Is a Naso Tang to big for a 85 gallon tank?

sco999

Member
I am going to be building a 85 gallon acrylic reef ready tank with dimensions of 48"x20"x20". I would like to keep a couple of percula's a naso tang and a yellow tang. Would this be to much fish for my tank? I will be using a 40 gallon sump/ref. with Live rock and Live Sand in the system.
Thanks
 

dmc888

Member
Here is a description..
The Naso Tang, also known as the Orangespine Unicornfish, darkens with maturity. Naso Tangs from Hawaii are often more brightly colored than those found in other areas. As a juvenile, the Naso Tang from Hawaii is dark gray with a blue stripe following along the dorsal fin and an orange stripe in the anal fin. When matured, the body takes on a reddish-brown tone and the juvenile striping is supplemented with additional color. The tail takes on a lyre shape with a yellow vertical bar towards the back. Two orange patches appear at the peduncle spines near the tail. The face undergoes the largest change. A thin, black mask forms between the eyes and mouth. The mask is outlined with bright yellow and the lips develop a reddish-orange color.
A 125 gallon or larger aquarium is necessary to provide plenty of swimming room, and places to hide, with a tight-fitting lid provided to prevent jumping to escape. It is aggressive towards other tangs, but peaceful with other fish in the tank.
Max size is 1ft and half
Tangs are very sensitive and get stressed easy.
So even if you can handle the bioload if it gets stressed constantly it will eventually die.
Could go for a 120g.:thinking:
 

sco999

Member
What about a hippo tang or a clown tang? Would those be better? Would they get along with the yellow tang? Or is one tang per tank recomended?
Thanks Again
 

lion786

New Member
how about kole tang , i have one with yelow and really get along good vey friendly to each other
 

ophiura

Active Member
I agree on the Kole tang...IMO, not even the yellow should be in there "long term" (a couple of years). Active swimmers, they need a longer tank as they grow.
The Kole tang (aka yellow eye) is a "rock hugger" and tends to spend a lot more time chowing down on algae on the rock work and glass. I think a naso or clown would be a particularly bad choice. The hippo and yellow are not the best combination in there long term either.
If you have a 6' tank or longer immediately available (or have definite plans and the money being set aside for a larger tank within 2 years), then I would be a bit better with it. But if that is not the case, just stick with the Kole.
 

sco999

Member
What if I were to go with a 100 gallon tank 60"x18"x20"? Could I have a kole, a white cheek, and a yellow. Along with a couple of percula's?
Thanks everyone for your much needed help.
 

ophiura

Active Member
IMO, no... Maybe the yellow and Kole, but not the white cheek, a rather delicate fish (along with powder blue/browns, gold rims, achilles, etc).
If you get up into the 150-180g tank size....assuming it is a standard tank and not some different footprint then you could be including some of these tangs (naso, white cheek, clown - but not all).
 

sco999

Member
So a yellow, kole, and a coulple of percula's would be ok for the 100 gallon? Would I be able to have a couple of blenny's and some yellowheaded jawfish as well? I plan on using a 40gallon sump/ref.
Thanks again
 
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