Just another silly question

[jrod4u]

I understand the heated debate among keeping tangs in a tank less than 125g, however, when I look at what swf.com has to offer, they have to hippo blue tangs which seem different in size. They suggest on one to 150g minimum, the other they list at 40g minimum. Is this possible? And if not, why do they bother to list them seperately. Being a little new at this, it seems to add to the confusion. I have a 55g tank and don't plan on getting a tang (awwww) but I was just curious on the difference of suggestions. Can anyone clear this up?

 

[spanko]

The job of any retailer is to sell product. That said they are telling you the smaller ones can be kept in a smaller tank. What they don't tell you is how fast they grow and how soon you would have to move them to a larger tank. The best advice if you are planning to keep a fish long term is to ensure your setup is large enough to accommodate it's adult size and it's environmental requirements. Doing so you and the fish will be better served.
Here is kind of a guideline on tangs and tank sizing. Rest assured it is the bare minimum requirement but nonetheless you get an idea from it.
# Acanthurus achilles, Achilles Surgeonfish, 100 gal (380l).
# Acanthurus coeruleus, Atlantic Blue Tang, 75 gal (285l).
# Acanthurus japonicus, Powder Brown Tang, 75 gal (285l).
# Acanthurus leucosternon, Powder Blue Tang, 100 gal (380l).
# Acanthurus lineatus, Lined or Clown Surgeonfish, 180 gal (680l).
# Acanthurus nigricans, Whitecheek Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).
# Acanthurus olivaceus, Orangeshoulder Surgeonfish, 135 gal (510l).
# Acanthurus pyroferus, Mimic Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).
# Acanthurus sohal, Sohal Surgeonfish, 180 gal (680l).
# Acanthurus tristegus, Convict Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).
# Acanthurus tristis, Indian Mimic Surgeonfish, 75 gal (285l).
# Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis, Chevron Tang, 100 gal (380l).
# Ctenochaetus strigosus, Kole's Tang, 75 gal (285l).
# Naso brevirostris, Spotted Unicornfish, 180 gal (685l).
# Naso lituratus, Orangespine Unicornfish or Naso Tang, 135 gal (510l).
# Naso unicornis, Bluespine Unicornfish, 200 gal (760l).
# Paracanthurus hepatus, Pacific Blue Tang, 100 gal (380l).
# Zebrasoma desjardinii, Indian Ocean or Red Sea Sailfin Tang, 135 gal (510l).
# Zebrasoma flavescens, Yellow Tang, 75 gal (285l).
# Zebrasoma scopas, Brown Tang, 75 gal (285l).
# Zebrasoma veliferum, Sailfin Tang, 135 gal (510l).
# Zebrasoma xanthurum, Purple Tang, 100 gal (380l).

 

[jrod4u]

I figured as much. I already had it in my head to not get a tang anyway, but upon reading what they had, confused me, but nonetheless, I figured I would ask before doing something completely stupid. Thanks spank on your advice, it is very much appreciated and also informative. I really do have to give it up to LFS also, when I first started, I wanted to get some fish once everything was in, and they actually refused to sell me any fish until I was ready. I commend them on that and so far so good. ;-)

 

[spanko]

Which store is it?

 

[hammerhed7]

Ok, at the risk of kicking off another tang war I will go on record and say there is nothing wrong with keeping a small tang in a 55. A 3" blue tang in a 55 will have more swimming room comparatively to an 15" naso in a 180.
Tangs will not explode if you put them into a tank less than 6feet. The question you need to ask yourself is if you buy a small tang, which then becomes your responsibility, are you going to be willing to set up a larger tank, or find a proper home when the fish outgrows you tank? Personally I never buy a fish I can't house for it's lifetime with the tank I have now, upgrade plans usually get pushed back for numerous reasons, money, moving etc.
If you do decide to buy a small one, I would only consider a ellow, or a kole. yellows are typically available in a 2" size. They grow fairly slow I have a yellow in my 220 that I bought at 3", and 2 years later he is about 4.5" despite eating like a pig.
Oh one last thing, finding a proper home does not mean dropping off the fish you have taken proper care of for a couple of years at a LFS so they can sell it to someone with a tank smaller than yours that has been set up for three days at an inflated price so they can make a buck.

 

[jrod4u]

As far as the store, local in ludington. Since I started the aquarium, I always thought first of how big the fish was going to get before buying them. I want the fish for it's life, rather than have to worry about someone else taking it, if someone else takes it. And the proper care it would receive. I am sure at some point I will get a bigger tank, which would probably be years down the road, but I am ok right now with not having a tang, there are plenty of beautiful fish out there that will be happy with what I have. Very good advice though, hammerhed.

 

[trouble93]

Originally Posted by jrod4u
http:///forum/post/2846388
As far as the store, local in ludington. Since I started the aquarium, I always thought first of how big the fish was going to get before buying them. I want the fish for it's life, rather than have to worry about someone else taking it, if someone else takes it. And the proper care it would receive. I am sure at some point I will get a bigger tank, which would probably be years down the road, but I am ok right now with not having a tang, there are plenty of beautiful fish out there that will be happy with what I have. Very good advice though, hammerhed.
Speaking of Tang's I was getting ready to ask a question along the same lines...I have a 125gal. It's been up and running for about 8 weeks on fish yet I have a chance of getting a juvenile black tang for around $175.00 give or take a few bucks awsome fish and from what I understand pretty rare especially for around here...First would this be a good first fish for this tank and 2nd is there anything I should know about this breed??? I'm always leary when things sound to good to be true. I did go and see it last night saw it eat looked very happy to me.