Tangs

Hi all,
I have a 55 gallon tank. Currently I have a mandarin goby, blue and pink spotted goby, and a pair of clownfish.
I really like the powder brown tangs but I know they get too big for my tank.
If i get a small one, how long will it take for it to get too big for my tank?

 

I would not do it at all, 55 is to small for any tang to be honest

 

Yellow Eye Kole Tang

Kole Tang Profile - A profile of the Kole Tang

Hi Meagan

I dont know anything about your level of fishkeeping experience, so please make allowances for that fact when you read my reply

Tangs, many of the fish of this species are parasite magnets , if you are going to have a fish that gets infested with spots of various parasitic species, my money is it will be a tang

Some tangs are easier, less demanding than others , some are extremely demanding in terms of water quality and conditions , the powder brown may not be at the top of the list of demanding, ich prone tangs, but they are certainly closer to the top than is comfortable for many people

I have attached 2 links for Kole Tangs - 1 site has Min req at 30 gallons, the other has 55 gallons as the min tank size for Kole tangs
the Kole tang would be a better option for you IMO as they are less demanding in terms of conditions and are thus more likely to do well in your 55

Steve

 

You can get one for now as long as its a baby, but plan on upgrading. I have my sailfin in my 65g and hes doing fine but growing fast. Im already in the process of my 125g build. If I was you I would go with a kole tang, there fairly small but can be quite agressive towards other tang. Lol but no joke, to me kole tangs are not a very attractive tang and would rather wait and get a bigger tank and select a nice looking tang. I love my sailfin and glad I got him rather than the typical dori tang (hippo).

 

I don't plan on getting a bigger tank and the Kole Tangs are un appealing so i guess I won't be getting a tang.
Thanks

 

Hi Meagan
your attitude is a credit to you IMHO
other species of tangs that you could consider whilst they are small sized for a 55 are

Yellow, purple, sailfin , these 3 species IMHE are hardier and less prone to parasitic infections than other species including the Hippo/ Regal tangs

I have had all the above 3 species in 4ft tanks during my years (only 1 at any given time mind) and have found them to be reasonably hardy and I have not experienced anything other than minor parasite outbreaks (sailfin ) that was cleared up using nothing more than Garlic enhanced feedings

the yellow and in fact the purple tangs I have had, both remained parasite free during the lenght of time I had both species ( ultimately both did survive long enough to be at the point I considered their presence in that tank to be unfair to them)

I am not suggesting you do it, Im just sharing my own experiences with you.

I did not have such a good experience with a clown tang, that again was purchased small and thus I felt would be Ok until it out grew the 4ft - it never made it to that point, a heavy ich infestation, (explosion in a pepper factory) within 48 hours of being in the 4ft
and far quicker than I had enough experience to deal with at that time, resulted in the type of feelings I would not wish on a fellow reef keeper.

they dont set min tank sizes to deprive us of keeping these beautiful fish, they do it simply because the tangs chances of survival are better the larger the tank it is in, irrespective of how big it is when you purchase it

so whilst at times, the advice I might give may dissapoint people, I do it simply to spare those people the same sadness and regret I experienced.


Steve

 

You really think so? I love 'em!

 

Here's a couple of mimic tangs that are min tank size of 75gal.. but i think you should be ok..

Link: Buy Mimic Eibli Tang Online | Vivid Aquariums

Link: Mimic Surgeonfish / Tang

Heres one for min tank size of a 40gal..

Link: Halfblack Mimic Tang


Keep in mind all just ideas that may work in your reef set up...

Best of Luck...

 

I like the mimic tangs..

What a strange step in evolution to mimic surrounding angel fish?? I cant imagine what benefit it would have.

 

I was really just wanting a Powder Brown Tang not just a tang in general.
Thanks for all your replies.