Can i get a yellow tang?

[hallzy]

I have a 29 gallon tank with no other fish. I have some coral as well. I have read up on yellow tangs and most say that u need a large tank for a tang. The smallest I read was at least a 55 gallon. But I have plenty of rock, but still ample room for swimming, and it would be the only fish I would keep. If I buy him small, would he be ok in my tank?

 

[meowzer]

NO

 

[hallzy]

What would happen to it? I don't understand why they need so much space, esspecially if it is the only fish.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by hallzy http:///forum/thread/384413/can-i-get-a-yellow-tang#post_3367178
What would happen to it? I don't understand why they need so much space, esspecially if it is the only fish.
Tangs are very active swimmers.
It's kind of like taking a thorough bred race horse and never letting it out of it's stall. Sure it will live but it's probably going to end up as a very unhealthy and stressed out fish in the long run. Most would advise against it.

 

[meowzer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/384413/can-i-get-a-yellow-tang#post_3367180
Tangs are very active swimmers.
It's kind of like taking a thorough bred race horse and never letting it out of it's stall. Sure it will live but it's probably going to end up as a very unhealthy and stressed out fish in the long run. Most would advise against it.
+1.....I have one in the 225G and if you watched it swim throughout the whole tank, you would have your answer....they like to do laps...up...down...around....in a 29G they would be sooo limited...stressed, and probably end up dying from it

 

[aquaknight]

To answer the "what actually happens" bit, I've heard that due to the confined space, the fish tries to stop growing, but is able to just stop the skeletal structure, the organs and the rest continue to grow, leading to severe problems down the road.
I've only "heard" that. The thing is most of the time, the fish dies from disease, carpet/tile surfing, tank crashes, injury, etc resulting from the too small of space/stress, long before we can find that out.

 

[yannifish]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/384413/can-i-get-a-yellow-tang#post_3367180
Tangs are very active swimmers.
It's kind of like taking a thorough bred race horse and never letting it out of it's stall. Sure it will live but it's probably going to end up as a very unhealthy and stressed out fish in the long run. Most would advise against it.
+1
I have a 55 gallon, and I cant imagine a tang in it. I've seen tangs in action, and they need room. The more the better.

 

[spanko]

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/384413/can-i-get-a-yellow-tang#post_3367666

*waving at Spanko!* Why not have a tang in a 55G? Oh heck......people break rules all the time. Geeesh (kidding) had my tang po po detecter on!!

 

[spanko]

***waves back*** Where have you been sir? Let's get some new pics up in your 56 thread.

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/384413/can-i-get-a-yellow-tang#post_3367908
***waves back*** Where have you been sir? Let's get some new pics up in your 56 thread.
*big sigh* Been busy busy busy. I will get something up soon. Today or something. Anything exciting going on lately...