Tangs in a 48" 90 gallon

Siberwulf · Feb 21, 2023

Hey folks, I'm well aware that tangs aren't for every tank. I know they need quite a bit of swim room, but I'm sitting with a 90g, 48" long and wondering if there are any algae-eating fish out there that would work in that type of space? The last thing I want to do is to house a gorgeous fish in something too small.

Thanks in advance!

thedon986 · Feb 21, 2023

Tomini tang in there would definitely be fine. Yellow would be fine for some years until it's too big. Foxfaces tend to eat more algae and even bubble algae sometimes.

Randy’s reef · Feb 21, 2023

I have 5 tangs in my 48 inch long no fighting had for 3 years now

Blake509 · Feb 21, 2023

Siberwulf said:
Hey folks, I'm well aware that tangs aren't for every tank. I know they need quite a bit of swim room, but I'm sitting with a 90g, 48" long and wondering if there are any algae-eating fish out there that would work in that type of space? The last thing I want to do is to house a gorgeous fish in something too small.

Thanks in advance!

Blennys can be good for algae control.

Randy’s reef · Feb 21, 2023

Best algae eaters are my powder blue yellow and convict

nereefpat · Feb 21, 2023

I usually tell people that most tangs in the genus Ctenochaetus, not chevron or striatus, will be fine in a 4' 90, and they would be the best choice.

You could make an argument for those in the genus Zebrasoma, besides the 2 sailfins.

I would only pick one for a 90.

Any of the 'foxfaces', but not the other rabbits, are also a decent choice. Certain blennies are algae eaters. Dwarf angels are actually algae eaters in nature.

Other good non-fish are urchins and the big Mexican turbo snails.

EliMelly · Feb 21, 2023

Which ones? Can you send a list of the other fish you have in there as well plus the amount of gallons? Definitely curious

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 21, 2023

Siberwulf said:
Hey folks, I'm well aware that tangs aren't for every tank. I know they need quite a bit of swim room, but I'm sitting with a 90g, 48" long and wondering if there are any algae-eating fish out there that would work in that type of space? The last thing I want to do is to house a gorgeous fish in something too small.

Thanks in advance!

I have a bristletooth tang, yellow tang, and one spot foxface in my 90 and they do fine. I realize the foxface isn't a tang, but it may as well be, lol.

Bucs20fan · Feb 21, 2023

Bristle tooth, yellow tang, 1 spot foxface are all great selections I agree. Foxfaces eat more algae in my experience though. A 48 inch 90 gallon isnt a small tank, alot of folks immediately hear it and think its a 20 long.

Edit: A purple tang would probably be fine as well. Just dont go buy a sailfin or a clown tang anytime soon and youll be fine LOL.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 21, 2023

Bucs20fan said:
Bristle tooth, yellow tang, 1 spot foxface are all great selections I agree. Foxfaces eat more algae in my experience though. A 48 inch 90 gallon isnt a small tank, alot of folks immediately hear it and think its a 20 long.

Yeah, 4 feet of swimming space is great for a lot of the fish we normally keep.

Bucs20fan · Feb 21, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
Yeah, 4 feet of swimming space is great for a lot of the fish we normally keep.

Dont wanna anger too many people, but most of those red sea's arent 4 feet long. So OP use your best judgement based on research and go forth and reef my friend.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Feb 21, 2023

Bucs20fan said:
Dont wanna anger too many people, but most of those red sea's arent 4 feet long. So OP use your best judgement based on research and go forth and reef my friend.

Siberwulf said:
but I'm sitting with a 90g, 48" long

ReefGeezer · Feb 21, 2023

I have a 4+ inch Blue Tang in my 90. He started out much smaller. He's fat & happy right now. BUT... he is a little bit of a butt-head from time to time.

Siberwulf · Feb 21, 2023

Right now, the tank has 3 PJ Cardinals, Aiptasia eating Filefish, and a single clown (we lost her husband

). Based on this chart here: https://www.aquariumindustries.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Compatibility-Chart-MARINE.pdf

I think I should be good to add one in.

thedon986 · Feb 21, 2023

ReefGeezer said:
I have a 4+ inch Blue Tang in my 90. He started out much smaller. He's fat & happy right now. BUT... he is a little bit of a butt-head from time to time.

How long have you had him? I would like to keep one in my upcoming 48x24 tank for a few years.

ReefGeezer · Feb 22, 2023

thedon986 said:
How long have you had him? I would like to keep one in my upcoming 48x24 tank for a few years.

He's been in the tank about a year. He was a skinny little three incher when I got him. His growth seems to be slowing. Now he's just getting fatter. He seems to be fine in the 4' tank for now. I tried to measure him, but he just moves around too much. Best I can tell he's over 4.25" now, maybe 4.5".

I do think you have to understand that a Blue Tang might not play well with other fish in the tank, particularly other Tangs, that you add after he has claimed the space. I had a Yellow and a Blue Tang in my old 75. The yellow went in first so it worked out. I don't think I could put any more Tangs in my 90 now that the Blue is established.