Tangs in smaller tanks

[Pickwun]

Do not have the space for a tank larger than this one. ...

Hahaha. Can tell you haven't been doing this long.
Just remember that furniture is optional (except for the tank stands).

 

[MohrReefs]

Hahaha. Can tell you haven't been doing this long.
Just remember that furniture is optional (except for the tank stands).

True, but I have a wife, so what the house looks like matters lol. Unfortunately in my case, furniture is not optional and we only have room for this size tank.

We opted out of the tangs. Case closed.

 

[Super Fly]

IMO if tank is 4' long, small tang like Tomini (one of the least aggressive tangs) would be ok when well fed and provided w plenty of live rock aquascaped for open swimming. Would be weary of putting a yellow tang as it's one of the more aggressive tangs and may show even more aggression in smaller tank.
here's a list of tang aggression to help make an informed decision https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.215698/

 

[Pickwun]

True, but I have a wife, so what the house looks like matters lol. Unfortunately in my case, furniture is not optional and we only have room for this size tank.

We opted out of the tangs. Case closed.

Well that makes it easy. Fish tanks are much prettier than couches and tables (unless the tables are fish tanks - or mermaids)

 

[Nasir]

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?

Chocolate, Sailfin, Orange shoulder and a Hippo tang. I have no problem with them. They all get along.

 

[Codiak]

Your money, your tank, your fish. Who cares what "everyone" else thinks?...hahaha

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Unpopular opinion:

A single tang in a smaller tank (40g - 100g) can be happier than a tang crammed into a 300g with 40 other fish. I've seen smaller tangs in 40g breeders that looked very healthy.

I see these "dream tank" builds that are incredibly overstocked with fish basically bumping into each other and wonder how anyone could be satisfied with meeting an arbitrary tank size rule while their fish clearly aren't happy. Use some personal judgement and pay attention to your fish. The bottom line is no tank replicates a tang's natural habitat, and the best we can do is work on factors other than swimming space such as other fish, rock work, and proper diet.

I know what you mean. But the funny thing is my fish all tend hang out in one section of my 125, near to each other. I would think they would space themselves out more to take advantage of the open space. But it really seems to opposite is true.

 

[mightieskeeper]

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!

I have put a small Scopus in a 40 breeder with a pair of clowns. Had great success. I look at larger tanks that have tangs that stay in one area of the tank because of other fish aggression. Is that healthy for the tang?

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

my five tangs hang out near each other, no aggression. Could be they don't want to miss out on the feed

 

[Steve Elb]

Lawnmower, starry, or tail spot blenny

Plus 1

 

[Whispers]

I still have room for 2 more tangs

 

[joe0813]

why buy fish if you can't keep it its entire life? 40 gallon tank is way to small. buy a bigger tank if you want tangs

 

[Roger D]

I've got a mimic tang that's still small but it's in a 40 and keeps it algae free. I've never seen it move across the full tank only short little distances and only to catch a piece of food. As long as it has something to graze on it's happy.

 

[mkwarner77]

I've got a 46 gl tank and I've tried scopas several times. I'd get them small, around 2" but they've never done well. they're ok for the first clp weeks then they just went down hill. I've resigned myself to no tangs

 

[Dragon52]

Why would you want to buy something you really want knowing that you can't or wont be able to keep it. The other thing to think about is stress on the fish when you go to catch it to rehome especially with tangs. Just my thoughts.

 

[van7271]

Yellow tang in a 55 gallon reef tank for 10 years now. Fat healthy and the best fish in the tank.