advice on smaller tangs

Cloudburst2000

Active member
My boyfriend and I have decided to set up not one but two new tanks. We are already in the planning stages for a 55g-60g rimless. However, there were some disagreements about fish. I wanted mostly docile fish and he wanted mostly semi-aggressive fish. So lo-and-behold we have decided to set up a second 75g aquarium, dimensions 36"Lx24"Dx20"H. The larger tank will be his tank mainly. We are both really big into deciding on stocking before we set tanks up so that way we add fish in the correct order. The only two definite fish for this aquarium will be a peppermint hogfish and a pink skunk clown. He would also possibly like a trio of acares midget reef chromis. He was also contemplating a smaller tang like a tomini, kole, or bristletooth tang. Would one of these tangs be okay with the other fish already listed? Would 36" of swimming room be enough? The dimensions of this tank are set in stone as we will be getting the tank from my brother-in-law. He owns a reefing business and one of his clients just upgraded their tank size and gave him the 75g which he is giving to us. He said the tang would be fine but I take his advice with a grain of salt. I have seen him keep tangs, triggers, etc in much smaller aquariums. So I thought I would ask RC their honest opinion. And we will not be offended if you say 'no'. We have never had a tank over 30g so we have no experience with fish bigger than your typical clown.
 
There shouldn't be a compatibility issue with the tang and the other fish you've listed.

However, I honestly would say that, IMO, a standard 48" 75 gallon is marginal for either of the two tangs you've mentioned and 36" footprint is really pushing it. It might work out ok, but f it were me, I would skip the tang.
 
Yes, I had thought it would likely be the best bet, but would it do okay with 36" swimming room and the other fish listed above?

Compatibility won't be a issue, bigger is always better when it comes to tank size especially for tangs, if you have good flow you should be fine with the tank length.
 
He has decided against the tang anyhow. He decided he wants a starry blenny more than a tang and saw that they often have aggression issues with them...likely due to them being competitors for the same food. So tangs are off the list, not sure how seriously he was considering one anyhow.
 
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