Tangs in a 90?

[AJ_77]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

Rather than trying to stop someone from keeping a tang in a 90 (they're going to get one), let's help the reefer learn HOW to keep the tang in the 90. Provide lots of flow, a varied diet, lots of swimming room (and hiding room) and no competition for food.

THAT'S why he gets the big Moderator pay! Well put. Berating people or debating our point of view for pages and pages likely doesn't convert anyone who is this close to getting a Tang anyways. Education, esp regarding suitable species, is the best bet.

IMO.

[danny zubot]

I just thought this was funny.

i agree 100% cutting off the tail would be cruel
removel of the head is a far better option

Since both ends a clearly needed, wouldn't it make more sense to cut a bit right out of the middle?

[trilinearmipmap]

I have a 4" Yellow Tang and a 3" Hippo tang in a 120 gallon tank.

They are healthy. I have noted that the Hippo Tang can swim from one end of the tank to the other in about 0.1 seconds. When they get bigger in a year or two they will probably be crowded.

On the other hand I believe these fishes' survival in my tank will be better than it would be in the wild.

In the wild these fish will be subject to predation. In addition, they will have to compete with other tangs for territory in order to feed. The weaker Tangs in the wild will die because they are not strong enough to compete for territory or food. That is why, with a population of Tangs that is not increasing or decreasing, out of hundreds or thousands of babies (larvae, fry or whatever) spawned, only two will survive to breeding age. This just simple math, if more than two fish survived to adulthood from each pairing, the population would increase.

In other words, the population of Tangs in the wild will expand until it is limited by predation or lack of food supply, and the overwhelming majority of Tangs will die before they reach breeding age.

My tank is not a perfect home for two tangs but it is probably a more comfortable and healthy environment for them than the cruel ocean.

[fentochris]

alright..there seams to be alot of opinions about tangs and what size they should be kept in. I have a yellow tang in a 75gal right now, I know someone who has one in a 65gal and I also had one in a 20gal tall. They all seem to be doing just fine...I dont know if i would chance a different tang species..as regals do get a bit bigger

[Johnny Reefer]

Dare I start this thread again. After all, I am a newbie. What I want to say is off the topic of Tangs, but, here goes anyway…

Originally Posted by Rikko

We're all enslaving marine life in the name of our own amusement. We aren't helping anything (or are we "learning"?

I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with some of the above statement.
I do not think that we ALL are enslaving marine life JUST for our own amusement. I, for one, have learned SOOOOO MUCH in just the short 7 months, since I began reading on the subject of keeping marine aquariums and setting up my reef tank, that it’s hard to keep up with the wealth of knowledge and remember it all. (44 years old. For those younger folks who may not understand…the older you get, the harder it is to learn and retain information).

I also like to think that we (reef aquarists) ARE helping. The more reef aquarists there are, (within reason), the more knowledgable and aware we (humankind) are with regards to coral reef habitation. I think we make a positive impact both directly and indirectly, and in numerous ways, in both aspects. I am no marine biologist, by any means, and I don’t expect that I, personally, will ever have a direct impact on the enhancement of wild coral reefs. But I like to think that I have a positive indirect impact just by being a part of the reefkeeping hobby and providing a market and incentive for captive breeding and propagation farms to flourish. Not only will these farms help to reduce wild specimen collecting, but I’m sure the research conducted to understand how to breed and propagate in captivity will help humankind to understand wild coral reef habitats. Without thousands upon thousands (dare I say millions) of reef aquarists, in the world, who basically drive the reef aquarium industry, I very much doubt that any of these aquaculture/farms would be in existence. After all, money makes the world go around and this industry is just getting started. One might argue that if there were less aquarists then there would be less wild specimen collecting. well I suppose so, in the short term. But specimen collecting is not the only negative aspect affecting coral reefs, IMHO. Trans ocean shipping, pollution, climate change, eco tourism, human population encroachment, commercial overfishing, (have I missed anything), all impact the reefs as well. Understanding of the reefs and what affects them in the how and why is what is going to save them, IMO, and that starts with education. Heck, the marine biologist who discovers a solution to rejuvenating the dying elkhorn Acropora in the Caribbean, thus having a direct impact, may very well be some kid growing up right now in a household that has a reef aquarium and this is what drives he/she to become a marine biologist in the first place. Ya, I know, get out the violins, but think about it. (Actually, I’m sure there are already marine biologists working very hard, right now, on that issue. And I wouldn’t be surprised that most, if not all, grew up in a household with some sort of aquarium).

To summarize, IMO…no, it’s not just for amusement,
…yes, I think I am helping, and,
…yes, I, for one, am learning.

Cheers and a
.

[Ken]

Mark, well said. Thanks! Regards Ken

[StirCrazy]

I used to think we were learning also, but does it really matter? what are we doing with that knowledge? are we helping in research that is going to benefit the fish or even other fields of study?

If the answer is no then we are learning for our own curiosity which is a different way to describe having a tank for our enjoyment.

Steve

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

I used to think we were learning also, but does it really matter? what are we doing with that knowledge? are we helping in research that is going to benefit the fish or even other fields of study?

If the answer is no then we are learning for our own curiosity which is a different way to describe having a tank for our enjoyment.
Steve

I think your focus is on what we can do with our knowledge as aquarists directly. As I said, I'm no marine biologist, and I probably won't make an impact with my knowledge, in the grand scheme of things, directly. But, I feel I have a positive impact indirectly for reasons described in my previous post. So ya, I think we are helping fuel research.

As well, I think reef aquariums in our homes fuels some children's drive to make marine biology their career of choice. Again, an indirect benefit to wild coral reefs, through home reefkeeping. It's all related.

[Troy F]

Mark, that argument has been used before. It never hurts to be educated but the truth is; collection for the hobby hurts reefs. If you have any doubts there is oodles of information on the impact of ornamental fish collection in the Hawaiian Islands.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Troy F

It never hurts to be educated but the truth is; collection for the hobby hurts reefs.

I never said it doesn't hurt reefs, but I think it's a necessary evil, (provided regulations are followed), until such time that education and research have created an industry that relies primarily on captive breeding and propagation. I believe that education is due, in part, to home reefkeeping. I also believe that that education can and will be beneficial toward restoring coral reefs. Ignorance is not going to reverse the trend that face coral reefs today. Again, my (limited) knowledge probably won't matter. I'm a small cog in a huge wheel. But, if a future marine biologist gets his/her start from keeping a home reef tank then all the power to them. Admittedly, maybe this is all wishful thinking, on my part, but at least it is positive thinking and until such time that anyone can prove to me that my involvement in the hobby of reefkeeping is contributing to the total extinction of coral reefs, I will stand by what I say, and continue to support the hobby.

Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not in this JUST to support a platform of education for others, who might become marine biologists. I will be the first to admit that I definitely gain amusment from the hobby also, but...
I don't think we ALL are in it JUST for amusement