Tang in a RSR250

[drcole]

Is it possible to house a tang in a RSR250. Ideally I would like to have a yellow tang, but would also consider a yellow eye Kole tang or bristletooth Tomini tang. Would love to get input from the pros.

 

[Jesterrace]

Definitely not. The RSR is a 54 gallon tank and even the smallest tang (ie Tomini) should ideally have the dimensions of at least a standard 75 gallon to do well long term.

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Is it possible? Yes
Is it a good idea? No
There is just not enough swimming room for a happy tang in that tank. You will likely experience aggression and a compromised immune system keeping one in that small of a tank.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

 

[Westside Guy]

That was one of the first questions I asked my LFS when my Reefer 250 was installed and they gave me a firm thumb's down!

 

[drcole]

Just trying to come up with my stocking list and that's why I asked. No longer considering, thanks for your input.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Just trying to come up with my stocking list and that's why I asked. No longer considering, thanks for your input.

Hope I didn't offend. I didn't mean for my gif to come off as harsh, but it made me laugh...

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm going to go against the grain on this one. I've seen tomini's kept in 40 breeders that were doing great. The rsr 250 is 35in x 20in. I think a single tomini would be fine given that you're not stocking with a bunch of other fish

 

[infinite0180]

Ive seen people keep baby yellows and tominis in reefer 170s... i think they just move them out once they start getting bigger. I recently watched the latest BRS videos on the BRS/WWC method and Ryan talks about how a baby tang is ok if its moved out after it gets too big... not trying to cause an arguement here but people have done it successfully and will continue to as well.

 

[Westside Guy]

I'm going to go against the grain on this one. I've seen tomini's kept in 40 breeders that were doing great. The rsr 250 is 35in x 20in. I think a single tomini would be fine given that you're not stocking with a bunch of other fish

You are limiting yourself if you do.

 

[Crabs McJones]

You are limiting yourself if you do.

Lol I know. But if they have their heart set on a tomini, thatd be the way to go

 

[Westside Guy]

I have had my heart broken before! ;Chicken

 

[DSC reef]

Just trying to come up with my stocking list and that's why I asked. No longer considering, thanks for your input.

A tomini tang would be fine in your tank.

 

[drcole]

Well now that I have heard some arguments for the other side, I will share my stocking list with you. My most wanted fish is a mandarin but that will come further down the road with an established POD population. I am also going to try and culture my own phyto and pods to keep one fat and happy closer to that time. I will seed the tank in its early stages. So a big thing is will any other of my inhabitants compete for pods? I am not looking to add a wrasse for this specific reason. I want coral to be SPS dominant so my substrate will be special grade sand to accommodate higher flow. The others on my list are some designer clown pair, a midas blenny and possible longnose hawkfish, let me know what you guys think of this list.

 

[4FordFamily]

I'm going to go against the grain on this one. I've seen tomini's kept in 40 breeders that were doing great. The rsr 250 is 35in x 20in. I think a single tomini would be fine given that you're not stocking with a bunch of other fish

It can be done but it isn’t ideal. Tangs in small quarters can get more aggressive. I don’t recommend it but it’s possible.

 

[shred5]

No... I have a RedSea 250 and bought a tang smaller than a quarter.. It was only going to be there till my large tank got done.
He grew fast and already has harassed a fish to the point I am afraid this fish is going to die. I cant add any other fish either.
I am giving him away after a little more than 6 months.

It is not that he is not happy in there his territory is the whole tank.


I have had tons of tangs and I thought I could pull this off for 6 months to maybe 9 months with him being so small. I have been in the hobby 30+ years.

I also figured he was too small for my larger tank and would let him grow out in the reefer 250..

If you never are going to get a new fish or you ok with the chance he may kill some of your current fish go for it.

 

[drcole]

So my goal was to add a tang for the benefit of grazing algae and what not, what other suggestions might you have to add a beneficial algae grazer that works in a 250.

 

[Cleo]

Tail spot, lawnmower, or some similar blenny. They all love to graze.

 

[shred5]

Cherubfish angel is what I like in smaller tanks.
Seem to leave corals alone and a little less aggressive than other pygmy's. Pygmy angels can be come aggressive towards certain fish occasionally.
They remain pretty small too and pretty cheap in price while being pretty cool looking.

 

[Jesterrace]

I agree that the cherubfish is an excellent suggestion and they are more brightly colored than any of the small bristletooth tangs. A starry blenny could also work in that tank.