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

[shrimpchips]

While I don't approve of people who keep large tangs in tiny tanks, I also don't usually agree with the self-proclaimed-holier-than-thou tang police folks.

And REALLY folks? Did anyone actually look through the article? That tank is a 36 x 18 x 18, and that Yellow tang has got to be no more than 4" snout to tail. It's definitely not an adult tang in a typical 30g tank. Look at the pictures - it definitely has swimming room.

Also, not to rain on your parades, but you'd think a guy with 22+ years of aquarium experience wouldn't willy nilly stick a tang in a tiny tank. He seems good at keeping fish too - a 16 year old clown and a 4 year old mandarin. Maybe, just maybe, he knows what he's doing?

FWIW, Nano-reef also featured a tank with a yellow tang sometime last year I think.

[whatcaneyedo]

At what age do yellow tangs reach adulthood? This one must be at least 6 years old... I've only had a tang myself for the last 4 years so maybe someone else can answer that.

I did read the whole article and the thread that follows. Later he does admit that he will pass the tang along if it should show signs of decline or when his coral grows in a bit more and restricts too much of its swimming room. The pictures don't show much swimming room to me. But thats just my opinion.

I've known people in this hobby who claim to have more experience than that to do far more ridiculous things. Also, in his article he states that he still considers himself an amateur (like the rest of us).

What kind of message do you think these articles by Ultimate Reef and Nano Reef send to people getting into the hobby? That is where I see the problem. People who are being honored and those who have been doing this for decades should be setting a better example.

[zum14]

[reefwars]

i agree with whatcaneyedo its one thing for someone to keep fish in an undersized tank its another when their honored for it

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

While I don't approve of people who keep large tangs in tiny tanks, I also don't usually agree with the self-proclaimed-holier-than-thou tang police folks.

And REALLY folks? Did anyone actually look through the article? That tank is a 36 x 18 x 18, and that Yellow tang has got to be no more than 4" snout to tail. It's definitely not an adult tang in a typical 30g tank. Look at the pictures - it definitely has swimming room.

Also, not to rain on your parades, but you'd think a guy with 22+ years of aquarium experience wouldn't willy nilly stick a tang in a tiny tank. He seems good at keeping fish too - a 16 year old clown and a 4 year old mandarin. Maybe, just maybe, he knows what he's doing?

FWIW, Nano-reef also featured a tank with a yellow tang sometime last year I think.

well put.

This tank looks exceedingly healthy and the guy mentions the tang is 5 years old and shares the space with very few other inhabitants.

I think this is probably a well looked after fish and that you can (and should)really do whatever you want to in your own aquarium without worrying about other people getting emotionally involved.

Without knowing the aquarist and being familliar with their aquatic methodgy judging in this way is a slippery slope for any aquarist to be on.

In reality, what we all do is pretty selfish and any way you look at it, we are taking organisms out of their preferred natural environment and putting them into one of our own construction for our own pleasure....

It doesnt matter how incredible your tank is, it's still just a 30 gallon compared to the ocean so to single out any one individual for an action that we are all guilty of but is preceived to be worse for some reason is hypocritical.

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by naesco

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.

Originally Posted by naesco

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)

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

At what age do yellow tangs reach adulthood? This one must be at least 6 years old... I've only had a tang myself for the last 4 years so maybe someone else can answer that.

I did read the whole article and the thread that follows. Later he does admit that he will pass the tang along if it should show signs of decline or when his coral grows in a bit more and restricts too much of its swimming room. The pictures don't show much swimming room to me. But thats just my opinion.

I've known people in this hobby who claim to have more experience than that to do far more ridiculous things. Also, in his article he states that he still considers himself an amateur (like the rest of us).

What kind of message do you think these articles by Ultimate Reef and Nano Reef send to people getting into the hobby? That is where I see the problem. People who are being honored and those who have been doing this for decades should be setting a better example.

Well said naesco and whatcaneyedo I couldn't agree more with both of you.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by shrimpchips

While I don't approve of people who keep large tangs in tiny tanks, I also don't usually agree with the self-proclaimed-holier-than-thou tang police folks.

And REALLY folks? Did anyone actually look through the article? That tank is a 36 x 18 x 18, and that Yellow tang has got to be no more than 4" snout to tail. It's definitely not an adult tang in a typical 30g tank. Look at the pictures - it definitely has swimming room.

Also, not to rain on your parades, but you'd think a guy with 22+ years of aquarium experience wouldn't willy nilly stick a tang in a tiny tank. He seems good at keeping fish too - a 16 year old clown and a 4 year old mandarin. Maybe, just maybe, he knows what he's doing?

+1 and FWIW my calculations make that tank out to be 50 gallons not 30. At 5 years old I can't imagine that fish growing much more than it already has. Not to defend the guy but...maybe he does know what he's doing *gasp*

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by christyf5

+1 and FWIW my calculations make that tank out to be 50 gallons not 30. At 5 years old I can't imagine that fish growing much more than it already has. Not to defend the guy but...maybe he does know what he's doing *gasp*

that can't be Christy, after all he has a tank in a tank smaller than 300 gal.. there is no way he could have a clue.

Steve

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

that can't be Christy, after all he has a tank in a tank smaller than 300 gal.. there is no way he could have a clue.

Steve

well you're here and you don't even have a tank, what does that say about you then?

[RuGlu6]

If we would REALLY CARE about fish we would NEVER keep it in the glass box period. As long as we buy fish it will be offered for sale. And eventually fish will die for one reason or the other.
Nothing what we can provide will compare to the ocean.
JMTCW