Will a Blue Tang be okay

[ccombs]

Here is a copy of what I wrote in the centerpiece fish thread, since it seems this discussion kind of branched off.

We are kind of split between two threads now, I will try to answer both here, assuming it is all about the same tank. You are 100% free to do whatever you want. Many people have had success getting juvenile fish and re-homing. Heck, if you have already made up your mind that this is what you are going to do, there is nothing anyone on this forum can do to stop you, and that is the beauty of being able to make your own decisions.

That being said, I think most people on this forum are suggesting looking at a reef from a different perspective. When I first started, like you, I loved the idea of one big show fish, something that is the centerpiece of the tank. Now, in my 30 long, I have shifted my thinking into having more fish, but smaller. I actually love this approach much more, everything in the tank looks more proportional, actively swims, and I do not have to worry about stressing the fish with too small of a tank, or rehoming a pet that I become attached to.

Either way, don't feel like anyone is attacking you, tone is easily lost over posted forum threads. We all wish you the best of luck with whatever route you go, and we all hope that you have found our advice useful. Let us know if we can ever be of assistance with other issues or decisions you run in to.

 

[jsvand5]

No, you don't know what you don't know. Arrogance, however, that's a personality and choice.

1st post of the thread you mentioned the fish that you already have and asked if the tang would be ok with them. Now, after being told answers that you didn’t want to hear, you say it’s for a different tank that you don’t even have yet. Sounds to me like you’re not being entirely truthful but good luck with your tank (or tanks).

 

[nereefpat]

Hepatus
What's the smallest tank i could put a 3-5cm one in?

Somewhere in the standard 180-standard 240 gallon range, depending on swimming space and tankmates. 6-8 foot tank, and at least 2' wide.

 

[JoshH]

Thanks, please don't go off my other post. I'm looking at a second tank, I've not confirmed its size. It won't be the 6" mentioned but it's going to be bigger than my smaller office tank (size listed in other thread). Reason for this thread is to work out if they'll go together once in this new tank

Reason for that post is to get ideas of what could go in there if it's too small for a tang.

I completely understand that you're not going to be using that particular tank I was more so using it as an example. Please ignore some of the other comments being posted here. They aren't helpful, productive or in keeping with the general attitude typically found here on R2R.

What kind of tank are you hoping to upgrade to? If you can manage it, as mentioned above, a 4' 90 gallon tank would be most ideal. There are several different tangs you can happily keep for some time in that size of a tank, almost indefinitely for a couple of them. You could even keep the blue for probably a couple years as long as you get a really small one but you would still need to rehome it eventually which is why I'd steer clear of them. But a bristletooth or yellow are both fantastic alternatives and could stay in that size of a tank for many many years. Both of these options would go well with your Current livestock as well so you wouldn't have to worry about that either.

 

[4FordFamily]

Hippo tangs belong in 6 foot tanks. Tangs suitable for 4-5 foot tanks include most bristletooth tangs (tomini, kole, white tail, etc.) and yellow tangs, scopas tangs. Anything smaller than 4 feet is not suitable for tangs.

I advise against buying a fish for an "upgrade later". Many of these don't happen and it's not best practice for the animal.

Also -- keep this thread civil. I've cleaned up some trolling posts and more will be coming. This is R2R, we are kind to other members here. Share knowledge/information in a way that's kind, per our TOS.

 

[Tait]

To answer the question as it pertains to growing out a blue tang in a 30g. It would likely end badly for the fish. To grow it out, it would need high oxygen, and a young tang would need a lot of food daily. With the other fish in the tank, all this food would make it hard to dilute the waste with just 30g. There are more reasons why growing it out in a tank this size could be hazardous, including stress leading to decrease in immune system, but probably no compatibility issues lol.

 

[Jesterrace]

Dang, I forgot about that with tangs. Another good reason not to keep one in a small tank? They are very dirty poop machines. I had a Yellow Tang that wasn't 4 inches long in my 90 gallon and it would fill the entire left corner of my 90 gallon tank with poop 3-4 times a day. Not such a big deal in a lightly stocked 90 gallon with a sump, but in a standard 30 gallon even a single 2-3 inch tang would produce an insane amount of waste for that tank.