Concerning Tangs

[Anonymous]

 

[stubbsz]

Interested in what people say is OK for a fish and how big the fish can get. If a fish doesn't get as big as it does on the natural reef, does that really mean that you are being cruel or that the tank is too small.

I have a Yellow tang ( the biggest of my 4 fish by far ) in a 100g tank. He never really got that big in the 6 years I've had him and he's always looked extremely happy. Now last time I dived the Yellow Tangs were monsters compared to my little fellow and I wouldn't put one of those guys in my tank.

-Adrian

 

[Anonymous]

Interested in what people say is OK for a fish and how big the fish can get. If a fish doesn't get as big as it does on the natural reef, does that really mean that you are being cruel or that the tank is too small.

No it doesn't. Most fish do not reach full adult size in captivity, however with these fish it's not just a matter of size but swimming room. A 6" tang needs MUCH more swimming space than a 6" lionfish or grouper. Many are open water surge dwellers, and don't do well long term with less than the recommended tank sizes mentioned above.

Like I said in my post, yellow tangs will not reach full adult size in anything but the largest tanks. Even still, 72 gallons is the smallest tank you want to consider, and you are well above that with your 100 gallons. It's ONLY because they don't reach adult size that even some of the sizes mentioned in my post and others will work. I've seen yellow tangs the size of dinner plates, and if this was realistic in captivity, minimum tank size would be 200 gallons at least.

 

[Anonymous]

Its interesting the tradeoff between size and lack of predators. They may not be able to swim as far, yet they have no predators to attack them.

 

[Mihai]

I agree that the information is very good for a newbie. He's off in the size recommendations IMO as well. I have a yellow tang in my 90 gal and I think he'd be happier in a larger tank.

M.

 

[Jolieve]

I have one on my 75, I think he'd be happier in a larger tank, but he seems content in the 75. Now, considering that I've finally convinced my husband that I need a 300 gallon tank... I might just get it, but it will take some time to convince him that we need to start buying parts now, instead of waiting until I graduate from college.

J.

 

[MitchMc]

Great post surfzone 8)



I often wondered

would I rather be free and swimming all over only be dinner for a grouper at 3 months

or

would i rather be fat, swimming in circles and "bored" at two years of age :twisted:

as hobbes said about living in the majestic natural state of affairs

Leviathan[/color] ch XIII THE NATURAL CONDITION OF MANKIND AS CONCERNING THEIR FELICITY AND MISERY ":2w6szi6w].....and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.