Purple Tang

Hello:

I am wanting to buy a fish for my newest tank. There is only 2 small fish in it now and I really want a Purple Tang. Is my 55 gallon glass tank with 70 # liverock going to be big enough for this marvoulous fish? I want him to be happy. I think it may be just big enough what do you think? Johno? Craig?
Matt? Anyone? Thanks for your thoughts.

Crossing fingers

Jay

 

Jay,
How big is the tang? If he is smaller say 2 inches you will be alright. I don't have a ton of expirience with tangs, but I have 1 in my 90 gallon and had some in my fish only tanks and they all did very well.

Sean

 

I dont have him yet but I want the tank to accomadate him for 2 years at least.

Hat

 

More important than volume is length. Tangs are very active and will do better if they have some room to "stretch their legs." I'd say a medium size tang should not be a tank that isn't at least 4' or longer. Others will, of course, have their own opinions.

 

A 2" one would be ok for a while I'd think, but 2 years ... I am not so sure. I think most will say your tank is too small, especially with rock. They need a lot of room to cruise. Check out some of the info in Craig's sticky thread on this board.

 

A purple Tang can get up to 10" in size in an aquarium and as was mentioned they do like to have room to swim. I would think if you start out with a small one you should be ok for a while but you should plan on going to a larger tank in the future. I will have to do the same with my Achilles Tang as they also get up to 10" and I only have a 4' tank. John

 

I have a purple tang in my 120g 60" long tank and he is 8" in size. He was about 3" when I bought him 2yrs ago. He has also become boss of the tank and has harrased the other fish. I've needed to put him in time out in my quarentine tank 3 times for 1 week each to settle him down. I dont recommend them for a tank that size. They will become aggressive and be unsettled in that tank. Of course there are always exceptions.

 

well i also have a 55 gal tank, alot more rock than u but...i really dont think there is enough room for that specific fish...i mean...since it is only 2 in u might be able to keep it for a while but...after a while he will just get way to big....

 

OK its settled then. I will buy the fish when I move to my new house when I find it. and then only after the 150 or larger tank has been installed. I really want a huge awesome reef tank someday. Some say Im just pissing away money. They dont understand the addiction. Yet they stand there in awe in front of our smallish tanks. Most of them even have new dodge pickups and suvs. I have a 92 ford explorer with 220 thousand on it and a 75 powerwagon that I love. Whos wasting their money. The house im looking at tommorow is an older one with a basement.....im thinking basement/sump/refugium/prop room. Sorry guys I was rambling.

Man...that sure is a pretty fish. What else looks as stunning but will not outgrow my 55 gallon 48 inch tank?

 

Anthia's, smaller wrasses like the velvet wrasse, fairy wrasses etc.. By the way, how well does your Coral Beauty and Bi Colored angel get along?