggressive toward other fish. You will be fighting higher nutrients compared to adding appropriate fish for a 36" tank. Tangs are pigs. They eat and crap constantly and must be fed algae. So if you don't have excellent nutrient exportation and husbandry skills you could be setting yourself up for a system that is a constant battle.

My aquascape is very open. I was planning on having an algae clip. My dad maintains tanks for a living so he’d be cleaning it pretty regularly. (Sorry for the bad pic)

TheShrimpNibbler · Feb 12, 2020

noxel56 said:
My aquascape is very open. I was planning on having an algae clip. My dad maintains tanks for a living so he’d be cleaning it pretty regularly. (Sorry for the bad pic)

The problem with tangs in smaller tanks like yours is less they are restricted by dense aquascapes, but more that the tank itself simply isn’t big enough. Unless you want to move the tang once it grows to a larger size, putting a tang in your tank isn’t gonna be a smart choice.

CuzzA · Feb 12, 2020

noxel56 said:
My aquascape is very open. I was planning on having an algae clip. My dad maintains tanks for a living so he’d be cleaning it pretty regularly. (Sorry for the bad pic)

If your dad is an aquarium servicer I wouldn't worry too much. He would easily be able to rehome it I'm sure and if he has experience then it sounds like you're in good hands.

The downside to knowing you're going to have to rehome a fish eventually is if you build a really nice reef you may do a lot of damage trying to catch the fish. A trap helps.

Gareth elliott · Feb 12, 2020

may i suggest instead a dwarf angel? Similar shape, similar algae eating proclivity. There is a chance at nipping but if avoid the very fleshy lps this is closer to 25-30% of the time with some species. Mine have been model citizens in my tank with mostly acropora, euphylia and gorgs. Most importantly the smaller species will be fine(only one no multiples). For its whole life in a 40b. Largest i would look at would be a coral beauty and around its 4 inch max size.

noxel56 · Feb 12, 2020

Gareth elliott said:
may i suggest instead a dwarf angel? Similar shape, similar algae eating proclivity. There is a chance at nipping but if avoid the very fleshy lps this is closer to 25-30% of the time with some species. Mine have been model citizens in my tank with mostly acropora, euphylia and gorgs. Most importantly the smaller species will be fine(only one no multiples). For its whole life in a 40b. Largest i would look at would be a coral beauty and around its 4 inch max size.

I plan on having a zoa garden and I heard they have a taste for zoas. I’ll look into it though.

bsr2430 · Feb 12, 2020

Just remember one thing, when you buy a tang from local LFS, it’s usually in a 20G tank, and probably for months too!

I had a Blue Tang when I was your age in a 10G tank, she was probably an inch long. I had to re-home her I think, long time ago!
I would tell you to put that money into coral rather then a Tang for that tank.

By the way, sweet tank! That’s not your typical 40G!

noxel56 · Feb 12, 2020

bsr2430 said:
Just remember one thing, when you buy a tang from local LFS, it’s usually in a 20G tank, and probably for months too!

I had a Blue Tang when I was your age in a 10G tank, she was probably an inch long. I had to re-home her I think, long time ago!
I would tell you to put that money into coral rather then a Tang for that tank.

By the way, sweet tank! That’s not your typical 40G!

Oh thank you! I’m really excited to start in this *sigh* expensive journey. Since my dad does maintenance he gets all his fish wholesale. I really want that centerpiece fish with loads of personality which is why I turned to a tang, and now considering a dwarf angel. I want a softie reef with lots of movement so idk if the angel would have an expensive feast one night. I’ll do some more research but tan skin for the reply.

noxel56 · Feb 13, 2020

So

TheShrimpNibbler said:
I’m also 14 and I have a 45 gallon tank, so I’m in a very similar situation! I know it’s tempting, but for the tang’s sake, I wouldn’t put one in there. A 40 breeder is only 3 feet long, so it’s certainly not optimal conditions for any tang. The good news is that there are many other great fish options for a tank that size, and I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Sorry for the late reply. What would you stock a 40b with? Also is yours a 45 cube because I love those tanks.

CuzzA · Feb 13, 2020

noxel56 said:
Oh thank you! I’m really excited to start in this *sigh* expensive journey. Since my dad does maintenance he gets all his fish wholesale. I really want that centerpiece fish with loads of personality which is why I turned to a tang, and now considering a dwarf angel. I want a softie reef with lots of movement so idk if the angel would have an expensive feast one night. I’ll do some more research but tan skin for the reply.

Soft corals will probably be safer than LPS or SPS with a dwarf angel. Many species have toxins are said to be noxious. I wouldn't know as I don't eat coral, but softies with an angel would be the safest bet. Especially since softies generally grow faster and don't generally suffer from colony decline like SPS, for example.

noxel56 · Feb 13, 2020

CuzzA said:
Soft corals will probably be safer than LPS or SPS with a dwarf angel. Many species have toxins are said to be noxious. I wouldn't know as I don't eat coral, but softies with an angel would be the safest bet. Especially since softies generally grow faster and don't generally suffer from colony decline like SPS, for example.

Honestly I was really interested in a softie reef with a few lps from the start. I really like the movement associated with those types of corals. May I also ask how you would stock a 40b?

CuzzA · Feb 13, 2020

noxel56 said:
Honestly I was really interested in a softie reef with a few lps from the start. I really like the movement associated with those types of corals. May I also ask how you would stock a 40b?

Gobies with a pistol shrimp, small peaceful blennies and cardinals. Maybe a springeri damsel, small fairy wrasse, clown pair with a bubble tip anemone. Captive bred if possible. I like a reef with a lot of fish and since a 40 breeder eliminates most bigger species of wrasses, tangs and angels I like a lot of smaller fish as it adds a lot of action all over the tank, especially anything that forms a symbiotic relationship.

Gareth elliott · Feb 13, 2020

I dont have zoas, but my coral beauty and pygmy yellow tail never nipped my acropora, torches, hammers, mushrooms, or gorgorians. I dont keep corals outside these groups so, have no input there. The yellow tail is very aggressive to new tank mates regardless of size, would always be a last fish to add.
Some of my acros like my garf bonsia have no pe during the day and only at night which is likely related to having a dwarf in my tank.
Ime they are less likely to nip than some blennys as they get older like a sailfin or starry.

noxel56 · Feb 13, 2020

Gareth elliott said:
I dont have zoas, but my coral beauty and pygmy yellow tail never nipped my acropora, torches, hammers, mushrooms, or gorgorians. I dont keep corals outside these groups so, have no input there. The yellow tail is very aggressive to new tank mates regardless of size, would always be a last fish to add.
Some of my acros like my garf bonsia have no pe during the day and only at night which is likely related to having a dwarf in my tank.
Ime they are less likely to nip than some blennys as they get older like a sailfin or starry.

I didn’t know sailfins would nip. I guess I’ll try and go with a tailspot. I really want a Midas blenny but I think it would be to aggressive in that size tank.

noxel56 · Feb 13, 2020

CuzzA said:
Gobies with a pistol shrimp, small peaceful blennies and cardinals. Maybe a springeri damsel, small fairy wrasse, clown pair with a bubble tip anemone. Captive bred if possible. I like a reef with a lot of fish and since a 40 breeder eliminates most bigger species of wrasses, tangs and angels I like a lot of smaller fish as it adds a lot of action all over the tank, especially anything that forms a symbiotic relationship.

Yeah I kinda brought that into consideration aswell. I might skip on the tang/angel and have a McCosckers Falsher Wrasse as my centerpiece fish. I like lots of gobies and blennyies aswell.

SudzFD · Feb 13, 2020

CuzzA said:
You could. It may outgrow the tank, especially if you don't have an open aquascape. It may become aggressive toward other fish. You will be fighting higher nutrients compared to adding appropriate fish for a 36" tank. Tangs are pigs. They eat and crap constantly and must be fed algae. So if you don't have excellent nutrient exportation and husbandry skills you could be setting yourself up for a system that is a constant battle.

this.

yes you could house a small juvenile tang for some time. But just be prepared for him to move on after a while.

Bfragale · Feb 13, 2020

noxel56 said:
My aquascape is very open. I was planning on having an algae clip. My dad maintains tanks for a living so he’d be cleaning it pretty regularly. (Sorry for the bad pic)

That’s a good lookin 40b.
it’s an exciting hobby. I think you will have years of enjoyment. My biggest suggestion (wish I had done it in the beginning) Quarantine YOU FISH AND CORALS- (or at lease dip your corals if not QT) this will save you head aches and problems later. Unless you are like I was: I added whatever I liked at the lfs. This was before the internet and the Availability if information and without a mentor in the hobby. I started with zero knowledge except I knew I wanted a reef tank. Ive dealt with all kinds of pests, Diseases, bacteria, Algae’s, fighting fish etc. I learned a lot but all the hard way lol.

it’s awesome your father is knowledgeable in the hobby, and that it’s 2020 and information is more readily available now then ever before-Especially in this hobby. If I was you, and this is just a suggestion, I would do all of the cleaning, water changes, dosing and treating etc. yourself with your father. This way you get hands-on experience And will probably learn a lot from him. Plus I’m sure he will enjoy spending that time with you, and when your old you will appreciate it as well.

Most importantly have fun. Take care my friend and happy reefing!