Ultimatereef.com TOTM keeps a yellow tang in a 30gal...
 

The new TOTM on Ultimate Reef (a UK forum) has a yellow tang and a dragonet in his packed 30gal. Is anyone else bothered by this? Seemingly only one person on their site objects to it... http://www.ultimatereef.com/TOTM/2010_august/

On the RC site people are keeping them in their nano tanks.One person has 2 tangs in their 18 gal.

I have always sympathized with the Tang police at heart however nowadays I wonder whether all of us aren't guilty of the same thing. I have snorkeled in Hawaii beside a school (? shoal) of 100 to 200 yellow tangs. Within a few seconds they moved over an area twice the size of my house. I agree that keeping Tangs in a nano is a horrible idea. The question is, am I any better having Tangs in my 120? Or anyone else I've seen keeping Tangs in a 4, 6, or even 8 foot tank.

Some fish I have seen while diving seem to stay in a small territory, for example a group of Royal Grammas each staying near its own little spot on the reef. Fish with this sort of swimming habit seem suitable for aquariums. Fish that swim over large areas constantly don't seem fit for an aquarium of any size.

I am bothered by it especially when the reefer is honoured. It tells you a lot about Ultimate Reef the UK forum.

It would never never happen on Canreef even if the corals dazzled like diamonds.

[quote=trilinearmipmap;539235]I have always sympathized with the Tang police at heart however nowadays I wonder whether all of us aren't guilty of the same thing. I have snorkeled in Hawaii beside a school (? shoal) of 100 to 200 yellow tangs. Within a few seconds they moved over an area twice the size of my house. I agree that keeping Tangs in a nano is a horrible idea. The question is, am I any better having Tangs in my 120? Or anyone else I've seen keeping Tangs in a 4, 6, or even 8 foot tank.

Some fish I have seen while diving seem to stay in a small territory, for example a group of Royal Grammas each staying near its own little spot on the reef. Fish with this sort of swimming habit seem suitable for aquariums. Fish that swim over large areas constantly don't seem fit for an aquarium of any size.[/QUOTE

You have a larger tank.
If you observe a tang in a 3 or 4 foot tank swimming and than observe one in a 6 foot + tank swimming it is easy to see the difference. In the small tank the tang kinda swims around and in the longer tank he really motors from one end to the other.
Tangs are swimmers and need the larger room longer tanks provide. (A Kole tang would be an exception though)

Tangs are swimmers and need the larger room longer tanks provide. (A Kole tang would be an exception though)[/quote]

Exactly the type of tang I want for my 4' 100 gallon.

not bothered in the least.. years ago 30-40ish was the minimum for a yellow tang, but now the self proclaimed tang police have inflated that to a standard swimming pool.

also if you have been snorkiling in Haiwii you will have noticed the larger tangs swim all over the place, the juviniles tend to stick to one area as long as there is food, and in the 50+ times I have been snorkiling in haiwii I have even noticed if there is an abundance of food the adults dont stray far at all. so compair that to our tanks, abundance of food, strong curent to give them exercise.. if the tank is set up right there is no reason an aproperate sized tank can't be in it.. my problem would be a full growen fish that can't turn around in its home or even get off a little blast of speed.

Steve

Exactly the type of tang I want for my 4' 100 gallon.[/quote]

Ya, you will love the Kole. Choose an active one with clear eyes, no blotches or tears or spots.
It is a film algae eater so keep one end or a part of your tank glass 'dirty'. You can also buy some of the smooth stones LFS sell for freshwater tanks and pile them up. They get covered in film algae very soon and also they act a a safe home for pods. A pod pile.

Stir Crazy, I know you never agree with my posts but you have to admit a packed 30 gallon tank is far too small for an adult yellow tang. I think most reefers are tang police on this one!

You say 'not bothered in the least' and then you contradict yourself with what you write afterwords. The tang is 5 years old and that tank is STUFFED with coral growth so there is very little swimming space. Have a look at the article and you'll see what I mean.

ah all you said wasa yellow tang in a 30 gal tank. I am not botherd by that. a 30 gal tank with a large tang yes I wouldn't do it myself, but still I won't lose any sleep over some one else doing it. life is to short to worry about what other people are doing all the time :mrgreen:

Steve