Calling All Tang Police!

Really? In captivity? Perhaps I should join the squad as if they get that big I would think Tangs should only be in monster systems. Imagine a 1 foot fish in even a 8th tank. Even that would seem to small.

 

My point exaclty. They just look weird swimming back and forth in most aquariums.

 

You seem to think the "Tang police" as you call them is something bad. As I see it they are just people concerned about the best way to take care of a certain species.Whats wrong with that? Does that mean Evolved is with the Wrasse police?LOL;D I recently put A Tomini tang in my 90. He grew at least two inches in three months and even though I only have two chromis, a mandarin, and a barnicle blenny in there with him I still feel he is a bit cramped. Maybe I worry too much but as I see it that is to the fishes benefit.

 

Not at all. just having a little fun with a well used term in our hobby. If I was not concerned with what's best I would not have asked. Tang police are great as long as it is constructive feedback. I've seen times where it has not been. Every piece of advice offered here in both directions I feel has been sound.

 

Consider yourself an honorary member.LOL;D;D;D8)

 

Lol Sweet! Thanks for all the input everyone k+

 

Tough call. But after watching my Naso, a 6 ft tank is a must. those fish prefer to pace from end to end vs most other tangs that will go all over the place and peck at the rocks. FWIW, I have an 8" Naso in my 180. at times I feel she is too big for it. But now that the Sohal is gone, she is much more at ease and calm.

 

I am curious as to why a 4' tank is not okay? obviously swimming space is an issue but every fish is different arent they?
I currently have a naso in my system which i think is too small(most will too) 120g, 4x2x2. I went to buy some frags off this guy and when i was at his house he had this nice 45 gallon tank with a bunch of damsels and this tang in there. The tang was in awful shape, barely eating, super skinny, terrible line disease. pretty much was gonna kick the bucket real soon and this guy said he was probably just wait a few days and flush it.

I was opposed to this obviously so easily convinced him to let me take him off his hands. Brought him home, threw him in a qt for 4 weeks, and then added him back to my fish only system, since ive done this about 2 months now he is big and fat and healthy and colorful. I felt i should sell him or trade for something, but as i watch him he looks very happy in my tank, eats well. doesn't fight. he swims but in a much more similar fashion to my powder blue and purple tang just swimming through rock work and looking for algae alot. Overall he's not darting back and forth looking cramped or anything and gets along with the tank mates fine. My most active swimmer is my porcupine puffer, they never stop going. always up and down side to side, always staring you down.

So my situation i wasnt looking to add a fish like this to my system but after seeing it almost dead and bringing it back to good health i want to keep it because it looks happy. hes about 5-6 inches long now.

my tangs are also supposedly very aggressive. (the purple and powder blue) but as long as ive had my lion-fish in the tank, no tang tries to be the boss of the tank. no aggression and lots of playful swimming together.

after reading my story i guess my question is what behavior distinguishes if a tank is too small. because this tang(the naso) doesn't appear to be an active swimmer from his behavior that ive observed so far. ???

 

I would say it probably is not an active swimmer in your tank because it has no room to do so. Aggression is not always evident in a tank i.e. ripped fins,or chasing. Non physical aggression can be just as stressfull as physical aggresion. All Tangs are swimmers. If you have ever been diving or seen fish on a reef Tangs are constantly on the move never staying in one place for very long. Since it is impossible to ask a fish if it is "happy" we must use our own judgement on what that actually entails. There is a big difference in keeping a fish alive and eating and a fish that is "happy". I am with Seano in the case of these fish needing a huge tank in order to obtain this.

 

Being an avid diver, I have to agree, however I would also add that depth is a big deal as well, I have never seen a tang in less than 3-4 meters of water . . . . . . . . . . . Does this mean that they are not happy outside of this natural environment ?
I live for my fish, I have 5 tanks, and spend as much time travelling the world diving and giving up time to clean reefs of tourist debris etc, I won't ever see a fish in peril or harmed, I think the rule of thumb is "do the best for everything you adopt, get the best advice , do the right thing". I doubt whether anyone on here would harm or see harm done to a fish or coral

Just my 2pence worth