14" Unicorn tang question

[whedbee]

Hey guys,

This is my first time joining an online fish forum and I look forward to the experience. I had a question though...

I currently have a 240 gallon tank that I just upgraded to. I have been a long time patron of a local fish store that has offered me this huge unicorn tang someone dumped off at the store in a 5 gallon bucket.

My question to you fellow reefers - Is a 14" fish to big for a 240 gallon?

Pics attached*

I look forward to open and healthy debate, I have not yet made up my mind and value all input.

Thanks!!!!



Current tank



"Charlie" the 14" Unicorn tang

 

[velvetelvis]

Sorry to say, but...yeah, Charlie is way too big for your tank--and he's still got a lot of growing to do. Unicorn tangs can get up to 2' long. Charlie is too big for anything but a public aquarium, IMO. Do him a favor and don't encourage your LFS to get more of these fish by buying him. And good on you for asking for advice first, instead of just yielding to temptation (I know how hard that is!).

 

[whedbee]

Sounds good, I really appreciate the input.

Apparently the tank that he grew up in was a 125gallon, that must have been really cramped. Thats why I was curious about putting him in a 240.

Hopefully he finds his way over to the Tampa aquarium, sounds like that'd be best

 

[jjk_reef00]

If you do decide to get the fish you should make a peninsula style aqua scape to help him turn around.
I would not buy it for anything more than the store cost, and IMO they should give it to you for free. Unfortunately this fish will probably stress and die in the small tank the LFS holds him in.

 

[whedbee]

The store received it for free. The price they are asking is on the extremely low end.
(I assume to just cover cost of food/shelter)

 

[velvetelvis]

You make a good point, Ed...at least if whedbee takes him, he'll be out of a bad situation. Obviously turned in by somebody who didn't know what they were getting into. Poor guy sounds like he needs a home, fast. Maybe you could ask the Tampa aquarium?

 

[whedbee]

Thats what I was thinking.

He was in a 125, he was dropped off literally in a 5 gallon bucket at the shop. I was curious if this was a lost cause putting him in a 240.

Eventually the plan is to get a 500-600 gallon ish cube. (Probably about a year or two out?) But isn't everyones plan to upgrade soon haha?

 

[RealReef7]

I would say do it... if you are sure you are upgrading. you can always buy it and when it gets to big for your big cube you can donate it to a public zoo or aquarium.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Most public aquariums will not accept donated fish from aquarists for a number of reasons. So I wouldn't count on that being your "out".

 

[lhm nole]

I would take it just to get it out of a 55 . And public aquariums are very finicky on taking in fish

 

[whedbee]

Alright so If I do decide to adopt him, how long you think I could house him in the 240 for?

 

[IFbettas]

Alright so If I do decide to adopt him, how long you think I could house him in the 240 for?

Only until you can find a bigger home for it.

What are the dimensions of your tank? A 125 is 6 feet long, and if your 240 is also 6 feet long, then it is basically no different than the tank it was previously in. A tang of that size will need atleast a 10 foot long tank, IMO.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Only until you can find a bigger home for it.

What are the dimensions of your tank? A 125 is 6 feet long, and if your 240 is also 6 feet long, then it is basically no different than the tank it was previously in. A tang of that size will need atleast a 10 foot long tank, IMO.

A standard 240 is 96x24x24"

 

[whedbee]

I got the tank used and was told it was 240, never actually checked =/

72 x 24 x 32 If my math is correct Its like 239~ ish ?

*******************************************************

If I decided to get this guy you would recommend a longer tank as opposed to a squarish tank?

My thought was get him, upgrade the tank to a large cube and sculpt the tank around like a central island. So everyone could just swim around in circles instead of pacing back and forth the length of the tank.

 

[jjk_reef00]

For large tangs, angels, rays it is always better to have length. Then have a peninsula style aqua scape or as you say 'central island', that way the fish can swim on both sides of the island and can use the full width of the tank to turn around.

I agree with IFbettas, since your tank is only 6' the fish is going to be cramped, especially since it is only 24" wide. With that said you maybe able to keep the fish alive for a while if you aquascape right.

If you are planning on a 500-600 gallon I would recommend 8-10' long and 30-48" wide, then fill how tall the tank is from there. Length is the most important factor, then width, and a far third is height.

Cubes are better for small fish that don't get big. I agree with IFbettas that that fish should be in a 10' or larger.
Take a look at this FOWLR tank that is 11' and see how easy his tangs swim across the full length of the tank:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1793033

Here is a bad pic of my 8' tank. The queen angel is 11" and the Naso tang is about 8" and they use all 8' of both sides of my peninsula.

 

[jmccown]

That unicorn is not 14" by looking at the pic. I look at it this way. Your tank is far better than the home it could potentially go to. It probably came from a 55g or something as small. I see too many fish in much smaller tanks than the hobbyists here on RC will discuss. Yes, that fish will need a bigger tank later on but if you intend on getting it I think it will be going to a better home. Something has been ravaging it's tail. But it looks more like 9-10" range to me.

 

[TheLivingReefFL]

If I decided to get this guy you would recommend a longer tank as opposed to a squarish tank?

For most fish longer is better. I have 2 60 gallon frag tanks that are 5 feet long and only about 10 inches deep. I have found that fish live this long shallow tank over the larger cubical. It gives them a chance to really move around a little.

 

[Untamed12]

Only until you can find a bigger home for it.

What are the dimensions of your tank? A 125 is 6 feet long, and if your 240 is also 6 feet long, then it is basically no different than the tank it was previously in. A tang of that size will need atleast a 10 foot long tank, IMO.

All this conversation about tank length seem so "old school" to me. It is all based on tanks that had no depth and traditional rockwork that piles rock along the back wall. Yes, length is important when that is the only direction the fish can swim! I agree. However, now we have tanks that are 4 or 5 feet deep with four sided viewing...it changes the rules.

I say you should take him. You'll know when he's outgrown your system. At that time, you can try to find him a better home and you'll probably do a better job of that than the previous owner did.

 

[IFbettas]

All this conversation about tank length seem so "old school" to me. It is all based on tanks that had no depth and traditional rockwork that piles rock along the back wall. Yes, length is important when that is the only direction the fish can swim! I agree. However, now we have tanks that are 4 or 5 feet deep with four sided viewing...it changes the rules.

I agree that in a peninsula tank, with swimming space on all sides of the rockwork, length is not as big of an issue. However, whedbee's 240, is NOT one of those tanks. With only 24" of width to work with, and the large internal overflow boxes, it would not be an easy tank to set up with enough swimming room for a fish of this size, IMHO.

I think that whedbee should get the fish, but only with the understanding that it will need a bigger tank as soon as he can provide it with one.

 

[auem]

i too feel you should take the fish for now ...i don't know how public aquariums work around states,but won't they help you at least to find a suitable place for that tang if you approach?