Is a Tang for me?

I have read some of the posts re: Tangs and I am still unsure if I should get one. My tank is marginal in size or too small it seems and I have lots of live rock. I wish to purchase 1 yellow tang to help with algae control and great looks of course, I want a peaceful tank focusing on corals and invertebrates, probably won't have more than 6 or 7 smaller fish, the Tang being largest. I am new as a reef keeper as my Max has been "wet" for only 1 month and I want to do it right. (see my blog and album)

If a Tang won't work can someone recommend another herbivore that mite be ok.

 

how many gallons? imo you need at minimum 75 to have a tang , which it will prob still outgrow. my flame angel picks at the lr and glass alot. nice coloring. but theres a possible draw back with them , as some have been known to coral nip. mine hasnt tho

 

Thankfully, your preference is for a Yellow tang which is a bit more peaceful and doesn't grow as large as some of his cousins. I kept a yellow tang and a regal (hippo) tang together in a 70 gal without any difficulty. You should be fine with a yellow tang in your 250 L (66gal) tank. It might be nice to start off with a small one, that's my personal preference even for big tanks.

 

I would say 55 minimum for a young yellow tang but it will outgrow it. Have you looked at any other algae eaters?

Rabbit fish IMO are the kings of algae eaters and are not as active or as large in general as surgeon fish.

 

I would say no. If I'm thinking of the red sea tank you have its only around 3' long. That's not a lot of horizontal swimming space for a fish that loves to move. You would be fine with a juvi, but once it hits 5-6" your tang might start getting a little testy at the lack of elbow room.

~Will.

 

Thanks for the input -- I probably won't get a tang -- still looking for a herbivore that would fit the bill.

 

have you looked into dwarf angels at all?

~Will.

 

No to dwarf angel's, any type in particular??

 

Rabbitfish love macro algae but wont be much help cleaning rocks and glass,they actually create more waste than they remove,big appetites,grow fast.A small Kole Tang is a good possibility,they clean everything,grow slowly,are hardy and very peaceful,though not very colorful.Dwarf angels are iffy with corals,might be okay with a flame but you need very good water quality,their ich prone.Lemonpeels are beautiful but are the most likely to nip corals from what Ive read.Hope this helps,Dave

 

Rabbitfish generally get quite large, as big or larger than tangs.

Kole tangs are not as hardy as people say given they have a very specific detritavore diet meaning you need an aged tank.

Angels generally don't touch corals. Ones that do are the exception not the rule. I've kept a coral beauty which was quite fine with coral but at one point just faded away for no apparent reason. Angels will often pick at clams.