Tangs in smaller tanks

MohrReefs

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Is it okay to have them in a 44gal tank? We figured we could trade them in once they started to get too big for a smaller one again. Bulk Reef supply mentioned doing this in one of their videos and we would love to have a tang.
 
So let us say you watched the BRSTv video series you will see they have a yellow tang in their 40 breeder. Not a huge fan of that because when you go to catch and rehome it may require some coral and rock removal depending on how lucky or unlucky you are when trying to capture it.

Ignoring that there are some other good utility fish that are capable of eating algae. Something to consider.
 
So let us say you watched the BRSTv video series you will see they have a yellow tang in their 40 breeder. Not a huge fan of that because when you go to catch and rehome it may require some coral and rock removal depending on how lucky or unlucky you are when trying to capture it.

Ignoring that there are some other good utility fish that are capable of eating algae. Something to consider.
What would be a better similar utility fish for a tank my size?
 
Listen I have always had tangs, and I have four right now in a 110gal tank. First, it’s my money and I spend it the way I want. My tangs are probably healthier than 99% of people with larger tanks. You also can buy them small. It’s not like they are going to grow over night and yes when they get to big you can trade them in. In 25 years I have only traded two back to the LFS. Please use your own judgement and be a good pet owner.
 
You are going to get alot of negative feedback here about that. You'll soon find out why.

I'll simply say this. Picture the Great barrier reef, billions of gallons of water. Fish swimming freely everywhere. Now picture even a monster tank (500g) sitting on the bottom of the reef, a spec in comparison. Is this really enough room for any fish? No, not really but we do it anyway. I've seen extremely overstocked big tanks, 30+ big fish in a 180 where half the swimming room is taken up by rocks and corals but no one bats an eye. It seams once you go north of 150g people just look the other way and forget the whole size rule. I've seen some species of fish (12in+) on here and elsewhere in 120-150g tanks that clearly need public aquarium size tanks and not a single bad comment, only ohhhhhs and ahhhhhs.

So take what you read with a grain of salt and always practice responsible fish keeping etiquette. Some fish may outgrow your tank and recognizing this months before they do is essential, don't wait until it actually outgrows it, Or is showing sings of stress because of the lack of room. Educate yourself in fish behavior so you may better identify the sings. Or don't I'm a comment not a cop.
 
You are going to get alot of negative feedback here about that. You'll soon find out why.

I'll simply say this. Picture the Great barrier reef, billions of gallons of water. Fish swimming freely everywhere. Now picture even a monster tank (500g) sitting on the bottom of the reef, a spec in comparison. Is this really enough room for any fish? No, not really but we do it anyway. I've seen extremely overstocked big tanks, 30+ big fish in a 180 where half the swimming room is taken up by rocks and corals but no one bats an eye. It seams once you go north of 150g people just look the other way and forget the whole size rule. I've seen some species of fish (12in+) on here and elsewhere in 120-150g tanks that clearly need public aquarium size tanks and not a single bad comment, only ohhhhhs and ahhhhhs.

So take what you read with a grain of salt and always practice responsible fish keeping etiquette. Some fish may outgrow your tank and recognizing this months before they do is essential, don't wait until it actually outgrows it, Or is showing sings of stress because of the lack of room. Educate yourself in fish behavior so you may better identify the sings. Or don't I'm a comment not a cop.


Hmm, a very interesting take and one that I suspect many have not thought about. Thank you for that.

Gerry
 
If you “promise” us all (lol :p) that you will replace it with a smaller one when it grows, my pick would be a small Yellow Eyed Kole Tang, because they can entertain themselves picking at your rocks, rather than trying to find flat-out swim room (if you follow me). My 2-cents. Best wishes!
 
Is it okay to have them in a 44gal tank? We figured we could trade them in once they started to get too big for a smaller one again. Bulk Reef supply mentioned doing this in one of their videos and we would love to have a tang.
I have a Scopus Tang in quarantine. Will put him in my 55 gal. LFS says he is a good one for a smaller tank. Doesn’t grow fast. If he gets to big I will trade him off. I really hope not or maybe I will have a bigger tank by then. Good luck!
 
You are going to get alot of negative feedback here about that. You'll soon find out why.

I'll simply say this. Picture the Great barrier reef, billions of gallons of water. Fish swimming freely everywhere. Now picture even a monster tank (500g) sitting on the bottom of the reef, a spec in comparison. Is this really enough room for any fish? No, not really but we do it anyway. I've seen extremely overstocked big tanks, 30+ big fish in a 180 where half the swimming room is taken up by rocks and corals but no one bats an eye. It seams once you go north of 150g people just look the other way and forget the whole size rule. I've seen some species of fish (12in+) on here and elsewhere in 120-150g tanks that clearly need public aquarium size tanks and not a single bad comment, only ohhhhhs and ahhhhhs.

So take what you read with a grain of salt and always practice responsible fish keeping etiquette. Some fish may outgrow your tank and recognizing this months before they do is essential, don't wait until it actually outgrows it, Or is showing sings of stress because of the lack of room. Educate yourself in fish behavior so you may better identify the sings. Or don't I'm a comment not a cop.

As I see it, all fish on any reef establish territories. So while a 500 gallon tank is a spec in comparison, it is large enough to simulate the amount of space for a given fish's territory. The idea is to select fish that can establish in a tank, the size territory it would establish in the wild.

Fish are pets. Would you trade in your dog if it outgrew your apartment? I wouldn't; they are family members. I'd shop for a house.
 
I have a tang and a trigger, which will both outgrow my 75g tank. But they are small enough for me to enjoy them for some time before they outgrow the system. At that point, I will decided if I will trade them, or move them into a larger tank. Some view the hobby as a means to satisfy their desires (like buying fish they enjoy), and others are more serious about the science of what works and what doesn't. So you have to choose what makes you satisfied in the hobby.
 
Listen I have always had tangs, and I have four right now in a 110gal tank. First, it’s my money and I spend it the way I want. My tangs are probably healthier than 99% of people with larger tanks. You also can buy them small. It’s not like they are going to grow over night and yes when they get to big you can trade them in. In 25 years I have only traded two back to the LFS. Please use your own judgement and be a good pet owner.
What type are yours? Ive always wanted multiple yellow. Ive consideres buying multiple at once and throwing them all in at one time. You ever have issues with them fighting?
 
I have a YT on a 40g breeder for 1 1/2 years but was about 2" when I got it. YT is happy and fat. Now, I'm upgrading to a 75g and will be more than happy to be there.


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What type are yours? Ive always wanted multiple yellow. Ive consideres buying multiple at once and throwing them all in at one time. You ever have issues with them fighting?
I’ve got 4 yellows and a PBT in my 120 along with some other fish. The powder blue was well established prior to adding the yellows (I added the 4 of them at the same time). Powder blue doesn’t bother them and they only bicker between themselves a little. The yellows have been in the DT for 4 months now.
 

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