Who makes the rules for fish tank-size-requirement?

[cdness]

I was part of a group of people that made up a set of guidelines (( don't like the term "rules" )) for tank size for tangs. The group consisted of long term hobbyiest (( I, myself, have been in this hobby since 1991 )), divers, marine biologists and the like. I can tell you that the guidelines were just thrown out there, it took about a month and there were some heated discussions. In the end I am proud of that list and think that we took are "charges" interests over our desires.

Lastly, I have always recommended purchasing fish that can spend their lifespan in your current tank, and not the tank that you hope to have one day -- heck I was suppose to have my "big" tank over 7 years ago, life gets in the way.

Can you share your list? I would be very interested in what you came up with.

 

[Ace25]

I have seen this list floating around for several years now, is this the list?

Surgeonfish (tangs) are easily one of the more popular and recognizable marine fish. Most tangs are primarily herbivorous, roaming the open coastal reef while browsing for vegetation. These very active swimmers cover huge expanses of the reef while feeding.

Many species of tang adapt readily to aquarium life, and can safely be added to a a reef tank. The goal of a responsible aquarist is to provide the optimum environment for the inhabitants of our piece of the ocean. While an optimum environment may never be achieved, the list of minimum aquarium sizes for the various species of tangs commonly offered to aquarists.

These recommendations are based on the experiences of a myriad of aquarists, both real-life experiences and through observation in the ocean. They are based on the goal of providing an environment that matches the active nature, feeding regimens and growth rates of the tang. If this goal is met, the reward to the aquarist (and more importantly the fish) is long-term health and beauty in the tank.

It must be remembered that tank size is only one factor in the equation. It should be a "given" that the tank provides adequate mature rockwork for grazing, aquascaping that provides both hiding/resting spaces and allows for straight-line swimming in open water, and tank mates that are compatible.


Min Volume Min Length
Species Common Name (gallons) (feet)
Acanthurus achilles1 Achilles Surgeonfish 180 6
Acanthurus coeruleus Atlantic Blue Tang 125 6
Acanthurus japonicus Powder Brown Tang 125 6
Acanthurus leucosternon2 Powder Blue Tang 125 6
Acanthurus lineatus2 Lined or Clown Surgeonfish 240 8
Acanthurus nigricans Whitecheek Surgeonfish 125 6
Acanthurus olivaceus Orangeshoulder Surgeonfish 180 6
Acanthurus pyroferus Mimic Surgeonfish 75 4
Acanthurus sohal2 Sohal Surgeonfish 350 10
Acanthurus triostegus Convict Surgeonfish 125 6
Acanthurus tristis Indian Mimic Surgeonfish 75 4
Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis Chevron Tang 100 5
Ctenochaetus striatus Striated Bristletooth Tang 75 4
Ctenochaetus strigosus Kole's Tang 75 4
Ctenochaetus tominiensis Tomini Tang 75 4
Naso brevirostris Spotted Unicornfish 350 10
Naso lituratus Orangespine Unicornfish or Naso Tang 240 8
Naso unicornis Bluespine Unicornfish 350 10
Naso vlamingii Vlamingi Tang 350 10
Paracanthurus hepatus3 Pacific Blue or Regal or Hippo Tang 240 8
Zebrasoma desjardinii Indian Ocean or Red Sea Sailfin Tang 240 8
Zebrasoma flavescens Yellow Tang 100 5
Zebrasoma scopas Brown Tang 75 4
Zebrasoma veliferum Sailfin Tang 240 8
Zebrasoma xanthurum2 Purple Tang 120 5

 

[Trex]

Yes, that is the list.