minimum tank size for blue hippo

[pipsqueak]

I was looking on this sight at the blue hippos and am intereted in getting one but I don't know if my tank is big enough for it. I checked the different sizes for them on the fish page that shows the prices and they show different minimum tank sizes... 40 gal, 90, gal and 150 gallons. Does anyone know what the actual minimum tank size should be? I have a 55 gallon tank and I don't want it to outgrow the tank.

 

[m0nk]

Well a Hippo Tang will certainly outgrow a 55 gallon. They get to be almost 12 inches. Most people suggest you have a 6' long tank, and I believe that length starts around 125 gallons. If you put a tang in a 55 gallon as a juvenile (1 inch) it will need to move into a larger tank by the time it reaches about 2 years old MAX. So, my suggestion is either to get a bigger tank (or start planning on getting the bigger tank asap) or don't get the tang. Hope that helps.

 

[reefstar22]

I think 125 gallons is the min for a tang.
Two parts to the answer :: 1) You'll want more than 1 tang. 2) They LOVE to swim all over the place, putting them in a small tank is just mean.

 

[lucky?]

55 is fine for a juv. tang, for a while. 75/90 is almost the same tank/ but not enough for a med size tang... and no tang is a med size tang! I have 8 tangs( two 240 gal. tanks) after observing my fish I would never house any of them in anything less than an 8 ft. tank. However, If you want any tang you can start small but YOU MUST HAVE PLANS TOR UPGRADE AS YOUR FISH GROW. the small hippo will be fin for a while, if yout like me you'll keep upgrading tanks. Final answer: imo sm hippo(2-4):90 gal med(4-6)125 gal LRG(6-8)hippo 210 gal XL/Show 240 to 300 gal. Those guys like to swim alot

 

[sepulatian]

A hippo will be alright for a little while in a 55. The tank size is not so much to accommodate the size of the fish, but the fact that they are open water swimmers. Tangs cannot be kept in small areas for long. They go stir crazy and will decline in health. A 2" yellow tang will not be happy for long in a 55. The hippo grows much larger. Please don't buy fish unless you already have a tank to suit them.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by Pipsqueak
I was looking on this sight at the blue hippos and am intereted in getting one but I don't know if my tank is big enough for it. I checked the different sizes for them on the fish page that shows the prices and they show different minimum tank sizes... 40 gal, 90, gal and 150 gallons. Does anyone know what the actual minimum tank size should be? I have a 55 gallon tank and I don't want it to outgrow the tank.
These numbers are based on the size of the fish at the time of purchase.

 

[pipsqueak]

Well I guess that answers my question. I'm glad that I asked. Thanks for the responses.