1/2 inch blue tang help??

Hey Reefers.. I just purchased a 1/2 inch blue hippo tang.. I am running a 75 gallon with only 2 other fish which are to black ice clown fish.. He hid as soon as I put him in.. He has not come out yet. Was it a bad Idea adding such a small tang to a 75 gallon tank.. I will well appreciate your advice!

 

IMO yes it was! That fish's minimum tank requirements are 180 gallon! As he outgrows the tank he'll prob get Ich alot and be a battle for ya! I'd consider taking him back and getting a smaller tang or an angel!

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang

 

Wait, correct me if Im mistaken.. you said to get a smaller tang?? He is already super small? I thought you couldnt start them in such large tanks cause they get lost and wont feed?

 

To answer your question directly, blue hippo tangs are VERY shy. They will come out once they get used to you. This could take up to a couple of weeks or so.

 

Are you serious? Do you mean 1/2 inch as in 0.5 inches? That small probablly still requires special food such as cyclops or baby brine shrimp. Anything much larger will not fit in it's mouth. Hope it does well. Bet it's cute that small.

 

I believe he was referring to getting something like a kole or tomini tang.

 

I would have gotten one a little larger to start. Their survival rate is not good that small. I would take it back, because later it will be a problem in size (Large)

 

yeah, sorry, should've been more specific!

 

Ok Now I getting somewhere.. and yea he is 0.5 inches.. He ate brime and pelets at the fish store.. Im just afraid he wont come out since he might be really shy. But I have kept a blue tange for 3 years in my tank 29 gallons with no ich so I know how fast they grow so thats why I started with the smallest one I found so I can keep it for longer.

 

you kept a blue tang in a 29 for 3 years? His slow growth was probably due to that fact! Good luck to you in whatever you decide! I'd have a hospital tank ready just in case!