Tangs for a 120 gallon?

[littlefoxx]

What’s the growth rate like on those hippos? I plan on picking up most of my tangs from Dr. Reefs and he sales them at 2.5-4”…just curious to see how fast they could outgrow my tank

Mine is 2.5 inches. Got him in January, he hasnt grown at all

 

[Bruttall]

Might read this thread if you plan on buying a Blue Hippo Tang.
IMO Putting a fish that is recommended to have 6 or 8 foot long tank to swim in, into a 4foot tank is MEAN to that fish. It's like putting shoes on your kids feet that are to small, and hoping it doesn't hurt him.

Hippo Tang tank size

I know this discussion can create war of words but I'm weighing up whether to upgrade or not. Realistically what's a the minimum length for a tank do you need for this tang? I'm not trying to be inhumane and I know bigger is better etc etc etc. I don't have this fish now as my tank is too...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Nemo&Friends]

What’s the growth rate like on those hippos?

Mine grew very fast the first 6 month. Growth slowed down after that. I bought mine at my LFS and it was tiny, probably around 2". Got it in November 2019. I am guessing it is 6.5" now, slightly smaller than my full grown rabbit fish.
My LFS has one hippo for several years, probably a rescue from a client as it had a bad case of HLL when I saw first saw it. Though hippo is much improved, you can still see the scars and the fish is not pretty, but very active and doing well. That fish is a diner plate size, in a big display aquarium. So I guess mine has room to grow.

 

[Adam Houston]

Might read this thread if you plan on buying a Blue Hippo Tang.
IMO Putting a fish that is recommended to have 6 or 8 foot long tank to swim in, into a 4foot tank is MEAN to that fish. It's like putting shoes on your kids feet that are to small, and hoping it doesn't hurt him.

Hippo Tang tank size

I know this discussion can create war of words but I'm weighing up whether to upgrade or not. Realistically what's a the minimum length for a tank do you need for this tang? I'm not trying to be inhumane and I know bigger is better etc etc etc. I don't have this fish now as my tank is too...

www.reef2reef.com

So putting a 2” fish in a 120 is mean? I’ve seen several hobbyists on YouTube with blue hippo tangs in 40-55 gallon tanks & they definitely look uncomfortable. I’m planning on adding a 220 as my main display tank next. Just wasn’t sure how quickly they grow and hoping one wouldn’t out grow a 120 in under 1 year.

 

[Hallowhead]

How long is the tank? Ive got a six foot with a blue, purple and yellow! Tominis stay small, so do koles. If you do those add last. I had a horrible yellow eye kole that was horrible to new and existing fish! Took her back to LFS, now all my tangs are best buddies and everyone is calm in the tank! Convicts are cool and peaceful too from what Ive heard!

How does one catch a tang ? Lol

 

[littlefoxx]

How does one catch a tang ? Lol

Oh with tearing apart the whole aqua scape and causing a few landslides and scaring her into the net! Took like an hour but I got her. Worked out though, my re built aqua scape is way better!

 

[Hallowhead]

Oh with tearing apart the whole aqua scape and causing a few landslides and scaring her into the net! Took like an hour but I got her. Worked out though, my re built aqua scape is way better!

It does not sound fun, hopeful to not have to do such a thing ever

 

[littlefoxx]

It does not sound fun, hopeful to not have to do such a thing ever

Yeah me neither… had to catch my purple a few times cause he was being rude to other fish and that was never as hard! Im adding a powder blue as my last fish for the tank and I hope I dont have to catch her and remove her if shes a terrorist!

 

[Bruttall]

So putting a 2” fish in a 120 is mean? I’ve seen several hobbyists on YouTube with blue hippo tangs in 40-55 gallon tanks & they definitely look uncomfortable. I’m planning on adding a 220 as my main display tank next. Just wasn’t sure how quickly they grow and hoping one wouldn’t out grow a 120 in under 1 year.

When a fish is recommended to have 6 foot or 8 foot of swimming length in a tank, putting them into a 4foot tank or smaller is cruel, Salt are not like Fresh Fish, they will not stop growing due to tank size, they do not grow to fit environment. I see entirely to many people with a Hippo or yellow tang in 30g tanks claiming it is Temporary, 2 years later the fish is miserable, deformed and possibly dead when that fish could have lived for 20 years or more.

 

[jpughmom757]

I really like the achillis tangs. But go with your heart lol

 

[Adam Houston]

When a fish is recommended to have 6 foot or 8 foot of swimming length in a tank, putting them into a 4foot tank or smaller is cruel, Salt are not like Fresh Fish, they will not stop growing due to tank size, they do not grow to fit environment. I see entirely to many people with a Hippo or yellow tang in 30g tanks claiming it is Temporary, 2 years later the fish is miserable, deformed and possibly dead when that fish could have lived for 20 years or more.

That is sad to hear. Sounds like many saltwater hobbyists don’t spend enough time researching the fish they plan to keep. That’s why I’m starting fairly big and not small because I am quickly becoming obsessed with most tang species and would like for them to live comfortably for a very long time. My wifey is already begging me to get 2 yellow tangs from Biota