No yellow tang in a 55g???

radcast2

Member
Why not? This is just a simple debate dont take it personally and dont mock someone for there opinion.
I see people say because they need more room to swim. Needs more room to swim how do we know that? did a tang tell someone and he/she told the rest of the world?
They wont be happy. Happy!! if the thing is swimming and eating and not chasing or being chased it's happy. NO ONE has the ability to talk and understand what a fish is saying.
I guess it is because of the size the tang can grow. So if i get a yellow Hawaiian Tang at the size of 2" that is to big?
Thanks for helping me to understand as to why I cant put a yellow tang into my 55g.
Rich
 

leboeuf

Member
Buy a little one and remove him in two years when he gets big. Simple solution. I have three that I got around the size of half dollars and have not grown too much in the last six months. I also have a purple tang, and will be adding many more tangs!
 

lizardworks

New Member
I have to agree with LeBouef. If you buy them small with the understanding that they will have to be traded in a few years down the road, and provide plenty of swimming room, I don't see a problem. I've had them in my 58g with no problem. I've found the Yellow Tangs to be quite slow growing. Or at least it seemed that way. Everyday viewing can be deceptive though. Over five years, my Maroon Clown outgrew the Yellow Tang that was bigger when I put him in.
 

leboeuf

Member
I have a 215 set up with 350 lbs+ of LR. Lots of replies told me not to do it, but I didn't listen. Glad, it worked out fine and they are happy and healthy.
 

fshhub

Active Member
why? because they do grow.
they get 7 inches, and swim hard
a 55 is only 12 inches deep, and with rock, that leaves little room for turning and such, Unfortunately sw fish do not only grow to fit the tank.
AND most do not upgrade or trade them when it is time. Aside forme the fact taht we should be adopting and not borrowing our little friends.
How do we know they are not happy, well, a good sign of stress is ick, which is much more prominant in smaller tanks with tangs, than in larger. We also can get a good idea from their actions. I have seen tangs in 55 gal tanks that seem to pace constantly, same pattern, same rate of speed, same path. Back and forth, almsot never stoping. I have also seen yellow tangs in 90 and up gallon tanks that change cours, play weave in and out of rock randomly and do all kinds of stuff. I have watched this for more than a few minutes, we had a 5 inch yellow in the tank at work, which my boss bought.
Although not concrete evidence, seeing animals p[lay and watching them pace, is fairly evident. You see dogs, cats and fish do this. However, teh ick is a very valid arguement.
 

col

Active Member
I would go ahead and try it.
How can people say minimum size tank when the tank may be choc full of rock - How much swimming space then?
 

radcast2

Member

Originally posted by fshhub
why? because they do grow.
they get 7 inches, and swim hard
a 55 is only 12 inches deep,

How long does it take to become a 7" fish? My 55 is 21" deep 13" wide.
 

aileena

Member
this question has been debated as long as I've been on this board and probably even longer...I wouldn't put a tang in a 30g, as I learned from personal experiance, but when you approach the 55g threshold its always debatable. I have a new 60g that I am setting up now its 48 long 12 wide and 24 tall and I am going to put in a purple tang for sure...I think that as long as I don't overdue the LR and don't add too many more fish it should be fine...going to wait for a few months before I put it in though...
Its always up to you!!! some so no way and others say I've done it for years...I had a maxima clam under my vho's and was told it would die within 6 months...It didn't, it grew!!!! go figure...
 

fshhub

Active Member

Originally posted by radcast2
How long does it take to become a 7" fish? My 55 is 21" deep 13" wide.

ok. so i was off by 1 inch
not sure how long, that would partly depend on the size it is now.
But, you are talking several years for sure, if it is only about 2 inches.
 

flamehawk

Active Member
Personally beleive YT would be ok for the long run in 55. Rarely see a 2inch YT grow to 7 inch size in captivity. Mine is in a 125g for 4 tears and has hardly grown from purchase size of 5 inches.Good luck
 

leboeuf

Member
OK, the tang won't grow that quickly. You've got a couple of years to deal with the situation. Since some are concerned about borrowing animals and returning them, trade him! Someone would love a healthy large yellow tang and would be willing to give something in return. We (industry) trade frags all the time without thought. Call it a transfer adoption process for the bleeding liberals. Wouldn't want to hurt the fishes feelings!
 

wrassecal

Active Member
Ok I totally believe a yellow tang can grow to 7 inches. I've just never seen it. The biggest seem to be more around 4-5 inches. Does anyone have a 7 inch yellow tang? I've never seen one for sale or in any tank. I have a 135 and I'd love it if my yellow tang got that size, it would be so beautiful. Of course, if I had it in a 55 I'd freak out:eek:
 

leboeuf

Member
when I was in Houston last week I saw a large display tank with a dozen huge yellow tangs. The LFG told me they were a special order for an office tank. The biggest was a least 8-9 in long and BRIGHT yellow. The rest were all over 5-6 in. Incredible specimens................
 

radcast2

Member
Okay thanks all. I am hoping htat in about 2 years I will have upgraded to a 120g or so. I just wanted to know peoples opinion on this topic and I got many. If I get one i will not buy anything larger than 2" regardless of what kind of fish.
Thanks all for your help in understanding this better.
R.
 

fshhub

Active Member
<<<<<<<<<<<< NOT A BLEEDING LIBERAL, BY FAR!!!!!!!!!!!
we dont do this with dogs, cats or birds, why fish? IT is called responsibilty for our actions. When we get fish, we are accepting them to care for. I can tell you many things taht I do which would get me in serious heated debates with liberals and activists. SO............
As to siaze, we did have one that was 6 inches, befor we lost her. It was a tank at work, and during christmas we lost power for 3 and a half days:( :(
And it was in the low 20s at best that week. A generator would not have helped I do not think(even if they would have let me hook it up) B/C the building was still below 20 degrees at night, it was barely 30 in the high point of the days. Unfortunately, we did loose her, but in this case, it really was beyond anyones control.
 

radcast2

Member

Originally posted by Bluetangclan
Yellow and Kole tangs will do ok in a 55.

Sorry but is the Kole also known as the Yellow Eye tang? I have been told they can do wonders to brown algae. The one i saw has small horizontal line on it's body and brown with a yellow ring around it. Beautiful fish, Liked that one more than the Hawiian Tang personally. Seemed to have more of apersonality.
I got to see a 4 1/2" Tang (approx) that has been in a 55g for almost 3 years he said it was about 2"-3" when he bought it and said is wa the best thing he ever bought. Well thanks all.
R.
 

radcast2

Member

Originally posted by fshhub
ok. so i was off by 1 inch

LOL 21"-12"=9" so you were off by 9" hehehe, but i think i know you meant width.. Okay well thanks guys I actually would prefer to have the yellow eye(Kole) than a yellow tang. The koles seem to have more of a personality than the yellow tang. Im not sure i will put one in but i just wanted to see opinions, as to see if anyone had them in a 55g and think it is fine. Thnaks All very much
R.
 

fshhub

Active Member
12, not 13(one inch off)
height of tank does not mater in this case, only length and width(or front to back)
I guess a little more clarification should have been used)
 
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