Tangs! I might bite the bullet

I have a 425XL and blue tangs are said the require 180gal min.
Small tangs. What's your thought on best option?
Any under 8"
Stick to the Ctenochaetus genus, the rest will outgrow or become highly aggressive in that tank size long term. It also depends how your rockwork looks, if it’s mainly a wall you shouldn’t have most tangs in there but if it has an infinity type swimming room around it you could get away with a smaller Zebrasoma.

I personally love the Ctenochaetus binotatus, these guys go through colour changes dependant on Behaviour.
IMG_0585.jpeg
 
I have a 425XL and blue tangs are said the require 180gal min.
Small tangs. What's your thought on best option?
Any under 8"
Whats the gallon size on your tank?
 
I have the slightly larger RedSea 525 (110g display + 30g sump) and plan to have a Yellow Tang and White Tail Bristletooth. I was thinking about adding a third Tang but fear that would be too much.
Whats the length of your tank?
 
Stick to the Ctenochaetus genus, the rest will outgrow or become highly aggressive in that tank size long term. It also depends how your rockwork looks, if it’s mainly a wall you shouldn’t have most tangs in there but if it has an infinity type swimming room around it you could get away with a smaller Zebrasoma.

I personally love the Ctenochaetus binotatus, these guys go through colour changes dependant on Behaviour.
IMG_0585.jpeg
I have 2 rock islands more towards back. Easy to swim around.
 

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Some available tangs from the Acanthurus family are on the smaller side. My favorites include convict, powder brown, Powder Blue, and Chocolate (really stunning fish, very underrated. Great personality and pictures do not do it justice).
IMG_0064.jpeg
 
Some available tangs from the Acanthurus family are on the smaller side. My favorites include convict, powder brown, Powder Blue, and Chocolate (really stunning fish, very underrated. Great personality and pictures do not do it justice).
IMG_0064.jpeg
I would not put a powder blue or brown in OP’s size tank with their aggression issues. But I do agree, chocolates are pretty!
 
I would not put a powder blue or brown in OP’s size tank with their aggression issues. But I do agree, chocolates are pretty!
Yeah, I just looked at that setup, 48 inches is too short for powders. I have a 6' 125, and my blue gets really restless sometimes and swims hard against powerheads.
 
It's not too small for a tang, let alone "really small". If you think that, you should probably do some more research. It's perfectly fine for any of the Ctenochaetus, and you could also get away with most of the smaller Zebrasoma species. I would avoid any of the larger species, though.
 
Tomini, scopa, yellow tang, convicts, white tailed bristle tooth just to name a few
Perfect list with the addition or powder blue/brown. In my 130 48x22x30 I have kept some alive for years and they only got about 5". The powder brown is very active though. I'd suggest a 30" tall tank for them. They like to do circles around the WaveMakers. You must quarantine though or you will get ich/velvet. Tominis have always been one of my favorite. I just got a white Tail and he is the most colorful tang of the small variety. He's the best grazer as well. I'd skip the yellows due to the cost.
 
I have a 425XL and blue tangs are said the require 180gal min.
Small tangs. What's your thought on best option?
Any under 8"
Blue tang will be fine as will tomini, purple, yellow, convict, chocolate (mimic yellow), eiblii and lavendar
 
Stick to the Ctenochaetus genus, the rest will outgrow or become highly aggressive in that tank size long term. It also depends how your rockwork looks, if it’s mainly a wall you shouldn’t have most tangs in there but if it has an infinity type swimming room around it you could get away with a smaller Zebrasoma.

I personally love the Ctenochaetus binotatus, these guys go through colour changes dependant on Behaviour.
IMG_0585.jpeg
That's what I went with. Cheers
 

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