Tang in a 75?

[Doug]

Sorry to confuse things but I disagree with the Kole. I have one in my 170 and it loves swimming. Much more so than my yellow. If one must put a tang in a 75, then I would lean more to the yellow, purple tangs or the best, IMO< for a smaller tank, would be a Scopas tang. I also think the Scopas is a great looking tang.

Also FWIW, I would never put a Regal in a 75. At least not in adult size. They just get to large and love to swim.

[Doug]

I would like to bring another point of view into this thread. One that I have thought about over the years and one that now, like Brad, effects myself and my tangs.

I,m also down sizing to a standard 4ft. 75g tank. I was planning on keeping my 5 pyjama cardinals, mandarin and 3 percs only. I have a young juvie yellow tang and my 2yr. old Kole, both of which I was going to find homes for.

Over the last 15yrs. or so, I have sold or traded away several very healthy tangs and a few other fish, because of moving, tank changes or what I thought may be better for them.

However many times they met their demise for what ever reasons. Thus did I do what was best for them? I have always given my fish extremely good care, perhaps to the extent of spoiling them. But thats how I care for my pets, all of them. So would a tang living in a smaller tank or in my case and Brads, two smaller tangs living in a 75, {with good care}, be worse of that being given away. Esp. when I have always believed in providing much more room for them and "preached" such.

For myself, if I was to keep them, I would have to give away my cardinals, which I was planning on trying to raise some young, as the 5 of them just adds to much bio-load with larger bodied fish like tangs.

Anywho, as I sit here and ponder this, I figured it would add another point into the never ending tank/tang size discussions.

[AJ_77]

I have to agree with you Doug - and was just lamenting that fact to someone here the other day, that fish don't seem to last when I sell them off. I hear afterwards how they met their untimely demise... I hope that isn't a trend. Is it just that no one else is going to take the same care that you did? Or is moving just that stressful?

That being said, I'm shopping for a Convict Tang for my son's 75.

[Doug]

None of mine were lost during or because of transit. I always tried to make sure their move was as comfortable as possible. I do agree that the stress on them from moving can cause problems.

It usually ended up being other reasons, even a fair bit after they were established. And it was not all of them, as I do know of one or two that are still fine and healthy.

[Troy F]

Well I haven't posted in an awful long time but this subject has always interested me. I was always one to say surgeons and tangs probably belonged in the larger tanks or in the ocean. I recently snorkled in a marine sanctuary in Hawaii and was blown away by how much area they covered (including yellows and koles/yellow-eyed). None of the species moved all that quick unless there was a need to (such as me trying to get close enough for a snap shot). Some, like the Naso lituratus, moved out of my way almost grudgingly and I was careful not to let the current push me to close because I'll tell you, those tail scalpels on a 20" fish are awfully big!

Here's my take as far as aquariums are concerned; you can't hope to provide a home anything close to their natural environment but that goes for all of the species you keep really so why stop at the tangs and surgeons? If you like them, try to pick one that won't completely outgrow your tank. My experience was that my yellow got really agitated in my 75gal but who knows, he could have been ****ed about the water parameters.

[Delphinus]

Troy!! Nice to hear from you!!

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Troy!! Nice to hear from you!!

Troy who?? Oh, him!! The guy who hasn't posted in a year or so!!

Got a new tank in the works yet??

[BCOrchidGuy]

I had a nice Sailfin in a standard 90 and I never saw any signs of the tank being to small for it. I wouldn't put a school of tangs in a 4 foot but I'd keep another sailfin. My current tank (setting up) is a 54 gallon corner and I know I won't be putting a tang in there I'm aiming at a pair of saddlebacks, maybe a goby/pistol shrimp and something else small. The rest of the tank inhabitants will be snails, shrimp and corals.

Doug

[StirCrazy]

I used to have a sail fin and my yellow, but I decided one of them has to go. Because the sailfin is a larger tang (and I don't think they should be in anything under 155 gal) I got rid of that one. It was quickly out growing the yellow tang even at that point.

Steve

[Doug]

I agree with Steve, that Sailfins get awful large for smaller tanks. I had one in my 70 in Thompson many years ago. It was sold to a 320g tank outside Winnipeg. The Sailfin I once had here in my 180 was given to Jayson when I last changed tanks and rules his 300 plus gals. despite the presence of other tangs.

And if I may add, I am still not a fan of purchasing any but the smallest of tangs to put in a 75g sized tank, if any at all. I once did that but seen how they outgrew their homes.

Perhaps I had just better keep my 170, so they have a good home.

Hi Troy Nice to hear from you again. Same question as Brad. New tank in the works yet?