Tang question

[Arricefe]

At the risk of ridicule I'm asking a tang anyway. I have a 120 (4x2x2) and currently I have a large yellow and large sailfin tang. I'd like another yellow and one other TBD tang for a total of 4. I'm thinking of rehoming the 2 tangs I have and starting with 4 small ones, is this a bad idea? I'm thinking of getting all at the same time and I'd also rehome them when they got big. Thoughts? BTW the tangs I have now are the best of frenemies.

 

[Billldg]

I have the exact tank and currently have 3 tangs, a Gold Rim tang, Purple Tang, and Tomini tang. 3 is the limit for that size tank. I only have 3 to spread any aggression, but as they grow and real estate shrinks it may become a problem.

 

[BestMomEver]

I don’t see a problem. I enjoy watching them grow. Get tiny ones then rehome them when they get 4-5 inches.

 

[Arricefe]

I don’t see a problem. I enjoy watching them grow. Get tiny ones then rehome them when they get 4-5 inches.

Hi, yes that's what I'm thinking get the tangs small, get them at the same time, at them together and put them in at the same time. I would recommend when they get too big and start gettting aggressive.

 

[ca1ore]

Tank that size is already too small for a sailfin, and a push for a larger yellow. If you can rehome them, that is what I would do. I wouldn’t personally put four in a 120, regardless of size. They’re going to be competing for the same food niche.

 

[salty150]

Seriously...?

Not to be "that guy" but a 4 foot long tank is no place for one tang, much less 4.

 

[Arricefe]

Seriously...?

Not to be "that guy" but a 4 foot long tank is no place for one tang, much less 4.

Lol, there it is. But seriusly thanks for the input.

 

[DSC reef]

I'd say your fine without the sailfin, they get huge.

 

[Salty Lemon]

A 120 is a nice sized tank. If you have no trouble being aware of how big they are getting and don't mind diving in and practically drown yourself trying to catch those buggers to rehome them when they get too large, then go ahead. I wouldn't go more than three though. Me? I hate having to catch fish and tear apart my reef. It isn't worth it. I'd rather purchase a fish I can keep forever and would fit in my tank. But much that is said here is opinion. Good luck!

 

[Pbh-reef]

Would you consider a smaller bristletooth and zebrasoma tang in the tank? You may be able to keep both longer term

 

[Arricefe]

Tank that size is already too small for a sailfin, and a push for a larger yellow. If you can rehome them, that is what I would do. I wouldn’t personally put four in a 120, regardless of size. They’re going to be competing for the same food niche.

Yeah I agree it's pushing it now that's why I want to rehome them and add small ones and when they get too big rehome those.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I would go with the smaller tangs , ( Kole or Atlantic blue ) for your size tank

 

[Arricefe]

I would go with the smaller tangs , ( Kole or Atlantic blue ) for your size tank

I will definitely look into those, thanks for the input!

 

[Arricefe]

Would you consider a smaller bristletooth and zebrasoma tang in the tank? You may be able to keep both longer term

Thanks! I am going to look into smaller tangs, I guess I was just in the default mode.

 

[salty150]

OK... notwithstanding the fact that no tang belongs in a 4 foot tank...

The problem with "re-homing" is that for a lot of people it never happens.

They start off with good intentions - but then when the time comes to re-home they either are too attached to the fish that they don't...

Or they say to themselves that it seems "happy" in the small tank so it's no big deal.

If you want tangs - get a 6 foot long tank!

 

[DSC reef]

Our purple tang did wonderful for over 8 years in a 75, grew him from a tiny 2" baby.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I kept a purple tang in a 4 ft 120 for a decade or so. It was peaceful and happy as a clam...I thought.

When the time came to move the tank to a new house, the tang went to a friends 180 for temporary housing.

When the 120 was reset in my new house, I transferred all the other fish and I immediately noticed they were behaving differently. They were more active but also more calm.

Then I went to pick up my purple from his temporary home. As I watched him in the 180 it became obvious to me he was different as well. He was also much calmer. He seemed so graceful swimming in the larger tank.

The purple tang never returned to my 120. It was clear to me after this move that the 120 was too small, despite my thinking otherwise for 10 years.

Sometimes, we see things as we want, not as they are. I saw that a 120 was adequate for a decade, then I realized I was wrong. I wont ever keep a tang in a 4ft tank again. I'm not judging those who do, I have just decided I wont.

Just my thoughts on tang tank size...

 

[salty150]

Sometimes, we see things as we want, not as they are. I saw that a 120 was adequate for a decade, then I realized I was wrong. I wont ever keep a tang in a 4ft tank again.

Just my thoughts on tang tank size...

Exactly...

Anyone can justify anything... if they aren't the one who has to live in the tight, cramped space...

 

[DSC reef]

Then it goes to say that a tang will be happier in 8 foot tank if you took it out of the 6 foot tank. Sorry but our purple was fat, ate from the hand, disease free and active. I saw exactly what I saw, a healthy and colorful purple tang

 

[Halal Hotdog]

I kept a purple tang in a 4 ft 120 for a decade or so. It was peaceful and happy as a clam...I thought.

When the time came to move the tank to a new house, the tang went to a friends 180 for temporary housing.

When the 120 was reset in my new house, I transferred all the other fish and I immediately noticed they were behaving differently. They were more active but also more calm.

Then I went to pick up my purple from his temporary home. As I watched him in the 180 it became obvious to me he was different as well. He was also much calmer. He seemed so graceful swimming in the larger tank.

The purple tang never returned to my 120. It was clear to me after this move that the 120 was too small, despite my thinking otherwise for 10 years.

Sometimes, we see things as we want, not as they are. I saw that a 120 was adequate for a decade, then I realized I was wrong. I wont ever keep a tang in a 4ft tank again. I'm not judging those who do, I have just decided I wont.

Just my thoughts on tang tank size...

I feel this is the best post in this thread.

My sump is an aqueon 55 gallon, which is only 3" less wide than a standard 75 gallon tank. Can't imagine a tang in that kind of space. It doesn't have to do only about how big they get but also how much they swim. If a tang was as inactive as an angler than a tang would be happy in a 20 gallon, but that is not the case.