Running this by the tang police

Okay i have a 56 gallon tank, which is 30x18 footprint and 24" tall (like a 90 gallon missing 18" in length). As it stands I have a black clown (going to be adding another), a large pink/blue spot goby, and a neon dottyback. I currently have an african flameback angel in QT at the LFS (long story, but I have a tank that is "mine" there, they deal with maintenance and feeding, but nothing goes in it except stuff that's on hold for me, love being a VIP, they love my money). Today, I was at a local reef club meeting and after finally seeing it in person, I'm fairly certain I want to get a Kole tang. The normal ratio I try to keep is 5x length (fish vs tank) and 2x width, so I'm basically trying to get fish in the 6" or so range, but I know most folks say no tangs in small tanks. I just wanted to see if this fish would be pushing the envelope too much. Beyond what I have, and the tang, I plan on adding either some firefish or scissor tail gobies to fill out the tank.

 

Ummm, I had a kole ina my 55 once, of normal dimensions.... Depends on how much rockwork you have. Its a meh choice, it will theoretically fit, but... Seeing as I was going to upgrade to a 90 within 2 years, I would have tiime before it grew out so I could move it to a bigger home.
The ethics question will probably be posted here, and I must say that 30in is just too small. 48" might be a bit close too, it may not look like it, but in two fin strokes he will cross your tank and a half. So to recap, my answer would be a no. If you want a cool active fish, maybe go for wrasses or some of the larger dwarf angels and butterflies?

 

I would say no unfortunately, ( i have I build in progress for that tank, check my sig ) its to skinny of a tank for a tang, and I really want a hippo.

 

I have a 95 "wave" tank (now that its aqueon instead of all glass, I think they call it a "surfline." Its 48 long, on one side its 18" deep, on the other end its 24" deep (kind of a best of both worlds on the depth front). but it might take me 9-12 months to pay for it and get it "fish ready" Does that help?

 

Well if you get a small tang like a 3-4 inch one I think you should be fine..
I've seen many people succesfully keeping a regal tang or a yellow tang in a 55g.
If I'm correct Kole tangs are as big as a regal?
Now the fish can't be in there forever because it will definitely outgrow your tank. So I you really are upgrading or plan on trading when it gets to big I think you can get it.

 

The Kole is much smaller than a regal, and a decent amount smaller than a yellow.

I don't agree on the assessment, though. I wouldn't put a tang in that tank.

 

Get it but once it grows up sell to the lfs

 

Why is that? I know the tank is in the small end for a tang, but if the tang is a juvenille and it's temporary ( till it outgrows it or he upgrades) I don't see why not? A 4footed tank isn't really bad if it's a juvenille.

 

30 x 18 x 24 != a 4 foot tank

 

Exactly. That is a 56 gallon "cube" tank. I could have a 110 gallon tank that is 36"Lx 12"W x 48"H. This would not fit a tang either even though the tank has 110 gallons of water in it.