need opinions...

hey guys, i wish i could have had a more specific title to this thread, but i don't know how to word it... but here goes...

i need people's opinions on the max size of any particular fish in relation to the size of the tank, and amount of feeding... some people believe that you can have any size fish you want in basically any size tank, and as long as you limit the feeding, the fish will only grow so much, and then stop growing, and can still happily live in a smaller aquarium.. and then others say that a fish will keep growing until he can't turn around in an aquarium and eventually die because lack of exercise, overload on the biofiltration, etc. etc... first time i heard this was when i had a freshwater setup, and wanted an oscar, and then again when i was considering getting a blue hippo tang.. i'm just asking for people's opinions, experiences, theories.... right now, i would like some sort of triggerfish (one of the LFS's here has what they call a red-tail trigger that is about 4 inches or so)

 

Many fish will outgrow their surrounding tank...That being said, I gues you would have to look at their own needs. For instance a Grouper will get rather large depending on the size but it doesn't require alot of space to roam as long as they have food and a nice cave in which to retreat. Same goes for a Lion fish, as they basically just stay staionary for the most par, hence their size isn't as much of an issue as it would be for a Acanthurus or Pomacanthurus Large Angel or Lage Tang that forages and covers alot of territory for feeeding and territoriality boundaries!!!

 

Go to the website of any large fish vendor --ie Marine Depot, Liveaquaria, etc.

The usually have posted minimum tank size for different fish. (plus other "good to know" info.

 

i know all that already, but i was wondering if its possible to "stunt" the fish's growth so that it will remain smaller...and if not, scientists need to find a way to breed drawf species...my girlfriend wants the whole "nemo" crew, but she doesn't understand the need for a larger aquarium... LFS has a smaller blue hippo tang in a 75 gallon (i think) aquarium, and she swears up and down that it will fit in my 55... i try telling her that they get to at least a foot long, and need a lot of room to roam, but she won't listen...

 

I don't think you can stunt the fishes growth. It will either reach its maximize size or a few inches below because it didn't get that big. Every fish won't reach its maximize size, and attempting to keep a fish small will just hurt it.

I have no comment on the scientist part.

Your girlfriend needs to understand things. By her putting that blue tang in the tank, it will make it extremely unhappy and eventually kill it. I don't think its possible or healthy for a blue tang to be kept in a tank that size. They need swiming room, and it is cruel to do such a thing. Your girlfriend should listen and stop being stubborn...Think of the fish, not yourself.

 

Try showing your girlfriend the information from a book or online, as that should help her to understand...that is the whole thing, knowledge and understanding!!! Many times people make rash decisions or otherwise by not knowing the facts or having a clear cut knowledge of a particular subject!

 

If you want to keep a blue tang in your 55g you can always buy one of the small ones about 1.5-2" and trade it back to the store once it gets too big. Just remember to do a FW dip and QT the fish for 2-3 weeks because many of those blue tangs harbor ich. I would even consider treating it with low dose copper.
I would stay away from any trigger in that size tank. That red tail trigger may actually be a pink tail and they get about 12" in size. Triggers are also eating and pooping machines and will drive your nitrates up. If you don't keep that trigger fed it will munch on your snails and any other inverts.

 

i've decided against a blue tang until i move and get a bigger aquarium anyway... i've learned something really weird.... there really isn't a fish suitable for my size aquarium... that i've seen anyway.. everything's either super small and would look "at home" in a nano tank, or require 100+gallons... i want somewhat of a big fish that will stand off more than any other fish in the aquarium, but still remain peaceful and non-territorial... any suggestions? maybe an auriga butterfly... 8 inches, tank minimum is 50 (according to liveaquaria)

 

Pearl scale butterfly, coral beauty, flame angel, yellow coris wrasse, herald and lemon peel angels, scotts fairy wrasse, flasher wrasses, neon dottyback, royal gramma's, flame hawk fish, Klein's butterfly fish, gold bar maroon clowns to name a few beautiful fish that stay relatively small to moderate size that would be appropriate for a 55g tank. There are some beautiful blenny's as well- Red Sea Mimic Blenny, midas, canary and yellowtail fang blenny.

 

Don't overlook gobies...all kinds of neat possible choices there.