jon321
Member
I personally think fish are EXTREMELY adaptable creatures, and met 1/2 way in regards to food, water quality, and space they will do just fine. It would be interesting to hear from people who moved a tang from say a 55 or 75g tank to a larger say 150 or 180+ gallon tank and if they noticed any difference in the fish. In any event, Id still go with a dwarf angel, for the simple reason that they stay smaller, aka, you can get more different fish in the tank without overstocking.
My opinion.
Jon
My opinion.
Jon
ophiura
Active Member
A problem with that, however, is judging the relative "happiness" if you will of a fish. And that is very very difficult to tell.
But I do know at least one thing. At the LFS I worked at, there is a 40,000g tank with many types of tangs. I know that they are not fed special diets...when I was there they were fed koi pellets. I know that the nitrates are not pristine. But there is not a sign of HLLE on those tangs. They are quite fat and lovely just picking at the nuisance/slime algae in that tank. The cause of HLLE is open to debate, often thought to be at least in part diet or water quality related. But I think it is an overall sign of stress, and a stress that may certainly arise from being in a small tank, in close quarters with other tangs/fish.
I think if people really commonly observed these tangs in huge tanks...the size they get, and their behaviors....then they might see that in fact smaller tanks do have an impact. JMO tho
But I do know at least one thing. At the LFS I worked at, there is a 40,000g tank with many types of tangs. I know that they are not fed special diets...when I was there they were fed koi pellets. I know that the nitrates are not pristine. But there is not a sign of HLLE on those tangs. They are quite fat and lovely just picking at the nuisance/slime algae in that tank. The cause of HLLE is open to debate, often thought to be at least in part diet or water quality related. But I think it is an overall sign of stress, and a stress that may certainly arise from being in a small tank, in close quarters with other tangs/fish.
I think if people really commonly observed these tangs in huge tanks...the size they get, and their behaviors....then they might see that in fact smaller tanks do have an impact. JMO tho
granny
Member
I love reading some of these posts. Its almost as if we were sitting around the living room together having a discussion.
I, who know better, just put a very small yellow tang in my 75 gallon. Why? because he was getting the tar beat out of him by a purple tang in the same 90 gallon tank-that also housed a Kole tang- This was another one of my sympathy buys-He truly does seem 'ecsatic' as far as fish go. No one picks on him, there is lots of mature live rock. I provide seaweed sheets as well as a huge variety of other food. He has already gained some heft-was razor thin with torn fins in the fish store. He and my Coral Beauty have struck up a friendship. They both like the same food and swimming in and out of caves. Do I wish I had a larger tank-yes, I do-but I wont because I am married to a man who thinks money spent on thishobby is like tossing it out the window. I had to sneak in my 29gal when he was out of town-and that was to house a few fish that I had overloaded my 75 with. Its just a no win situation. BUT ALL my fish are healthy and I have a terrific LFS that will take any of my fish in store trade if they get too large, arent compatible or I just want a change. So, I will keep this yellow tang till he feels better, looks better and has grown to a point where he just seems not to fit comfortable in anymore.
I can always donate my fish to the Marine Science Museum. They love donations!!
In good health-
Granny
I, who know better, just put a very small yellow tang in my 75 gallon. Why? because he was getting the tar beat out of him by a purple tang in the same 90 gallon tank-that also housed a Kole tang- This was another one of my sympathy buys-He truly does seem 'ecsatic' as far as fish go. No one picks on him, there is lots of mature live rock. I provide seaweed sheets as well as a huge variety of other food. He has already gained some heft-was razor thin with torn fins in the fish store. He and my Coral Beauty have struck up a friendship. They both like the same food and swimming in and out of caves. Do I wish I had a larger tank-yes, I do-but I wont because I am married to a man who thinks money spent on thishobby is like tossing it out the window. I had to sneak in my 29gal when he was out of town-and that was to house a few fish that I had overloaded my 75 with. Its just a no win situation. BUT ALL my fish are healthy and I have a terrific LFS that will take any of my fish in store trade if they get too large, arent compatible or I just want a change. So, I will keep this yellow tang till he feels better, looks better and has grown to a point where he just seems not to fit comfortable in anymore.
I can always donate my fish to the Marine Science Museum. They love donations!!
In good health-
Granny
S
sinner's girl
Guest
That being said, I have had my Yellow in a 6' tank for 6 years. It's time to move it to the Lagoon (8' X 8'). It is now large enough where it can't "open up" in just 6'.
Thanks, that long term...
Okay, no yellow tang till I get a bigger tank, although I hope to have a bigger one within 5 years, I can't count on it since I don't have the tank. I also hope to have a kid within 5 years, and don't know if I'll have the time for kid and multiple tanks.
But ultimately, the question again is if you are fine with the situation - stunted growth, disease or shortened lifespan of the fish.
Nope, that's why I was asking for success/long term results. I don't want to stress the fish or shorten it's lifespan, I also didn't know they could live that long!
I've gone this long without a yellow, I can wait longer.
I don't mind have a starfish tank, though I may add 2-3 fish after I move it. As much as I love my stars, I want fish and other inverts also. (although, after a year the green brittle is coming out more...I've seen his whole body a few times lately, rather than just an arm.)
Also, how much lr would be enough for a yellow tang (or any tang?), I can start getting more lr a little a time if I need too, and start planning for when I do have a bigger tank.
Thanks, that long term...
Okay, no yellow tang till I get a bigger tank, although I hope to have a bigger one within 5 years, I can't count on it since I don't have the tank. I also hope to have a kid within 5 years, and don't know if I'll have the time for kid and multiple tanks.
But ultimately, the question again is if you are fine with the situation - stunted growth, disease or shortened lifespan of the fish.
Nope, that's why I was asking for success/long term results. I don't want to stress the fish or shorten it's lifespan, I also didn't know they could live that long!
I've gone this long without a yellow, I can wait longer.
I don't mind have a starfish tank, though I may add 2-3 fish after I move it. As much as I love my stars, I want fish and other inverts also. (although, after a year the green brittle is coming out more...I've seen his whole body a few times lately, rather than just an arm.)
Also, how much lr would be enough for a yellow tang (or any tang?), I can start getting more lr a little a time if I need too, and start planning for when I do have a bigger tank.
aclimateme
Member
Originally Posted by Sinner's Girl
I also hope to have a kid within 5 years, and don't know if I'll have the time for kid and multiple tanks.
what type of lighting and how many gallons are needed for a kid?
I also hope to have a kid within 5 years, and don't know if I'll have the time for kid and multiple tanks.
what type of lighting and how many gallons are needed for a kid?
tcm88
New Member
I've kept a yellow tang for 6 years in my 75 gallon tank no problems. I also have a clown tang in there. They are fine. They get algae almost everyday but at least weekly. The clown tang has only been in the tank for a few months but they are both doing great. The tank is four feet not six too.
N
nereef
Guest
a clown tang does not belong in a 75
ophiura
Active Member
The following is JMO and a philosophical discussion, not directed at any one and open for exchange
A lot of people can and will come in and say their fish are fine in such and such a tank. But the key point is for it to work ideally for many years. And for the fish, at the same time, to continue to grow which will happen if they are healthy. If they do not grow.....
This really is a matter of perspective. If you, the hobbyist are fine with it, and the fish are alive...then it is likely to be fine for you. But few people come on to say when it doesn't work.,..and when it doesn't work even fewer will say it was the tank. Often it was "cyanide collection" or "something killed it" or "they have a short lifespan." Always keep it relative - you may not hear the failures. People by nature avoid blame and uncomfortable questions.
IME, a yellow tang and purple tang can be an extremely antagonistic combination even in larger tanks. It worked in one case, may be very very bad in another - perhaps in the majority of cases. But few come and say "I put a yellow and purple tang together and one killed the other" because sure enough the answer would be along the lines of "I could have (or did...) told you so."
I had about 18 purple tangs in a 3500g reef tank and they beat the snot out of each other until heirarchy was established. Similar tangs often do. That is the nature - and normal behavior - of tangs. And normal behavior = healthy tangs. I am probably happier to see two tangs sparring then to see them "as friends."
The question in my mind still stands...if they are fine, why have they not outgrown the tank? Why did it only live 2, 3, 4, 5 years? I think anyone who keeps fish that do get sizeable does need to sit down with themselves and ask that question after several years. Be honest with yourself.
But in the end, at least remember that the fish may be fine because you are fine with the situation. The fish can't say anything different other than displaying stunted growth, HLLE, or a far reduced lifespan, etc.
A lot of people can and will come in and say their fish are fine in such and such a tank. But the key point is for it to work ideally for many years. And for the fish, at the same time, to continue to grow which will happen if they are healthy. If they do not grow.....
This really is a matter of perspective. If you, the hobbyist are fine with it, and the fish are alive...then it is likely to be fine for you. But few people come on to say when it doesn't work.,..and when it doesn't work even fewer will say it was the tank. Often it was "cyanide collection" or "something killed it" or "they have a short lifespan." Always keep it relative - you may not hear the failures. People by nature avoid blame and uncomfortable questions.
IME, a yellow tang and purple tang can be an extremely antagonistic combination even in larger tanks. It worked in one case, may be very very bad in another - perhaps in the majority of cases. But few come and say "I put a yellow and purple tang together and one killed the other" because sure enough the answer would be along the lines of "I could have (or did...) told you so."
I had about 18 purple tangs in a 3500g reef tank and they beat the snot out of each other until heirarchy was established. Similar tangs often do. That is the nature - and normal behavior - of tangs. And normal behavior = healthy tangs. I am probably happier to see two tangs sparring then to see them "as friends."
The question in my mind still stands...if they are fine, why have they not outgrown the tank? Why did it only live 2, 3, 4, 5 years? I think anyone who keeps fish that do get sizeable does need to sit down with themselves and ask that question after several years. Be honest with yourself.
But in the end, at least remember that the fish may be fine because you are fine with the situation. The fish can't say anything different other than displaying stunted growth, HLLE, or a far reduced lifespan, etc.