Number of Fish?
- Thread starter jrfloyd
- Start date
ryancw01
Member
Well, you are probably going to catch some heat on here with 2 tangs in a 65, but I will answer your question. You could maybe get a diamond goby to help with the sandbed or maybe 1 or 2 small anthias. The reason I suggest anthias is because they kind of just hang out close to the top of the waterline waiting for food to pass by. They dont really go in the rockwork too much.
R
rcreations
Guest
The guy at the fish store will tell you 10 tangs is ok because the more tangs you buy, the more money they make and when your tangs die and you go back to buy more, they make money again. It's best if you do research before you go to the fish store.
jrfloyd
New Member
I don't see anything on this site under Yellow tang or Regal tang that says they shouldn't be kept together? I'm confused??? They have more than one tang in the tanks at the fish store? They don't seem to be bothering each other. I just watched them swim very close together without either reacting to the other one. They seem very peaceful.
browniebuck
Active Member
the problem with tangs is that they need a great deal of space to swim in and most get quite large when they reach adulthood. Most people (the "tang police") suggest that your tank be a minimum of 6 feet long in order to keep a tang. I had two tangs in my 55 when I first started....they started a large outbreak of ick in my tank which killed virtually everything.
I agree with the above poster regarding the LFS. They are in it to make money. There are a few stores in my area that are more reputable than others, however even they are still in it to make money. I know that two of my LFS will advise against certain fish, one even refused to sell a fish to a lady based upon what she stated her system to be (wanted a porcupine puffer for her 20 gallon tank).
Also, when researching fish for your tank, look at a variety of sites before making a purchase. Some sites give the minimum tank size for the size fish that they currently have...not for their adult sizes. Some sites list the minimum tank sizes on the VERY minimum. What I suggest is that you pick a list of fish that you are considering and then post the list on here for others to view and comment on. Go through the advice and make your selections then. This will save the lives of your fish and save you a lot of money in lost livestock.
I agree with the above poster regarding the LFS. They are in it to make money. There are a few stores in my area that are more reputable than others, however even they are still in it to make money. I know that two of my LFS will advise against certain fish, one even refused to sell a fish to a lady based upon what she stated her system to be (wanted a porcupine puffer for her 20 gallon tank).
Also, when researching fish for your tank, look at a variety of sites before making a purchase. Some sites give the minimum tank size for the size fish that they currently have...not for their adult sizes. Some sites list the minimum tank sizes on the VERY minimum. What I suggest is that you pick a list of fish that you are considering and then post the list on here for others to view and comment on. Go through the advice and make your selections then. This will save the lives of your fish and save you a lot of money in lost livestock.
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rcreations
Guest
It's not that you have 2 tangs together that's the problem. A 65 gal tank is not big enough even for one tang, let alone two. Tangs need larger tanks even when they're small.
seamandrew
Member
isn't there a rule 1 inch of fish per 2 gallons of water?
browniebuck
Active Member
there really isn't a set rule for saltwater. If you go by that rule...are you going by size at purchase or are you going by adult size? It also depends on the type of fish....a 2-3" firefish doesn't need as much space as a 2-3" tang...with saltwater...you kind of have to be willing to ask questions and take advice from those that have been in your situation in the past. In this hobby, research is key. Find a good book, find someone on here that you trust, or visit several different websites and try to find a consensus (this would be the least favored of the choices...most of the websites that you find information on a given fish are trying to sell you fish...so they will underestimate the needs of the fish).
seamandrew
Member
Yeah, brownie, sort of what I do... but I thought there was a generic rule....
jrfloyd
New Member
brownie, I have been told that the size of the tank would limit the growth of the fish. Do you know if this is true? I do see on this site different min tank sizes based on the size of the fish. I guess that I should always look at the adult size to determine if my tank is big enough. I appreciate the post..
mony97
Member
To the best of my knowledge I dont think the tank will limit their growth, it will, however, stress the fish, which as stated can lead to issues such as Ick.
Also as a side note, you would have to get rid of your current tangs, but if you really wanted a tang that can work in a 65g look into the Kole Tang.
My .02
Also as a side note, you would have to get rid of your current tangs, but if you really wanted a tang that can work in a 65g look into the Kole Tang.
My .02
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by mony97
http:///forum/post/3216117
To the best of my knowledge I dont think the tank will limit their growth, it will, however, stress the fish, which as stated can lead to issues such as Ick.
Also as a side note, you would have to get rid of your current tangs, but if you really wanted a tang that can work in a 65g look into the Kole Tang.
My .02
I agree. Cramped space does not seem to stunt the growth of SW fish like it does FW fish. Makes sense, SW fish haven't evolved in crowded ponds, etc. Crowded conditions + not enough swimming space = stress= fights and parasite problems. A QT program will eliminate the parasite worry.
I'd do some real research before you buy fish---your lfs guy cannot be trusted as a source of info.
This is a great hobby/addiction and I hope your early experiences don't sour your interest. I'd suggest you read a couple good books cover to cover; like Bob Fenner's "The Conscience marine Aquarist."
http:///forum/post/3216117
To the best of my knowledge I dont think the tank will limit their growth, it will, however, stress the fish, which as stated can lead to issues such as Ick.
Also as a side note, you would have to get rid of your current tangs, but if you really wanted a tang that can work in a 65g look into the Kole Tang.
My .02
I agree. Cramped space does not seem to stunt the growth of SW fish like it does FW fish. Makes sense, SW fish haven't evolved in crowded ponds, etc. Crowded conditions + not enough swimming space = stress= fights and parasite problems. A QT program will eliminate the parasite worry.
I'd do some real research before you buy fish---your lfs guy cannot be trusted as a source of info.
This is a great hobby/addiction and I hope your early experiences don't sour your interest. I'd suggest you read a couple good books cover to cover; like Bob Fenner's "The Conscience marine Aquarist."
R
rcreations
Guest
It's really difficult with saltwater to have a general rule. There are fish that swim a lot, like tangs and other fish like lions or scorpions that are mostly static and many other kinds just fall in between the two extremes. You also have to look at the amount of waste they produce... a puffer for example produces a lot more waste than a clown fish. So 1 lion doesn't equal 1 clown fish. The best thing to do is research the type of fish you want before you go to the store.
