Yellow Tang 40 - 75G?

[Pittsford_Pets]

I'm looking to start a 40 Gallon or a 75 gallon reef tank. I'd prefer to start a 40 as I have a stand and the overall price will be exponentially lower. I have a 70 gallon filter, 2 koralia power heads, a heater (if needed), and then I know what lights to buy (good for both tanks). The rocks will be cheaper for the 40 and same with sand. Pretty much set on the 40 now that I write this... Anyways, I'm wondering if a Yellow Tang can fit in a 40. I've heard people say they can fit from a 40 to a 75 minimum, but I'd prefer to have a good list of fish and supplies before diving into the tank. Ended up spending a ton on a 20g instead of doing real research. Now I have a bit of experience so I think I'll be fine with a big-ish tank. Thanks!

 

[R€€F @DD¡ÇT]

No chance. I have a 75 and wouldn't really want to put a yellow in there. Had issues with aggression with a yellow in a tank that was almost 400g.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I wouldn't do a yellow tang in a 40 gallon. Way to small for a fish that gets 7 to 8 inches.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

What's a smaller tang that would fit?

 

[zachxlutz]

Kole tangs/small bristletooths would be an option.

 

[Crabs McJones]

What's a smaller tang that would fit?

In a 40, not really anything that you can keep long term. If you did the 75 you could do a Kole Tang, or a Bristletooth Tomini Tang.

 

[Rob77]

In a 40, not really anything that you can keep long term. If you did the 75 you could do a Kole Tang, or a Bristletooth Tomini Tang.

does a kole tang stay smaller or just less aggression ?

 

[Crabs McJones]

does a kole tang stay smaller or just less aggression ?

Kole tangs get 6 to 7 inches, and don't show as much aggression as a yellow tang in my experience.

 

[Rob77]

Kole tangs get 6 to 7 inches, and don't show as much aggression as a yellow tang in my experience.

Gotcha ......Thanks for the info ........I really like a kole tang myself

 

[eatbreakfast]

Though smaller than a yellow tang, kole tangs still get too big for a 40g.

 

[PatW]

A Kole tang would work in a 75. Forty is small for them. Sources that I see recommend a 5' minimum length for a yellow tang. But a 120 would probably be ok,

Tangs are quite active and even small tangs will range all over a large tank. With tangs, the bigger, the better.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Good stock for 20g? I'll be upgrading to 40g so I can buy fish that are fine in 20g while small

 

[zachxlutz]

Good stock for 20g? I'll be upgrading to 40g so I can buy fish that are fine in 20g while small

Check out liveaquaria to get an idea of what sort of fish would work for you size tank. They have a great filter that will show you what will work in those size tanks.