Blue Tang.. How much room does it need?

[thaireef]

I really love this fish and would love to keep 1-2 smaller ones in my upcoming tank.

However, I am now confused from reading about it on the internet. Some places it says that my tank size for Blue Tang i okay, some place it says 180g and other places it says 240g minimum tank.

My tank size is L: 200cm x W: 50cm x H: 60cm. (600 Litres/158 Gallons) with a 200 Litres/53 Gallons Sump.

Does it help that my tank is pretty long? and is it big enough to keep Blue Tang? If you have Blue Tang, please can you tell me how big your tank is and how your fish is doing with your tank size?

Thanks and have a great day out there

 

[ezerasurfr]

most people will say a 6ft tank is the minimum for these fish. Keeping them as a juvenile, that should work. But once they grow (which happens fast from my experience) they would do better with something that has larger dimensions.

 

[CStrickland]

A blue hippo tang or a powder blue tang?
Tank sizes can be confusing because most of the recomendations out there are from people selling them, so they have an incentive to go smaller to sell more. This forum has rec's by aquarists and divers http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007 and remember, the sizes you are reading about are the minimum, not the optimum. Also, there are lots of other pretty blue fish like damsels and wrasses if your tanks too small for a tang

 

[thaireef]

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

I was thinking of Blue Hippo Tang, but can see that this in the long run is not a good idea, as they grow fast Think I will look for something else. Luckily there is lots to choose from it seems.

 

[CStrickland]

Liveaquaria.com is a good place to learn about fish, they have nice pictures and you can search by different specs like "easy care" or "reef safe"

 

[cloak]

Bigger is always better with tangs, but big tank in the wrong hands cound be a death sentence. (sad reality)

The amount of the these fish on the market and those of us who can house them properly are incredibly swayed IMO.. GL.

 

[snorvich]

RC recommendation.

 

[cloak]

So leave them alone? (ocean)

 

[gallegos]

I had mine in a 90 gallon for a year or so then it started to show signs of stress I know have a 230 and she has plenty of room. I'd say a 180 is fine. Not much difference

 

[MakomekTVN]

RC recommendation.

Pacific Blue or Regal or Hippo Tang 240g min vol, 8ft min length:eek1:

Only 10% reef hobbyist have tank bigger than that and like 5% have 8ft or longer so where all the hippo tangs went since they selling like hot cake. Guess it's all goes down to experience, newbies with a 300g tank can still send that fish down the toilet.

 

[snorvich]

Pacific Blue or Regal or Hippo Tang 240g min vol, 8ft min length:eek1:

Only 10% reef hobbyist have tank bigger than that and like 5% have 8ft or longer so where all the hippo tangs went since they selling like hot cake. Guess it's all goes down to experience, newbies with a 300g tank can still send that fish down the toilet.

Interesting statistics. From where?

 

[ca1ore]

I think the % of reefers that have tanks bigger than 240 is faaaar less than 10% - probably below 1%. The point is taken though, that the vast majority of hippos bought are going into tanks that are too small for them. The even more sobering thought is how many of the hippos bought actually survive to outgrow their tank? I bet that's a really low number too.

 

[sde1500]

Interesting statistics. From where?

73.457% of all statistics are made up on the spot, didn't you know? :hammer:

 

[snorvich]

73.457% of all statistics are made up on the spot, didn't you know? :hammer:

LOTFLMAO. Can I quote you? :blown:

 

[hkgar]

73.457% of all statistics are made up on the spot, didn't you know? :hammer:

That is based on 2015 data. The most recent data, as reported to the NRA (National Reporting Agency) show an increase to 78.839%.

 

[Jrambo88]

Pacific Blue or Regal or Hippo Tang 240g min vol, 8ft min length:eek1:

Only 10% reef hobbyist have tank bigger than that and like 5% have 8ft or longer so where all the hippo tangs went since they selling like hot cake. Guess it's all goes down to experience, newbies with a 300g tank can still send that fish down the toilet.

I guess I forgot to register with the National Association of Recording Aquarium sizes found in homes of Americans. Or the NARASFHA. I didn't know anyone kept these types of statistics.

 

[FirstContact]

Probably catch a lot of grief over this post, but isn't it also related to how much water is in the total system volume and not just DT size for tangs? Think some of the posts that try to suggest a lot of hobbyists keep blue hippo tangs in tanks smaller than 180g is basically correct.