Tank size for Tangs? An evaluation...

[Troy F]

Another interesting post. Marc (Fudge) and I touched on the subject the other day. He raised the same question about large angels and triggers, etc.. Why don't they receive the same scrutiny? Because we are predominantly reefers, they don't come up as a subject of discussion usually as they aren't really reef friendly. My feelings regarding the aforementioned species is the same as my view on tangs/surgeons.

I disagree with your view on trading the fish in. How many fish do you think Tak is going to accept? This might work for you but it certainly won't be an opportunity for everyone. You should have plans for the fishes entire lifespan when you buy it. That would be conscientious husbandry. When this subject was first brought up, it was because of SFF's Paracanthurus hepatus living in a 33gal tank. At one time there were two in there. He says that they're ~1.5" but the photo (as Canadian points out) clearly shows they are significantly larger. When do you decide when your fish goes to a larger home? What is a larger home? SFF's fish will make it's way to a 60, then what? One of the things hobbyists tend to do is exagerate in what ever direction makes them look better.

I think the point you make about mimics is interesting although, I don't know that it applies in the way you would like. I read what little I have on them and it only states that they mimic because the angel is less palatable. Correct me if I'm wrong but both families are grazers, they would starve if they just bolted to grab a bite here and there. My guess would be, they go from hiding spot to hiding spot while eating. The difference in keeping two different species with similar habits would be the maximum growth attained. A dwarf angel may be quite alright in a 50gal but a surgeon would be cramped.

Since you brought Centropyge spp. up, I have a few thoughts on them as well. I kept a C. potteri in my 72gal. He was ~1.5" and beautifully colored, my favourite fish but I questioned keeping him for two reasons; 1.) he made a clam nervous 2.) he would at times pace the glass frantically. Now, maybe the pacing at the glass was challenging his reflection but it could have been discomfort with being in captivity. The centropyge family are all widely accepted in smaller tanks but I do wonder if this is always the best place for them. My suspician is, that any grazing species of fish will be hit or miss in smaller tanks. Food for thought.

[Doug]

Good point Diomedes on all larger fish. I can only speak for myself. I have always mentioned them in these threads. I believe I even said large fish a couple times in this thread.

Large angels, IMO, are even worse than large tangs, to keep in all but the largest tanks.

As for pygmy angels, they seem to do best in a decent size tank, but only with LOTS, of live rock, to hide & dart in. They also thrive on lots of growth of different algaes.

If you want my opinion, I would say their best tank, would be like a manderins. Good sandbed or even a reverse undergravel filter system. Lots of live rock, with lots of caves,etc. A decent growth of calerpa, in the tank, or even lots of hair algae growth. Perhaps some corals like leathers and the such. No anenomes, lps, sps.

[sumpfinfishe]

So Troy you think I'm hiding the truth about the size of my tangs, ok then, you are more than welcome to come over and see for yourself the size of my tangs. I should let you know however that if you do come by the deal is that you tell all the members the "real size" and health of these fish. I should also mention that image on my reefpage is an older image that was taken with a wide angle lens which tends to throw everything out of true size and shape. As for exagerating, well I'm not on this board to impress anyone, I'm simply here to share my opinions,lend a fin, and to expand my reefing knowledge. It seems to me that there are a few people out here that are
ignorant and big headed as all they have to say about others is in a negitive manner.Also the only fish that goes to my roomates tank is a regal, every other fish in my reef is at least two to three years old and they are perminent residents. When I aquire a new baby regal I do make sure it has another larger home to go to in the future. My single regal now, will end up in another friends reef(180gal) in a year or so depending on it's growth rate, at which time I will aquire another baby ragal tang to take it's place.

[Troy F]

A difference of opinion hardly makes someone ignorant SFF. Ironic choice of words though. Try to avoid the use of insults in your argument lest I assume you're ignorant ;) .

[Doug]

Why would we want to close this thread? It was started by Diomedes, on tangs in general and not on anybodys specific tank, although we know thats what started it. It has been an interesting thread, with some very good info for learning aquarists.
I agree it needs to stay on topic and not on arguments about a specific tank. OR, it may be closed. ;)

[robert]

I agree it needs to stay on topic and not on arguments about a specific tank. OR, it may be closed. ;)

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Doug, precisely. You got my point. ;)

[Skimmerking]

I second the motion ,even if i can't read!!!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[naesco]

I think I can answer some of the questions asked here.
The reasons why tangs are the subject of so much concern relative to their care are twofold
1. Tangs are beautiful endearing fish. Take a look at an angel for example. They may be brightly coloured but who could fall in love with them? OK I may just be a tiny bit biased.
2. Most of my fish is dying, my fish has ich, my fish is sick or they are killing each other threadsinvolve tangs when you think about it right.
IME most of the problem, provided you buy a healthy specimin is environmental ie. stress caused by other tankmates in a small tank or so so water conditions.

I think a lot of the controversy on the tang issue would be avoided if the original posters who are experienced tang keepers prefaced their comments with a caveat such as "The powder blue tang is an almost impossible to keep species but I have had success by feeding...........whatever.
No one would consider talking about mandarins without prefacing their remarks with the necessity of an established tank with high pod populations would they?

[mikeb]

this is my first reply to any subject posted on any sight .I agree to a point with both sides of the debate. One tangs are going to need to go to a larger tank in the future ,but once again it doesn't mean that a person with a larger tank knows what they are doing nor has a better setup than a guy with a 33 gallon tank .Alot of larger tank owners have huge egos when itcomes to the size of anything. I should know I've been in the industry for half my life and this is what i do for a living. Most of us forget about proper diet and healthy water conditions let alone tank size or really knowing about hands on experiance.I've been impressed overall with all the the replies over the last couple of years and there is some amazing tanks there. One final thought if we wanted to get right down to it alot of the livestock we keep together shouldn't be: we forget conditions differ around the world and were not all keeping species in are tanks from one area are we. Thanks for all support for animal house over the last couple years .

[stephane]

Originally posted by stephane:
I bet this tread will finish in a kids war ;)

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Did I win someting yet!!!!!!!!!!! :D [img]tongue.gif[/img] :eek: [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 23 September 2002, 20:21: Message edited by: stephane ]