tangs re: size and tanks

[milky]

I have a beautiful yellow tang about 3"x3" nose to tail. I've only had him for 2 days and I'm concerned my tank may not be big enough for him. I've got a 33 gal. with a maroon clown and 2 chromis's and a cb shrimp.
I also am using live rock. I have 20 lbs. right now but I'll be getting more as my tank is only 3 1/2 weeks old. It cycled in 1 week.
I know tangs are known to prefer large tanks.
I'd like to hear from anybody experienced with tangs. Thank you
Mike

 

[hawkeye]

IMO the tank is to small. They need lots of room to swim. At least a 55, but more like 65 is the smallest tank a tang should be in.

 

[amphiprion]

A healthly active tang is going to need more room than a 33g tank. I have a 4 year old tang that was kept in a 75g tank, even that was too small in the end. I have since upgraded to a 125 - 6' tank. In the best possible world, you should take it back to the lsf, but I know most people won't. Make sure it has plenty of greens (Seaweed Selects or dried Nori) to eat, feed it vitamin enriched brine shrimp, Mysis, Spirulina enriched shrimp. Try to elimintate any stress. These fish stress easily, get ick easily, and are prone to Head/Laterial Line Erosion (HLLE). If you are going to keep it, you should start making plans to upgrade to a larger tank.

 

[amphiprion]

No argument from me,jw. You are absolutely correct.

 

[ke4nfy]

I learned my lesson the hardway. Tangs IMO do not belong in a tank that small. I am in the process of designing my new 125 gallon fowlr so I can have a tang.

 

[becky]

I learn a lot by reading other ppl questions.. and i really appreciate this info on tangs.. as i was also thinking about getting one myself. What does HMO stand for?