C. tominiensis vs C. binotatus in a 55g

[Bent]

My 55 is minimally aquascaped and I think it should be plenty of room for either of these species. And before the tang police turn their sirens on, take a look at the details of these species first.

Can anyone give me the pros and cons, compare and contrast these guys? I've really been considering pulling the trigger.

Thanks.

 

[Tjsmoot]

As much as you might want one, I don't think it's a very good idea to put either in a 55. Live Aquaria recommends a 70 gallon MINIMUM for both of those, and the reef central tang tank sizes recommends a 75 gallon minimum for the Tomini. I really want to stress that these are the minimums, and aren't exactly always going to be comfortable for the tang. While I realize it's nearly impossible to provide a tang with the amount of space they roam in the ocean, I do think that putting them in something that small is not right. I currently have a 90 gallon and decided against a bristle tooth tang for my tank, even though it's more than the minimum. I try to give my fish at least double the minimum, or close to it. My largest fish is a leopard wrasse, which has a minimum of 50 gallons. I hope that you decide against a tang, as there are tons of really cool fish that would work in 55.

 

[Bent]

Honest officer, I originally had no intention of getting any tang.

I posted pics of both of these species a while back when my LFS had them and was told by many experienced people in that thread that either one would do just fine in a 55 despite my reservations. Also while researching and reading after being told that, I found that the bristletooth species are lower energy, smaller size and do not require the swim room that is larger cousins do.

I still haven't decided if I'm going to get either of them yet. I was hoping to hear from some people regarding both of them before I make a decision. I know the max length recorded on both species is 6", and I'm still not sure if I want a 6" fish. I've been stocking my tank as an "Easter egg" tank, and a large fish would negate that.

 

[Deinonych]

Also while researching and reading after being told that, I found that the bristletooth species are lower energy, smaller size and do not require the swim room that is larger cousins do.

They may be smaller than other species of tang, but they are certainly not low energy. My Kole (C. strigosus) uses every bit of tank length in my 105 gal (48" long). He/she is constantly on the move. You might be able to get away with one in a 55 gal, but I wouldn't do it. You're likely to see some aggression toward other tankmates in those small confines.

 

[Tjsmoot]

Yeah, I know what you're saying. Everybody has different opinions on tank sizes for fish. Most aren't as drastic as trying for double, but I do think that the recommendations given by Live Aquaria and on here in the Tank Sizes for Tangs thread are accurate. While some people may not agree with me, I will stand by saying that I don't think a bristle tooth tang is suitable for a 55 gallon. The "Easter Egg" style sounds very interesting. What fish do you have so far?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

So should the question be can you put either one of those tangs in a 48" tank.

 

[Bent]

Yeah, I know what you're saying. Everybody has different opinions on tank sizes for fish. Most aren't as drastic as trying for double, but I do think that the recommendations given by Live Aquaria and on here in the Tank Sizes for Tangs thread are accurate. While some people may not agree with me, I will stand by saying that I don't think a bristle tooth tang is suitable for a 55 gallon. The "Easter Egg" style sounds very interesting. What fish do you have so far?

Well my original plan was not to have any fish over 3" and nothing super active. I really built all this for the kids, it's at their eye level and they love to push their faces up against the tank and shout out all the stuff they see. So I really didn't want anything you could see from across the room.

Right now fish wise I just have a Lawn mower blenny, a green Mandy (given as a rescue) a red firefish, a oscii clown and a pretty large engineer goby who stays hid most of the time.

I really want some more tiny fish for the kids to find.

 

[Tjsmoot]

I think your "Easter Egg" plan is a really good idea and probably the best choice. If you haven't checked them out, and depending on your setup, I would suggest a type of basslet. Also, something really peaceful, and interesting to watch are the wetmorella wrasses. I used to have a Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse and it was definitely a fish I'd like to have again. It would also work out for your kids as a sort of "Where's Waldo" game. The only concerns I would have with a possum wrasse in your tank, is that it is extremely peaceful, so it can be bullied easily by more aggressive fish, and they do graze on the rocks, so it may outcompete your mandarin for pods. Mine was never bullied, but I definitely wouldn't put one in a tank with aggressive fish. Mine also ate mysis and pellets, so it's not dependent on pods, but it was constantly searching the rocks.

I hope you can find some smaller fish that suit your needs. Good luck