hippo tang

[canadawest]

Originally Posted by naesco

What you need to know is that both the naso and the regal (hippo) tangs require tanks that are a minimum six (6) feet long which is 135 gallons.
This is the minimum requirements as per Scott Michael who is the guru or fish and their requirements.

The reason for the large tanks is that tangs, in addition to growing large, require the swimming room that longer tanks provide.

You already have one tang in a 90.
Please do not add another.
Thank you

Not to fuel a "Tang Police" discussion, but here are my experiences/opinions:

While I agree that Tangs are active swimmers and require plenty of room to move about, I tend to disagree with hard fixed numbers like "6' long" and "135 gallons".

I have had my Blue (Regal) Tang for over two years now in my 100gal 5' long tank. He's also accompanied by a Yellow Tang which I've had for just over a year. Both were about 2" in length when brought home (small) and now the Blue is approximately 5-6" long and the Yellow is 3-4" long. Both seem very happy and are certainly healthy as they both have voracious appetites, plump bodies, vibrant coloration and are very active.

Would I like to have a larger tank for them to swim around in, certainly. Do I think that a larger tank is "necessary" in order to keep them healthy? Certainly not.

I think this relaxed rule applies to only Blue and Yellow tangs as they are generally hardier and relatively accomodating fish. I wouldn't keep a large (6"+) Tang in anything smaller than a 5' long tank, and I wouldn't keep more than one in anything less than a 100gal tank, unless they were small (<4").

But in regards to C-Hawks orginal question, I would recommend against adding another Tang of any sort as your Naso will quickly grow even too large for your 90gal, and another Tang in there would just be way to crowded. Perhaps wait until your Naso outgrows your 90gal, and consider trading him for a Regal or Yellow Tang then?