Yellow Tang in a 55?

[Meloco14]

I just wanted some thoughts on adding a yellow tang to my 55. I realize tangs get large and need a lot of room to swim, but seeing as the yellow is one of the smallest I am wondering if I can keep one happy in a 55. I also realize the difference between keeping a fish alive and keeping a fish happy and healthy, and I definitely want to make sure I focus on the latter. I currently have 2 small ocellaris clowns, a yellow watchman, 2 neon gobies, and a 6-line wrasse in the tank. If I get a yellow tang I would buy a small one and probably would not add any other fish to the tank. I also might get rid of one of the neon gobies. Now, I need your opinions in deciding. Would the tang be happy in this tank? Would it be overstocked with the tang? Also, how quickly do yellow tangs grow? I am hoping it will take a while to get big and by that time I will have a larger tank. As far as tank conditions, there is a lot of open room to swim. I have two fairly open pinnacles of LR with a sand patch in between. All tests are fine, I currently keep SPS corals without a problem. I have never kept a tang of any kind so any advice would help. Also, assuming a small tang would be OK, how about a scopas? They are similar size to the yellow aren't they? Are their swimming needs the same or do they need more room? Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[Haloway]

IMO I would say no. Some may say that a juvenile would be okay as long as your 55 is 4' in length. But, tangs grow so fast that ultimately it will need more swimming room to be happy.

peace,

kevin

 

[Meloco14]

ok, thanks, any more opinions?

 

[Anonymous]

I feel the same. It'd be nice if we could move fish from tank to tank as easily as we move a cat or dog, but unfortunately it's very stressful on the fish. I always recommend adding a fish to a tank that it can live it's entire life in, with some notable exceptions.

 

[Meloco14]

Good point Matt, not to mention it's a PITA to catch a fish in a tank without destroying the rockwork. I guess this will just give me more motivation to upgrade to a larger tank in a few months :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I had mine in a 55, but now he's in my 125. I must say he really doesn't use the extra two feet. Overall he still has extra swimming space. However, I do feel that a larger tank would be more appropriate.

 

[shellshocked]

I will vote opposite the earlier posts. I have a 58 gallon oceanic and a yellow tang with two clowns and a pseudochromis. The tang is healthy as a horse and seems well adjusted and happy. The tang is about 3 years old. I think a 55 gallon would be fine. I got mine when it was small - so it probably is used to the tank - I think if you got one that was mature and used to a large tank then it might have problems.

 

[Fastmarc]

I have one in a 4 foot (50+ gal) tank and he's pretty healthy and fine. I've had one in this same tank that lived for about 9 years. IMO, the yellow tank does not require as much space as the larger tangs, (eg. Naso), but I agree the these fish would appreciate more room any time.