Tangs

[Camø]

I'm wondering if any Tangs are good for my new 55 gallon tank. I have always loved the look of Tangs but have heard they are aggressive. I am thinking about making a tank with a pair of some variation of a Ocellaris Clownfish and a trio of Banggai Cardinalfish. Thank you in advance.

 

[Greatdane]

You need to talk to the tang police about that maybe a sail fin buts that all I’m post it is about

 

[Redfoxtang]

To be honest no tang should be in a 55 unless you have the means to rehome them when they get larger. This topic always sparks flares so be prepared. I would say a tomini tang would almost be your best option.


Welcome to R2R as well!!!

 

[Greatdane]

Listen to him not me

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not necessarily aggressive as they are territorial, but few fall into aggressive.
I have yellows, three sailfins, Vlamingi, Tomini, Hepatus, Powder Blue, Naso and I know im forgetting one or two. By far, My nasty one is my clown Tang, and rest quite dicile. The naso occasionally nags my Vlamingi as they look similar and same size but that will change fairly quick as Vlamingi is picking up on color change and growth.

 

[Terri Caton]

Tangs need a LOT of room to swim to be happy.

 

[Crabs McJones]

To be honest no tang should be in a 55 unless you have the means to rehome them when they get larger. This topic always sparks flares so be prepared. I would say a tomini tang would almost be your best option.


Welcome to R2R as well!!!

This^^ plus aggression isnt so much the issue. The main issue is most tangs get large (8" being on the smallest side) so in a smaller tank they run out of room quickly and get stressed.

 

[Tamberav]

if possible, pick your fish first, then pick the tank!

Tomini tang is the smallest but a standard 55 has a really terrible footprint for active fish.

 

[DSC reef]

This goes along the lines of just because I've done it doesn't mean I recommend it. I've had quite a few tangs in a 55 as very small juveniles including a sohal and all were rehomed to larger tanks as I upgraded and even sent off to larger tanks I couldn't afford. It's never a good idea to buy a fish with plans to upgrade later but with proper planning it can be done.

 

[Wolf89]

You need to talk to the tang police about that maybe a sail fin buts that all I’m post it is about

I know you're new, but the sailfin is literally one of the worst to reccomend. They should be housed in nothing less than 180 gallons long term or expect sick fish, or dead ones. Sailfin are one of the largest commonly kept tangs

 

[BeMoto]

I'm not a expert but after snorkeling with tangs around I won't own one again.

 

[Greatdane]

I know you're new, but the sailfin is literally one of the worst to reccomend. They should be housed in nothing less than 180 gallons long term or expect sick fish, or dead ones. Sailfin are one of the largest commonly kept tangs

Thank you I’m learning things everyday I come here maybe I shouldn’t reply to things that I think I know but I don’t

 

[Wolf89]

Thank you I’m learning things everyday I come here maybe I shouldn’t reply to things that I think I know but I don’t

We're all here to learn

 

[Keiki]

I'm not a expert but after snorkeling with tangs around I won't own one again.

Why is that?

 

[BeMoto]

They are way more active swimming. Physically healther looking, I believe because of over all health. Just my opinion. I'm sure you can have a healthy tang in a smaller tank but long term..... I don't see it working out.

 

[Marco S]

They are way more active swimming. Physically healther looking, I believe because of over all health. Just my opinion. I'm sure you can have a healthy tang in a smaller tank but long term..... I don't see it working out.

You can say the same for any wild animal in their natural habitat. I'm sure the Lions and Tigers in the wild look way better in the wild then in the cages at the zoo, but at the same time, if they weren't in those cages at the zoo then most people would never get to see one in real life. I do sometimes feel kind of bad, but being able to have a reef in my family room far outweighs that for me and has to for everyone that puts a wild fish and coral in a glass box.

That being said, the least we can do is try and get the biggest tank possible for those bigger fish or not keep them. I would never recommend putting any Tang, (or any fish that gets large) in a 55 gallon unless you plan on upgrading as it grows.