Tomini tang in 50 gallon

jimmypencil · Feb 19, 2023

I recently saw a small tomini tang in someone’s 50 gallon tank on YouTube and it peaked my interest. I originally planned on not getting a tang and just sticking to small fish that get no larger than 5’’ but a tomini only gets about 6’’. I have small pair of clowns, small wrasses, cardinals, hogfish, dottyback.

should I pull the trigger on a tomini for my 50 gallon? Or it’s not worth it? Let me know!

steveschuerger · Feb 19, 2023

I’d say it’s a little too small. I have a sixty gallon and it’s still a no go, unless you plan on getting a bigger tank like say 75-90 at least.

gbroadbridge · Feb 19, 2023

jimmypencil said:
I recently saw a small tomini tang in someone’s 50 gallon tank on YouTube and it peaked my interest. I originally planned on not getting a tang and just sticking to small fish that get no larger than 5’’ but a tomini only gets about 6’’. I have small pair of clowns, small wrasses, cardinals, hogfish, dottyback.

should I pull the trigger on a tomini for my 50 gallon? Or it’s not worth it? Let me know!

You probably could, but it may not be a very happy fish once it grows as it like a lot of swimming space.
If you plan on upgrading in the next few years to 90 gal or bigger it would be happier

jimmypencil · Feb 20, 2023

I’ll wait until I upgrade tanks folks, dimension of my tank (lagoon style) make it even worse.

adittam · Feb 20, 2023

jimmypencil said:
I’ll wait until I upgrade tanks folks, dimension of my tank (lagoon style) make it even worse.

What are the dimensions of your tank, and why do you say lagoon style is worse? I would say exactly the opposite. Tangs (and most SW fish that are active swimmers) use horizontal swimming space WAY more than they use vertical swimming space.

jimmypencil · Feb 20, 2023

adittam said:
What are the dimensions of your tank, and why do you say lagoon style is worse? I would say exactly the opposite. Tangs (and most SW fish that are active swimmers) use horizontal swimming space WAY more than they use vertical swimming space.

It’s like a shallow cube. I feel like a longer tank would be better for swimming area. It’s a IM lagoon 50.

X-37B · Feb 20, 2023

It can be done if your experienced enough.

Mine came from my 120.
Its in my 36x24x12 frag system now.
Its big and lives under a frag rack.
It takes nori from my hand so?

All thing the bigger tank the bettr.
It will go into my 48x24x16 growout tank one day.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 20, 2023

jimmypencil said:
I recently saw a small tomini tang in someone’s 50 gallon tank on YouTube and it peaked my interest. I originally planned on not getting a tang and just sticking to small fish that get no larger than 5’’ but a tomini only gets about 6’’. I have small pair of clowns, small wrasses, cardinals, hogfish, dottyback.

should I pull the trigger on a tomini for my 50 gallon? Or it’s not worth it? Let me know!

Yes you can- My Tomini is 4 years and still a little over 3". Has only been in large tanks.

Kfactor · Feb 20, 2023

i still think its funny when ppl argue about fish in smaller tanks . i see guys with big tanks that are so full of rock that its it doesnt give the fish anymore swimming area then some smaller tanks i have seen . but i do agree to a point there are fish you shouldn't keep in smaller tanks .

Nlara · Feb 20, 2023

Maybe if you start with a small specimen. As it grows you can maybe swap it at your LFS.

jimmypencil · Feb 22, 2023

alright i changed my mind and ordered a tomini tang and specifically told the vendor to give me the smallest one possible. It just got delivered and im excited to put it in after work

jimmypencil · Feb 22, 2023

tank is 30x20x16. its an AIO so i guess its actually more like a 40 gallon

i will certainly upgrade in the next couple years so i dont see this being a problem, especially with the tang starting at 1-2"

jimmypencil · Feb 22, 2023

Tang got delivered, doesn’t look too stressed and I’m only floating it right now but I instantly noticed the top din is a little bit damaged and there are some white patches on the body. Big cause for concern? I don’t have qt as I’m working on that now but figured I’d ask.

ScottB · Feb 22, 2023

The blotches are likely just from shipping stress. My one spot foxface goes from yellow to black every time he sees a fish net. Did the fish arrive with a a reasonable water temp?

My Tomini tangs are the slowest growing tangs I've ever had. You should be fine for a good while.

Txoutlaw · Feb 22, 2023

I have a 2in one in my 40B and he is doing fine.

adittam · Feb 22, 2023

jimmypencil said:
Tang got delivered, doesn’t look too stressed and I’m only floating it right now but I instantly noticed the top din is a little bit damaged and there are some white patches on the body. Big cause for concern? I don’t have qt as I’m working on that now but figured I’d ask.

I assume based on the way you phrased your post that you don't purchase from vendors who QT and treat their fish? Since you also don't QT, you're basically playing with a lighter in a oil refinery. It's only a matter of time before you introduce a pathogen to your tank that could wipe out all of your fish. Good luck!

jimmypencil · Mar 1, 2023

90's reefer said:
It can be done if your experienced enough.

Mine came from my 120.
Its in my 36x24x12 frag system now.
Its big and lives under a frag rack.
It takes nori from my hand so?

All thing the bigger tank the bettr.
It will go into my 48x24x16 growout tank one day.

truly a beautiful fish

jimmypencil · Mar 1, 2023

fish is doing great and coloration looks good. took him a few days to come out of his cave but now he is very active and picking on the rocks constantly. if i walk up to the tank he will hide so i just sit in my chair and watch him from a distance lol. such a beautiful fish, prob my new favorite.

bcurelop · Mar 8, 2023

I have one in my 45G DT and he is doing fine. He had a few white spots when I first got him but I think it was just from shipping stress. He is also pretty shy but after several weeks he seems to be getting less shy.

MoMoTheMonster · Mar 8, 2023

I also have one in my 45g tall tank. I've had him for over a year now and he is still shy when people approach the tank. They are pretty fish. But they can be mean to new tank mates. Mine scared the life out of a new wrasse I bought a few months back. Only saw the wrasse once the next day and never saw him again. But he keeps my pair of clowns in check sometimes when they get cranky.