120 and tangs ... tang police help

[reefnewbie54321]

I have a 120 2 x 4 feet ... very minimal live rock will be added and no branchy sps just zoo's shrooms star polyps and some xenia. I was originally going to be a FOWLR but I wanted to add a few easy corals for color.

Anyway heres my stocklist,

Blue Hippo/Regal Tang

Yellow Tang

Nemo Clown (cant spell real name lol)

Some chromis

I would like to add the following but I know its kind of pushing it so bear with me,

(In order of most wanted)

- 2 more yellow tangs
- Mandarin
- 4 Anthias
- Mate for clown

I know I could pull of a Yellow Tang, Regal Tang, 2 Clowns, A mandarin and some Chromis but I would drop some of the smaller fish If you think I could fit the 2 other yellow tangs.

Also my uncle has a 350 gallon FO tank so if outgrowing is not really an issue. But how long before the tangs would outgrow the tank ... I don't want to be throwing fish in my uncles tank all the time.

 

[Jerry W]

IMO, horizontal swimming space is paramount when considering any surgeonfish. A 4 foot tank is a four foot tank is a..... you get the idea. My 120 is a 60 inch tank and I won't keep a tang in it, simply because I think they need more room due to their activity levels. I could surely keep a small one for awhile, but as you pointed out, it gets old trading fish in that have outgrown your tank. I personally wouldn't even attempt a regal given the size potential. I also would not go for three yellows. IMO, select a single surgeon fish and build around that. One yellow, or maybe a scopas or even a kole (very pretty fish).
Probably not what you wanted to hear. It's an age old debate that boils down to your ideas of good husbandry.
Good luck.

 

[stykthyn]

I agree avoid the regal, I would opt for a yellow or purple tang. or if you really want blue an atlantic blue will work better than a regal.

 

[gary faulkner]

Blue Hippo/Regal Tang, I see that it is at the top of your list.

I saw go for it , hang the tang police : )

 

[reefnewbie54321]

I see more 4 foot tanks w/ regal tangs than 4 foot tanks w/ out them to be honest. There one of the most popular fish around ... What do you think the growth rate of these are? I can buy one at 2 1/2", I wouldnt feel comfortable having it once it grew 6-8". If its going to ahieve that size in a year or less then maybe its not for me.

 

[VSpeck]

blues do ok in four foot when they are young but will quickly outgrow it. i wouldnt do more yellows in that tank they will always be on edge with each other. i say a blue and yellow would do good, but i like having three or more tangs to keep them not just going at each other so i would try a small sailfin mixed in maybe too but some people say i have too many tangs

 

[reefnewbie54321]

How fast does a hippo grow? I can buy them as small as 1/2" but I would like to start with atleast a 1 1/2" one. I cant imigane it growing to 8" in a year??? But I could be wrong I dont know the grwoth rates of tangs.

 

[VSpeck]

they wont grow that quick mine is like 6 or 7" and he is like 3yrs old or maybe 4

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7401222#post7401222 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jerry W
IMO, horizontal swimming space is paramount when considering any surgeonfish. A 4 foot tank is a four foot tank is a..... you get the idea. My 120 is a 60 inch tank and I won't keep a tang in it, simply because I think they need more room due to their activity levels. I could surely keep a small one for awhile, but as you pointed out, it gets old trading fish in that have outgrown your tank. I personally wouldn't even attempt a regal given the size potential. I also would not go for three yellows. IMO, select a single surgeon fish and build around that. One yellow, or maybe a scopas or even a kole (very pretty fish).
Probably not what you wanted to hear. It's an age old debate that boils down to your ideas of good husbandry.
Good luck.

I agree 100%

 

[thor32766]

yeah koles are a very overlooked fish. They are beautiful to look at and have GREAT personalites and seem to do better in smaller tanks then most tangs. just food for thought