tank rqmts for yellow tang

[skbise98]

Please try not to flame me too much but I am considering a yellow tang for my 55. I have read on this site and others that a 75 or larger is recommended but I am trying to find out why. I went to the lfs and measured up to a 120 and each one was 48" long just like my 55. So my question is why do I need a larger tank if the whole purpose was for swimming? Its the same distance no matter which tank I have. I realize that the bigger ones are deeper but is that really going to make that much of a difference? Thanks in advance for ALL honest advice. Just please be gentle as I am new to this.

 

[keith burn]

IMO 55gal in small for a full sized y tang.
But if it is small ie 2/3in will be ok but not for long.
It is not a question of swimming it is the long term life of the fish not good in small tanks.
If you donot have the 55gal with a lot of fish in it,it will be ok for a time but move up soon.
A 2y old boy will be ok in a 6x6 room but in 3y he will not.IMO

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by skbise98
http:///forum/post/2458431
Please try not to flame me too much but I am considering a yellow tang for my 55. I have read on this site and others that a 75 or larger is recommended but I am trying to find out why. I went to the lfs and measured up to a 120 and each one was 48" long just like my 55. So my question is why do I need a larger tank if the whole purpose was for swimming? Its the same distance no matter which tank I have. I realize that the bigger ones are deeper but is that really going to make that much of a difference? Thanks in advance for ALL honest advice. Just please be gentle as I am new to this.

Yellow tangs are open water swimmers and have a lot of energy. They do best in a 6 foot long tank. They are often kept in smaller tanks at stores, but remember that they do not intend to keep them. Some people do manage to keep them healthy in tanks smaller than six feet, but I would not advise it. A 90 or a 120 would be fine IMO if the aquarist is experienced and knows how to spot and relieve stress to their fish. A 55 gallon tank is far too small to house a yellow tang long term. Often times people buy these fish intending to upgrade but then never do and the fish suffers. I would not recommend that anyone purchase a fish that they cannot safely house now. Welcome to the boards

 

[nycbob]

if ur tank is 48 inches long, u can start off with a small one like 1-2 inches long. but in 3-4 years, they can grow big. but then again in 3-4 years, who knows rather the tang would still be alive bc so many things can happen, like power outage, disease or tank crashed. on the plus side, u can always get a bigger tank in 3-4 years. tangs in general need a lot of swimming room. btw, u r my 2000th posts.

 

[skbise98]

Thanks for all of the input, I really appreciate it. My plan is to upgrade to a 120 in a few years, I know everyone is rolling their eyes thinking "yeah right", but that is my plan. However, I will hold off on the yellow tang for now. Congrats on the 2000th post bob.

 

[tangwhispr]

don't buy a fish based upon the idea of getting a bigger tank...buy fish for you tank that you have now. as previous posters have said tangs are active swimmers and really need a 6ft or longer tank...I never really use gallons as a measurement, as there are 4ft 120 gal tanks...

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by skbise98
http:///forum/post/2458685
Thanks for all of the input, I really appreciate it. My plan is to upgrade to a 120 in a few years, I know everyone is rolling their eyes thinking "yeah right", but that is my plan. However, I will hold off on the yellow tang for now. Congrats on the 2000th post bob.
No one is rolling their eyes at you. I applaud you for asking first. I am glad that you plan to wait. Tangs need plenty of growth on the rocks. They graze all day long and they really do need larger tanks to swim in. I have seem plenty of tangs become ill or get large white stress blotches just from being in smaller tanks. You are making the right choice