Room for Yellow Tang
- Thread starter revjaxson
- Start date
1journeyman
Active Member
You need "length", not width.. Tangs like to "pace" back and forth while they graze.
fedukeford
Active Member
most people will say 72" at the least, but ive seen it done with SMALL yellow tangs in a 55, SMALL
puffer24/7
Active Member
60 inches is fine to do it with
1journeyman
Active Member
Michael's says that a Yellow Tang can be kept in a 75; so I would have to assume that means 48 long. (or however long a standard 75 is)
Honestly though, I think that is too small. Tangs get aggressive, and that is not much room for them to take their aggression out in.
Honestly though, I think that is too small. Tangs get aggressive, and that is not much room for them to take their aggression out in.
scubadoo
Active Member
Originally Posted by revjaxson
Thx for the replies. I was thinking of a small yellow tang in a straight jacket.
There seems to be such a conflict on minimum size. However, the concensus here, seems to be don't do it.
Over the past several years we have developed a further understanding as to the requirements of many species. Adult yellow tangs grow to about 8" long. One would think a 48" tank is sufficient but it simply does not provide adequate swimming space.
Also, once an animal develops stress from living in cramped quarters they may not survive a move to a suitable home. There is no way of really knowing the exact time as to when the animal should be moved. IMO...this is why it is always best to already have the system in place that can house the animal through adulthood.
A Kole tang will do well in a four foot system through adulthood. Perhaps you can consider this tang for your set-up
Thx for the replies. I was thinking of a small yellow tang in a straight jacket.
Over the past several years we have developed a further understanding as to the requirements of many species. Adult yellow tangs grow to about 8" long. One would think a 48" tank is sufficient but it simply does not provide adequate swimming space.
Also, once an animal develops stress from living in cramped quarters they may not survive a move to a suitable home. There is no way of really knowing the exact time as to when the animal should be moved. IMO...this is why it is always best to already have the system in place that can house the animal through adulthood.
A Kole tang will do well in a four foot system through adulthood. Perhaps you can consider this tang for your set-up
bonzaiblit
New Member
Yellow tang is fine in 55. I purchased my YT (6") in July and she has been fine ever since. I understand that if she grows to 10" I may need to move her.
scubadoo
Active Member
Originally Posted by bonzaiblit
Yellow tang is fine in 55. I purchased my YT (6") in July and she has been fine ever since. I understand that if she grows to 10" I may need to move her.
COnsider returnig the fish soon. Success in this hobby is measured in years...not days, weeks or months.
There are no absolutes but odds are the yellow will develop stress from cramped quarters and die.
Also, yellow tangs do not reach 10"....closer to 8"
Just trying to help.
best of luck.
Yellow tang is fine in 55. I purchased my YT (6") in July and she has been fine ever since. I understand that if she grows to 10" I may need to move her.
COnsider returnig the fish soon. Success in this hobby is measured in years...not days, weeks or months.
There are no absolutes but odds are the yellow will develop stress from cramped quarters and die.
Also, yellow tangs do not reach 10"....closer to 8"
Just trying to help.
best of luck.
L
luvtangs
Guest
I have a baby yellow and a baby hippo in my 60 gallon. They do great in there! they seem to have alot of room for now. Im not 1 to be opposed to upgrading though, I've done it twice already in just few months. I'd like to get a 150 for them after christmas!
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by bonzaiblit
Yellow tang is fine in 55. I purchased my YT (6") in July and she has been fine ever since. I understand that if she grows to 10" I may need to move her.
I've said this before and I'll continue to say it... How the heck do you know your fish is "fine"? Have you studied the fish in its natural habitat? Have you necropsied the species and studied muscle mass? Are you an expert on feeding habits?
If you can't say "yes" to all of the above, then you should listen to the experts who have... if Michaels, Fenner, Calfo etc. say a Tang needs more room, then how can you say "but my fish is fine after 6 months?"
Yellow tang is fine in 55. I purchased my YT (6") in July and she has been fine ever since. I understand that if she grows to 10" I may need to move her.
I've said this before and I'll continue to say it... How the heck do you know your fish is "fine"? Have you studied the fish in its natural habitat? Have you necropsied the species and studied muscle mass? Are you an expert on feeding habits?
If you can't say "yes" to all of the above, then you should listen to the experts who have... if Michaels, Fenner, Calfo etc. say a Tang needs more room, then how can you say "but my fish is fine after 6 months?"
revjaxson
Member
Wait a minute. I think we're splitting hairs. Holy crap, we take them from the OCEAN!! You think they have enough room there? Of course. Think of what all that space does for their muscle mass. They need 60 inches of swimming room. So please don't be cruel and place them into a 48" tank. sheesh.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by revjaxson
Wait a minute. I think we're splitting hairs. Holy crap, we take them from the OCEAN!! You think they have enough room there? Of course. Think of what all that space does for their muscle mass. They need 60 inches of swimming room. So please don't be cruel and place them into a 48" tank. sheesh.
Again... read my posts carefully. Many fish are not suited for aquarium keeping. Other fish spend most of their lives in the same couple of feet of reef. They can be great aquarium fish.
No splitting hairs; we're talking about the MINIMUM area needed for a fish to establish its territory and to 'feel" comfortable.
Also, more and more fish are being bred in captivity.
The aquarium hobby can be a great educational tool, as well as a pleasure to the hobbyist.
Wait a minute. I think we're splitting hairs. Holy crap, we take them from the OCEAN!! You think they have enough room there? Of course. Think of what all that space does for their muscle mass. They need 60 inches of swimming room. So please don't be cruel and place them into a 48" tank. sheesh.
Again... read my posts carefully. Many fish are not suited for aquarium keeping. Other fish spend most of their lives in the same couple of feet of reef. They can be great aquarium fish.
No splitting hairs; we're talking about the MINIMUM area needed for a fish to establish its territory and to 'feel" comfortable.
Also, more and more fish are being bred in captivity.
The aquarium hobby can be a great educational tool, as well as a pleasure to the hobbyist.
aufishman
Member
I know what the general rules call for a lot of space, but a lot of time they are bunk. I've have a juvi YT that I've kept in a 29 gal for over a year and it’s doing great. He was in bad shape when I got him, but is doing great now. His coloration is spectacular. Obviously, I’ll get chided for this (and your mileage may vary), but my experience contradicts greatly from popular opinion.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by AUFishman
I know what the general rules call for a lot of space, but a lot of time they are bunk. I've have a juvi YT that I've kept in a 29 gal for over a year and it’s doing great. He was in bad shape when I got him, but is doing great now. His coloration is spectacular. Obviously, I’ll get chided for this (and your mileage may vary), but my experience contradicts greatly from popular opinion.
Again.... YT's muscle mass, type and structure calls for swimming room. I don't care how "great" you think your fish is doing....
I'll use this analogy again: I had friends in college who had a Rotweiler for a pet. They lived in a 600 square foot apartment.... the dog seemed happy.. was that what was best for the dog? Of course not. Should they say you should keep large dogs in small apartments because their experience showed it was ok? Of course not.
This isn't "opinion". If you observe Tangs you'll see that they need plenty of room to swim.
I know what the general rules call for a lot of space, but a lot of time they are bunk. I've have a juvi YT that I've kept in a 29 gal for over a year and it’s doing great. He was in bad shape when I got him, but is doing great now. His coloration is spectacular. Obviously, I’ll get chided for this (and your mileage may vary), but my experience contradicts greatly from popular opinion.
Again.... YT's muscle mass, type and structure calls for swimming room. I don't care how "great" you think your fish is doing....
I'll use this analogy again: I had friends in college who had a Rotweiler for a pet. They lived in a 600 square foot apartment.... the dog seemed happy.. was that what was best for the dog? Of course not. Should they say you should keep large dogs in small apartments because their experience showed it was ok? Of course not.
This isn't "opinion". If you observe Tangs you'll see that they need plenty of room to swim.
aufishman
Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Again.... YT's muscle mass, type and structure calls for swimming room. I don't care how "great" you think your fish is doing....
I'll use this analogy again: I had friends in college who had a Rotweiler for a pet. They lived in a 600 square foot apartment.... the dog seemed happy.. was that what was best for the dog? Of course not. Should they say you should keep large dogs in small apartments because their experience showed it was ok? Of course not.
This isn't "opinion". If you observe Tangs you'll see that they need plenty of room to swim.
His muscle mass is fine. The difference between 40 inches and 200 inches is pretty insignificant when you consider where the wild caught fish came from to begin with. It has great color and finage, feeds agressively, no disease, and it gets along well with its tank mates. So yes, the fish is doing great, there's no debate about that. I'm just saying the popular opinions don't always hold true in every instance. Obviously, when dealing with a smaller tank you need to be very careful what other types of fish you introduce. That being said, keeping a solitary yt in a 55 gallon tank is not an act of futility.
Again.... YT's muscle mass, type and structure calls for swimming room. I don't care how "great" you think your fish is doing....
I'll use this analogy again: I had friends in college who had a Rotweiler for a pet. They lived in a 600 square foot apartment.... the dog seemed happy.. was that what was best for the dog? Of course not. Should they say you should keep large dogs in small apartments because their experience showed it was ok? Of course not.
This isn't "opinion". If you observe Tangs you'll see that they need plenty of room to swim.
His muscle mass is fine. The difference between 40 inches and 200 inches is pretty insignificant when you consider where the wild caught fish came from to begin with. It has great color and finage, feeds agressively, no disease, and it gets along well with its tank mates. So yes, the fish is doing great, there's no debate about that. I'm just saying the popular opinions don't always hold true in every instance. Obviously, when dealing with a smaller tank you need to be very careful what other types of fish you introduce. That being said, keeping a solitary yt in a 55 gallon tank is not an act of futility.
scubadoo
Active Member
Originally Posted by AUFishman
His muscle mass is fine. The difference between 40 inches and 200 inches is pretty insignificant when you consider where the wild caught fish came from to begin with. It has great color and finage, feeds agressively, no disease, and it gets along well with its tank mates. So yes, the fish is doing great, there's no debate about that. I'm just saying the popular opinions don't always hold true in every instance. Obviously, when dealing with a smaller tank you need to be very careful what other types of fish you introduce. That being said, keeping a solitary yt in a 55 gallon tank is not an act of futility.
Actually, the difference between 40" and 200" is very significant in closed marine systems. It is the difference between animals living to adulthood healthy and happy...and animals living shortened lifespans dying prematurely from disease and/or stress.
Some anaimls will thrive in smaller systems while others cannot.
Sure, they seem to be happy for some period...and every now and then one survives for an extended period..
There is a diffeence between living and surviving. Those animals placed in systems too small are surviving...those placed in adequate sized systems are living.
JMO
His muscle mass is fine. The difference between 40 inches and 200 inches is pretty insignificant when you consider where the wild caught fish came from to begin with. It has great color and finage, feeds agressively, no disease, and it gets along well with its tank mates. So yes, the fish is doing great, there's no debate about that. I'm just saying the popular opinions don't always hold true in every instance. Obviously, when dealing with a smaller tank you need to be very careful what other types of fish you introduce. That being said, keeping a solitary yt in a 55 gallon tank is not an act of futility.
Actually, the difference between 40" and 200" is very significant in closed marine systems. It is the difference between animals living to adulthood healthy and happy...and animals living shortened lifespans dying prematurely from disease and/or stress.
Some anaimls will thrive in smaller systems while others cannot.
Sure, they seem to be happy for some period...and every now and then one survives for an extended period..
There is a diffeence between living and surviving. Those animals placed in systems too small are surviving...those placed in adequate sized systems are living.
JMO
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by AUFishman
His muscle mass is fine...
Have you necropsied it?
Tangs are built to swim. A tang in a small tank cannot get up to "cruising" speed. We all know that muscles that aren't used are not healthy.
His muscle mass is fine...
Have you necropsied it?
Tangs are built to swim. A tang in a small tank cannot get up to "cruising" speed. We all know that muscles that aren't used are not healthy.