Ethical kole tang dilemma

[Myka]

Hey Doug! I am happy to hear he is not in the 34g tank anymore. They really do need more space, although I totally understand the attachment you have for him. I had a 1 1/4" Kole in a 33g tank for a few months, and he acted the same way when I moved him to my 90. I don't think he was stressed at all, but he was significantly smaller than yours. Have you thought of getting a larger cube tank? What do you hate about the 50? Albeit I think the 50 is also too small.

[gobytron]

wow.

what a significantly different thread than some others I have seen regarding tangs in "too small" tanks.

I can't wait to quote and reference this thread later on.

great read.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by gobytron

wow.

what a significantly different thread than some others I have seen regarding tangs in "too small" tanks.

Doug is also a moderator...he wears a permanent flame retardant suit.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Myka

Doug is also a moderator...he wears a permanent flame retardant suit.

Oh I'm supposed to treat Tony and Ryan a little better too you're saying? Shoot I didn't know that

So this seems like a nice place to ask (if Doug will allow it).

My tank is 36x24x26 (97g) and I want a Kole. What are your thoughts since you've all got Kole on the brain?

[gobytron]

lol...
I have a biocube 14 that I'm thinking tang for...

Now if I can just find out where I can order a small enough police cap for him to wear It'll be go time.

[naesco]

Your tank is too small for tangs.
Tangs are swimmers and require the larger 6'+ tanks that provide the room they need.
An exception is a kole tang however even a 30 is too small for it but I could not post that because Doug is a mod. BTW Doug when did you get the police light?

Brett your tank is large enough for a kole though and thanks for asking before you buy.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Myka

Hey Doug! I am happy to hear he is not in the 34g tank anymore. They really do need more space, although I totally understand the attachment you have for him. I had a 1 1/4" Kole in a 33g tank for a few months, and he acted the same way when I moved him to my 90. I don't think he was stressed at all, but he was significantly smaller than yours. Have you thought of getting a larger cube tank? What do you hate about the 50? Albeit I think the 50 is also too small.

The 50 just does not work in my little fishroom/office. Samr reason i cant have a larger cube. Besides my 6ft. 225g at my other house I did have a 180g cube. Best tank I ever owned.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Myka

Doug is also a moderator...he wears a permanent flame retardant suit.

Thanks Mindy.

Originally Posted by lastlight

Oh I'm supposed to treat Tony and Ryan a little better too you're saying? Shoot I didn't know that

So this seems like a nice place to ask (if Doug will allow it).

My tank is 36x24x26 (97g) and I want a Kole. What are your thoughts since you've all got Kole on the brain?

IMO, that size tank is fine for one of the smaller tangs. I still go with the longer length the better theory but cant see why a kole for instance, who grows up in a 100g tank of that particular size would not be happy, esp. with a good home.

Plus see my reply to Wayne below.

Originally Posted by naesco

Your tank is too small for tangs.
Tangs are swimmers and require the larger 6'+ tanks that provide the room they need.
An exception is a kole tang however even a 30 is too small for it but I could not post that because Doug is a mod. BTW Doug when did you get the police light?

Brett your tank is large enough for a kole though and thanks for asking before you buy.

Of course my tank is to small Wayne. I know that. Its why I posted here to discuss it.

All to often we are to quick to say the 6ft. requirement quote or something similar without taking into consideration the aquarist and/or the needs of the fish. {besides the swimming length}

The thread was posted exactly because of that situation. We have had this guy for over 8 years. What would you or others suggest we do with it. There is nobody here to give it a good home. Perhaps drop it off at the local store and it ends up who knows where or dead.

Would some of you like to know how many sad tang and large fish stories I can tell you from aquarists who have large tanks but not a clue on how to keep them. And thats a long list from my 35yrs. of keeping saltwater fish.

I may have my troubles with sps corals, but can assure you, not with fish. This was the best option for this particular fish at this particular time and in this particular situation.

At least thats was my opinion on it and seems many others. Mike has alleviated that, by putting him back in his 150g and I hope he will be fine or we are back to the same problem

So all tang/tank problems are not cut and dry.

And whats with me being on staff got to do with anything, although the respect is appreciated. If I posting something you or others dont agree with have at it. Thats why I posted it. As someone said, its a great read and good discussion.

[Doug]

Oh and the little police light in in the smilie list. I just added it to my signature.

[intarsiabox]

I agree that sometimes a pet owner has to do what they think is best for the animal regardless of "accepted practices". I think I made a bad decision over 3 years ago and still regret it. I raised a maroon clown for 2 1/2 years until he started becoming violent towards my other fish. I didn't know about canreef at the time and didn't know any fellow reefers so I took him to a pet store to be rehomed. There is a lot of beginners who know nothing about maroons and their behaviors and I am afraid it went to one of these people and ended up down the toilet. In retrospect I only had room for a small tank but wish I had set one up just for him even though a larger tank than I could set for him is recommended. I worry that the fate of a smaller tank is better than what may have happened to him. I realize that tangs and clowns have different swimming needs but that's my story.