Yellow Tang Minimum Tank Size

[ZoaLuke]

Hey,
I was wondering what the minimum tank size is for yellow tangs. We currently have a 120cm x 70cm x 45 cm (100 gallon) tank and are able to fill it up with water and was wondering if it is large enough for a yellow tang and to house it all of its life.
Thanks,
Luke

 

[ZoaLuke]

Hey,
I was wondering what the minimum tank size is for yellow tangs. We currently have a 120cm x 70cm x 45 cm (100 gallon) tank and are able to fill it up with water and was wondering if it is large enough for a yellow tang and to house it all of its life.
Thanks,
Luke

Also if yellow tangs are not suitable, what other tangs would we be able to add?
Thanks

 

[El_Guapo13]

According to LiveAquaria, minimum tank size for a Yellow Tang is 100 gallons. And I have aeen others post that as well.

You could also get a Tomini Tang or Yellow Eye Kole Tang.

 

[ZoaLuke]

According to LiveAquaria, minimum tank size for a Yellow Tang is 100 gallons. And I have aeen others post that as well.

You could also get a Tomini Tang or Yellow Eye Kole Tang.

Thanks, so does that mean that 100 gallons and my brothers and I's tank will be able to hold the fish comfortably all of its life, or would it begin to be harmful for the fish later on in the life as it gets older. Essentially what I'm asking is this minimum tank size enough not only for the fish to survive, but to thrive and be fully happy.
Thanks

 

[El_Guapo13]

I myself have not had any tangs, so I am not sure. And from what I have read around R2R from others suggests that it can be fine its entire life in a 100 gallon, but it also might need an upgrade.

Let me get some peeps in here who might be able to help, either based off their knowledge, or because they know someone else on the forums who can help.

@fishguy242 @vetteguy53081
#reefsquad

 

[saltyhog]

My yellow is in a 6 foot tank and uses every inch of it. I think it could be done but he should be the only tang. A smaller bristle tooth like a Tomini might be an even better choice.

 

[vetteguy53081]

100 gallons will house even a trio for now. When they say minimum tank size, it is referring to how happy the current tank will make the fish happy Based on its' growth potential.

 

[ZoaLuke]

100 gallons will house even a trio for now. When they say minimum tank size, it is referring to how happy the current tank will make the fish happy Based on its' growth potential.

Yeah alright thanks, we'd look for a small tang at the start, but would a 100 gallon tank house an adult yellow tang and would it be happy living there throughout its life? It would be the only tang with a couple other fish.

 

[ZoaLuke]

My yellow is in a 6 foot tank and uses every inch of it. I think it could be done but he should be the only tang. A smaller bristle tooth like a Tomini might be an even better choice.

Yeah it'd be the only tang in the tank with a few other fish, the tank is 4 foot wide and a bit over 2 foot deep and 1.5 foot high. Would the fish have a good quality of life in this tank or would i be preventing its behavioural lifestyle from buying it.

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I suggest you get the tang and get a small one. If you start with a juvenile fish, it will be more likely to be comfortable in its new habitat than if you get a fully grown one that spent a long time in the ocean. If the fish starts to show signs of stress, you can always sell it to another hobbyist. At least near me, fish sell fast in the reef club.

*edit/add If your yellow tang outgrows it's tank, A large fish usually costs more than a small one. You might be able to work with a local fish store to swap straight across your large yellow tang for a smaller one.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yeah alright thanks, we'd look for a small tang at the start, but would a 100 gallon tank house an adult yellow tang and would it be happy living there throughout its life? It would be the only tang with a couple other fish.

It will reach Maybe 5-6 " and I dont see an issue.

 

[saltyhog]

Yeah it'd be the only tang in the tank with a few other fish, the tank is 4 foot wide and a bit over 2 foot deep and 1.5 foot high. Would the fish have a good quality of life in this tank or would i be preventing its behavioural lifestyle from buying it.

We can never mimic the wild lifestyle of a fish like a tang in less than several thousand gallons but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a good quality of life. Having easy access to high quality foods, absence of fear of predation and lack of exposure to pollution/toxins are things that we can offer.

I've observed the species of tangs I keep (Gold Rim and Yellow) in the wild and can't discern any behavioral differences other than they cover less single direction distance than they would in the wild. I don't think you have anything to worry about if you do due diligence in learning and executing the proper care of the fish. That is what we all owe our tank's inhabitants. The fact that you're asking these questions and showing these concerns bodes well for the fish in your care going forwards IMO.

Best of luck, and keep asking questions!

 

[nereefpat]

Yeah alright thanks, we'd look for a small tang at the start, but would a 100 gallon tank house an adult yellow tang and would it be happy living there throughout its life? It would be the only tang with a couple other fish.

Yes, fine. Adding other laterally compressed fishes (tangs, butterflies, angels, etc) later on will be challenging. But if you're happy with 1 big fish, and then several smaller fishes (clowns, wrasses, blennies, gobies, dartfishes, etc), great.

 

[madweazl]

I placed a smaller yellow tang (about 2") in a 75g where it lived for three years without issue. I transferred it to a 150g a little over a year ago. It is about 4-5" now and still doing great. They're quite ornery so I certainly wouldn't make it the first addition to the tank. It ignores most of the smaller fish but the addition of angles and butterflies caused some turmoil initially. Most people underestimate how aggressive tangs really are.

 

[ZoaLuke]

Sounds great thank you guys for all the help i appreciate it so much and being able to see all of your opinions and we'll probably end up getting a yellow tang in about a month.
Thanks heaps,
Luke

 

[madweazl]

Sounds great thank you guys for all the help i appreciate it so much and being able to see all of your opinions and we'll probably end up getting a yellow tang in about a month.
Thanks heaps,
Luke

Make it 6 months and get all your other fish first.

 

[ZoaLuke]

Make it 6 months and get all your other fish first.

Oh yeah thanks sorry forgot about that

 

[Uncle99]

Yup, agreed, tangs go in last, and at the same time if at all possible.