Tangs in 20l

overanalyzer

overanalyzer

Active Member
I'll aviod the whole size recommendation issues and just state the reason why tangs need long tanks to swim in ....
Tangs are very active fish - and not in the swim in and out style, but on the reef walls they swim the length of a large area of the reef (up to 3500 feet in some species).
Tangs are not a fish that just stops growing .... they will continuye to grow regardless of feeding or not feeding.
Tangs are easily stressed fish ... they often times go from looking completely healthy to severly infected in a matter of days.
Tangs are equiped with a very efficient defense mechanism - those nice little scapels near the tail. Often times they will slash and kill smaller tank mates in order to increase their own space.
As for your question - I thought about a blue/hippo tang in my 20 but I did some research so I never purchased. It is my favorite fish. I have a 140 set-up and I still have not bought one.
Lastly- the smaller hippo tangs are not as hardy for some reason (I am thinking I will get a 3" one when I do add "dori" to my tank).
Good luck - I hope you decide agains the hippo until you get a larger tank. Nano tanks are fun and can be an awesome house for a fish ... but not - imo - for a tang.
 
fishman830

fishman830

Active Member
i have a young about 2 1/2 inch blue hippo in my tank, but i didnt know they'd accually kill smoone for more space, thanks overanalyzer :), ive had him 2 months tommarow
 
tyr-sog

tyr-sog

Member

Originally posted by karajay
They spend all day grazing and swim hundreds of miles a day in the ocean.

Exactly, so think about it. Ocean to a 100 gallon, ocean to a 20 gallon, splitting hairs for the tang. :rolleyes: I really don't think anyone has the right to lecture someone else in this hobby. We all do harm to the oceans reefs on a grand scale.
I say if you get him small and he grows slow, hey why not. If he grows over 6 " or so either get hime a larger tank or trade him in. Just dont be foolish and over crowd.
 
ryebread

ryebread

Active Member
fireo1o- Do not attempt to keep a Tang in a 20g aquarium. It will not thrive........it will suffer and eventually die. Another problem that you have is that you have a Yellow-Tailed Blue Damsel in that tank.......the exact colors of a Hippo Tang.......the Damsel will chase the Hippo around. The Hippo will become stressed out......die. As they say.......there are plenty of fish in the sea........just try to pick one that isn't so fragile.
J_G- Patience......might want to try it out sometime......I hear good things.
By the way......we have an excellent disease forum. :)
 
ryebread

ryebread

Active Member

Originally posted by Fishman830
btw where did you get that picture?
At the " Tangs in a 20 gallon " Photo Store!
 
karajay

karajay

Active Member

Originally posted by Tyr-Sog
I really don't think anyone has the right to lecture someone else in this hobby.
Lecturing? OY! I am going now.
BTW- I don't think my two tank-raised clowns caused much damage to the reef. ;)
 
fireo1o

fireo1o

Member
i was thinkin along the lines oftyr-sog, if it get a certain length i will buy a bigger tank or trade him with my friend who has a 75 gal
 
tyr-sog

tyr-sog

Member

Originally posted by fireo1o
that yellow tail damsel will actually be outa there bye the time i get some different fish bud.

I kinda agree with you if you read my post above but this well be your down fall fast. Over crowding, if your going to keep a fish that is already 3 inches and will only get bigger, at least make it his tank only.
 
tyr-sog

tyr-sog

Member

Originally posted by karajay
Lecturing? OY! I am going now.
BTW- I don't think my two tank-raised clowns caused much damage to the reef. ;)
No corals? Anyways, you know as well as I do, snatching these animals and corals isn't the healthiest thing for a reef.
 
ryebread

ryebread

Active Member

Originally posted by fireo1o
if i ever do, not saying i will, it will prolly be him and a percula
How Nemoesque.
 
bdhough

bdhough

Active Member
Keeping a fish successfully cannot be measured in a few weeks or months but years. Typical fish lives 3+ years and the ones we are talking about i would say 6+ and even 10+. Would you buy a dog or cat in the hopes of only being able to keep it alive for a year or two? That powder blue will get to be about 9 inches body wise one day which is a third of the length of a twenty long. A regal blue will one day reach at least a foot in body length which is close to half the tank. If he's healthy for a while more power to you but i'd recommend giving him the home he deserves in the next couple of months.
EDIT: btw seriously consider a dwarf angel. They don't get NEARLY as big and would be fine in an established 20L.....
 
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