Fool Me Twice LFS: Clown Tang?

Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!!! I have only been keeping a reef tank for 6 months now but I am not new to fishkeeping. You think I would of learned a long time ago not to listen to the guys at the LFS. I have wanted a tang for a while now. My 75g is now up and running so I now have the space. I was at the LFS picking up other stuff and decied to check out the fish. I saw a nice healthy ick-free chubby Clown Tang and got the LFS employee over to help me. 75g tank isn't hugh and I know some Tangs get BIG so I asked him How big the Clown Tang gets. He held up his hands. "About this big." 8 or 9 inches. So I bought it. It is doing fine and is only about 4 inches right now. I got it home and decide to do some more research on Clown Tangs and it looks like this thing is suppose to get 15" long!!! > Well there go my bioload out the window and I can't get anymore fish. The What About Tangs Link said 15" and PetSolutions said 15".
Is this a "Wild" mature size and if so How large sould I except this thing to get?
If not do you think I should be able to take it back? It is still health and all.

 

If they wont let you bring it back then you shouldn't do any more business with them. If you are a regular customer then they should listen and take your tang back after you show them that you know its supposed to get 15" long. JMO

 

Especially after you remind them that the employee said only this big....(9 inches)

On the other hand, keep him , and when he out grows what you want, then sell him to either a pet store or even in my town, there are many restuarants (not for food!!) and doctors offices, schools...that might make you a deal on such a lovely , well taken care for, Tang. At least get your enjoyment out of him and then let him go when he gets too big....

GL!
Scoffer

 

These fish do get big and very aggressive. They may kill your other fish. They need lots of room and at least a 180g tank. I would take him back.

 

i would take him back to the lfs they should take him back no problem since they had no idea what they were talking about if they do not take it back i would never do business with them again i have found that most employees at pet stores have no idea what they are talking about ;D :

chris

 

With the exception of our LFS NINJA and my wife of course [smiley=2thumbsup.gif] [smiley=glasses2.gif] [smiley=yelrotflmao.gif]

 

[quote author=Covey link=board=Fish;num=1108498725;start=0#0 date=02/15/05 at 15:18:45]Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!!!  I have only been keeping a reef tank for 6 months now but I am not new to fishkeeping.  You think I would of learned a long time ago not to listen to the guys at the LFS.  I have wanted a tang for a while now.  My 75g is now up and running so I now have the space.  I was at the LFS picking up other stuff and decied to check out the fish.  I saw a nice healthy ick-free chubby Clown Tang and got the LFS employee over to help me.  75g tank isn't hugh and I know some Tangs get BIG so I asked him How big the Clown Tang gets.  He held up his hands.  "About this big."  8 or 9 inches.  So I bought it.  It is doing fine and is only about 4 inches right now.  I got it home and decide to do some more research on Clown Tangs and it looks like this thing is suppose to get 15" long!!! >  Well there go my bioload out the window and I can't get anymore fish.  The What About Tangs Link said 15" and PetSolutions said 15".
Is this a "Wild" mature size and if so How large sould I except this thing to get?
If not do you think I should be able to take it back?  It is still health and all.[/quote]

ya they get big and mean.....but it really is your reponsibility to know before you buy. Not all workers are walking reference guides....i would actually say very few are....and those who do know alot may be more interested in selling an expensive fish than helping you with your hobby....I always probe deep whether I'm buying or selling. I would bet your tang doesnt get over 10-11".....what else did you want to get...?

 

[quote author=Diver_1298 link=board=Fish;num=1108498725;start=0#5 date=02/15/05 at 20:53:05]
With the exception of our LFS NINJA and my wife of course  [smiley=2thumbsup.gif] [smiley=glasses2.gif] [smiley=yelrotflmao.gif][/quote]

lol.... thanks!

 

Yea I know Sea. I did my research and knew the general Tang stuff. Reef safe, herbivorus, watch for ick+HLLE, I even knew the size of most of the common ones. I just had not seen a clown tang at that store before and just needed to know the common adult size. I didn't ask him some thing crazy like how to breed them in capitivity or something
I am going to try to return him this afternoon.

 

They took it back. The owner was there, returned it no problem. Store credit but not a big deal. The guy that sold it to me wouldn't even make eye contact. I am going to stick to small fish in my 75g.