What is a decent size tank for a tang?

[Michael W.]

I am preparing to purchase my first saltwater aquarium and I am at the stocking list part of my decisions. The tank I am going to be getting is a Red Sea Reefer 54 gallon with sump. I already have many of the fish that I would like in my tank picked out. The fish I am pretty sure that I am getting are...
-Flame angel
-Midas Blenny
-Yellow prawn goby
-Two ocellaris clowns
-Small school of chromis
-Sixline Wrasse
-Possibly a mandarin goby later down the line if that works out.

The only question I am left having is if I can put a tang in this tank. I was looking at the yellow and Kole tangs because they seem to be the tangs with the lowest minimum tank size. Can someone offer advice on how I can deal with this? If there is any way to do this I would love to have a tang in my tank but I don't want to be abusing any fish. I will eventually add corals to this tank if that info is needed. Also if there is any problem with my stocking plan please tell me. Thank you!

 

[ndrwater]

I am preparing to purchase my first saltwater aquarium and I am at the stocking list part of my decisions. The tank I am going to be getting is a Red Sea Reefer 54 gallon with sump. I already have many of the fish that I would like in my tank picked out. The fish I am pretty sure that I am getting are...
-Flame angel
-Midas Blenny
-Yellow prawn goby
-Two ocellaris clowns
-Small school of chromis
-Sixline Wrasse
-Possibly a mandarin goby later down the line if that works out.

The only question I am left having is if I can put a tang in this tank. I was looking at the yellow and Kole tangs because they seem to be the tangs with the lowest minimum tank size. Can someone offer advice on how I can deal with this? If there is any way to do this I would love to have a tang in my tank but I don't want to be abusing any fish. I will eventually add corals to this tank if that info is needed. Also if there is any problem with my stocking plan please tell me. Thank you!

Tang police notwithstanding, you can do either. Just know at some point, you will need to re-home them.
One of the biggest issues with tangs is they can be territorial. Occasionally adding fish, especially conspecifics can be problematic. Especially in a relatively small tank.
All fish have personality, and as such, vary from fish to fish. As an example, I have a Kole Tang. Notoriously non aggressive. Mine however, is a total ******.
I would suggest getting the majority of your intended fish before adding a Tang. Less chance of unwanted aggression that way.

 

[Michael W.]

Ok

Tang police notwithstanding, you can do either. Just know at some point, you will need to re-home them.
One of the biggest issues with tangs is they can be territorial. Occasionally adding fish, especially conspecifics can be problematic. Especially in a relatively small tank.
All fish have personality, and as such, vary from fish to fish. As an example, I have a Kole Tang. Notoriously non aggressive. Mine however, is a total ******.
I would suggest getting the majority of your intended fish before adding a Tang. Less chance of unwanted aggression that way.

Okay. How long do think on average would I have with a tang if I got it around maybe 3-4 inches?

 

[brett_schn]

Not long. Get a 1-2” fish tops

 

[ndrwater]

What he said^^^^^

 

[bif24701]

I would take the Tang off your list. Look for something else that will fit long term in your tank.

 

[4FordFamily]

IMO that tank isn't big enough to house a tang. If you did do it, you'd need to go in to it knowing you will need to rehome it in a year or two, perhaps sooner depending on the species.

You could add a trio of various dwarf angels that would be pretty neat! A potters, flame, and lemon peel would be a neat mix

 

[Cyricdark]

Any bristletooth Tang most of them are fairly small also tomini Tang are really nice keep in mind that if you want to get one of those Tangs that gets larger there's a good chance that by the time it grows to the size that you'll need a bigger tank you'll want a bigger tank and it'll be a good excuse to upgrade, just make sure you get a small one so you have plenty of time

 

[Michael W.]

IMO that tank isn't big enough to house a tang. If you did do it, you'd need to go in to it knowing you will need to rehome it in a year or two, perhaps sooner depending on the species.

You could add a trio of various dwarf angels that would be pretty neat! A potters, flame, and lemon peel would be a neat mix

So i thought that keeping dwarf angels together wasn't the best idea? Can you help me clarify? That would look very cool if it works though, you are right about that!

 

[JVS]

Put the angels in at the same time and try to keep the size of them similar and the aggression should be minimal

 

[Michael W.]

Put the angels in at the same time and try to keep the size of them similar and the aggression should be minimal

And a tank my size should be substantial for three dwarf angels? What if one of them is a Flame angel? Does that change anything?

 

[GHsaltie]

In regards to the angels do keep in mind that they are coral nippers and you are likely to lose some/a lot of coral. Also on a side note if you are determined to get the mandarin then take the six line off your list. Six lines are aggressive pod eaters and don't usually take kindly to competition, actually they are kind of butts in general.

 

[4FordFamily]

I've kept trios of angels but yes they must be added at the same time, properly quarantined, and it sometimes does not work out as you hope. I kept a trio of potters in a 54 bow for a few years they thrived