[Troy F]

Good post Diomedes. Your math equations have taken the tang/surgeon fish debate to a new level. You are not going to convince me that any surgeon fish belongs in a tank of that size. I know a few other people you'll never convince as well.

You're post makes some really insightful points that I hope most hobbiests have already considered and accepted. Our tanks aren't a natural system, no matter how hard we try. Most species don't reproduce in our aquariums and alot of them probably have seasonal urges. When you consider that reproduction is the second most important drive (after eating) in nature, it makes life look pretty stressful for our tank inhabitants. But, like you said; we don't understand much about that. If we keep fish in an aquarium we are removing them from the many activities they'd be doing naturally. We do know certain things about a lot of the species. One of these is size and swimming behaviours. Since we have control over this key issue, why not do our utmost to provide the best environment possible? For tangs and surgeons, doesn't this mean a reasonably large tank at the minimum, and a huge one if you can? You used Dr. Shimek's name so I'll point out that he won't add any fish that isn't locked to a small piece of territory in the wild. This eliminates all surgeons and tangs from the equation, in his view.

Back to the numbers, what about when (if) these fish grow? Does the equation still work out when you put those fish into the 60gal aquarium? Is everyone that buys a fish, that will eventually be to large for their system, going to be able to find a home for it that'll be suitable? Sumpinfishe hasn't actually. Two large hepatus surgeons in a 60 doesn't quite cut it for my ethics. I don't know anyone that would want a 8" hepatus tang to add to their system, so unless I can provide a home for one for its entire life, I won't buy one. That is my belief.

As for Scott Michael; I express no regrets about his recommendations. If people were to live by them, we'd have a more ethical hobby. Personally, I'd give a bit more room for large swimmers than he recommends in certain places but I'll defer to his experience, education and "pretty picture" taking skills on the subject. If I'm not mistaken, he is working towards a PhD in ichthyology. When you take his education and experience into consideration, I think they add up to more than a degree in biology and a good eye for pictures.

A wild cat in captivity would do very little differently than a domesticated cat but if you didn't feed it, look out. Wolves vs. dogs would have been a better analogy don't you think?