To many fish for my 55 gal?

[wafilms]

In my 55 Gal i have 1 percula clown, 2 blue damsels, 1 yellow tang, and one coral beauty, do you think this is to much??? i have a good amount of live rock(about 40 to 50lbs) and lots of places for the fish to hide i also have a coral banded shrimp and 15 to 20 hermits and some turbo snails, just would like some input from some more expierenced reef keepers being that im new thanks in advance for any input

 

[brandonberry]

I think it will be OK if you have a skimmer that can keep up with it. What type of skimmer do you have?

 

[wafilms]

this is my skimmer

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236418/product.web

 

[mr_X]

the yellow tang will outgrow the 55 very quickly.
you have 20 hermit crabs? you must really like them

 

[wafilms]

i like the crabs plus they keep the rock and sand clean...somewhat and i was afraid the tang would be to big, i know they get big just didnt know quite how big or how fast

 

[mr_X]

i guess it would depend on how you feed him. ultimately, tangs are open water types of fish. they like to swim long distances quickly, and are best suited for a larger tank. that's why alot of people say you shouldn't keep a tang in under a 6 foot tank.
i do have a yellow mimic in a 30 gallon cube right now, but he's only 2 inches long, and i fear he will get his butt kicked in the big tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a yellow tang in a 55 gallon. He seems pretty happy. I really think the key to keeping them calm and docile is keeping a piece of nori on their magfloat.

 

[SnowManSnow]

If you want a tang (they are great for keeping algae at bay) you COULD try to find a yellow eye kole tang. They tend to be a lil bit smaller for a lil bit longer. Cool looking fish too.

B

 

[brandonberry]

When it does get too big, you shouldn't have a hard time finding a buyer for it. A lot of people prefer to buy healthy fish that have been in captivity for quite a while, thus almost giving a guarantee that the fish will do well. I know I do. I wouldn't rush off to get rid of it quite yet. While I do agree that you shouldn't try to put a 6 foot fish in a 4 foot tank (exageration) I have seen yellow tank live for years in a 55g and remain very healthy. That's not to say that they wouldn't do even better in a larger tank though. I definitely agree that you need to keep a good supply of nori going. They will not get enough supplemental vegetation from the rocks alone in a 55g tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you are good with that fish load. You do not need to run off and get rid of the yellow tang. It should be good for a while in there unles it is already near full grown.

 

[wafilms]

hes very small for a yellow tang maybe 2 inches long, i plan on keeping him for a long time i always keep a piece of algae in the clip for him and the other fish are all doing really well, the coral beauty and the tang mess with eachother a lot is this normal? it seems like the tang is the one starting most of it, the beauty is usually able to get away easily because hes so small and just darts into some rock..anyway thanks for everyones input

 

[Mike612]

Yellow Tangs are a little territorial. I don't think it's anything to worry about though. If the tang starts tearing the angel's fins, then you're in trouble and have to get him out. The tang is just trying to defend all the algae on the rocks because he doesn't want to share. He wants all of it for himself.

 

[wafilms]

yeah its not that serious to the point of fins being ripped just chasing well hopefully they will be fine seems like they will be thanks again for everyones input

 

[ChrisRD]

The bioload shouldn't be an issue but the damsels may get nasty as they mature.