Can I keep a Hippo Tang in a 55 reef?

[AllenFord_SC]

You could try keeping a giraffe or maybe a zebra in your closet but they wouldn't be comfortable. Sorry for the sarcasm but that is about the equivilent of keeping a Hippo Tang in a tank that small. Trust me I have looked into it. Do a search on the Hippo Tang and pretty much every online vendor who sells them will tell you no less than a 70 gallon. And that is still cramped for any tang.

 

[tgcreef]

ya well everyone says how hippos need a big tank iv had mine in a 37g for 2 years and well he hasnt grown at all dont know why i feed him alot and he is very healthy and i also have a purple tang in there( blue tang-2.5 in....... purple tang- 1.5 in)

 

[DMK]

if it makes u feel better about getting 1, since u know u probably will, i had a hippo in my first saltwater tank, a 20g. he was in there for about 2 years. they need alot of room, so if u do it make sure there's alot of open space. if not, don't bother. i have a 92 and i wouldn't get a hippo due to their size and the fact that of all tangs, they are most susceptable to LLD, due to stress( no room) and poor nutrition.

 

[fancyfish]

nanomanmaster
he has not grown because your tank is too small. People should not post these threads. they know they will cause "war" amoung those who are opposed to keeping tangs in small tanks and those who think it is ok.
Tangs need swimming room. Having had a small 65 gallon with a tang in it and now a 180 with two tangs I can honestly say it makes a huge difference. my tangs are much healthier, have grown like mad, and appear much more content with their home.
I agree with DMK people are going to buy a tang despite answers all over this board indicating nothing short of 6 feet.
sometimes we can't have what we want. If people want tangs then they should have tanks large enough. we all should be responsible when it comes to reefkeeping and do what is right for our live stock and not what is right for us. My 2cents

 

[piscivorous]

I wasn't trying to start a war...I've just heard mixed things about tangs in a tank this size. Now I see there is enough evidence to wait on the tangs until I have a 180 gallon tank. I am simply trying to do thorough research to find out what I can keep in my 55 gallon tank. The livestock I want in there makes it tough. Giant clams, softies, LPS....shrimp, stars, clowns, royal gramma.....mix softies in, with clams and clowns, and SOMETHING is bound to want to eat these things. Just doing my research, that is all.

 

[rizkeeper]

Kole Tangs are very active, they need a lot of space too, and a lot of rock to graze on. They are very active fish!!! I woul donly say a male yellow tang would be happy in a 55.

 

[tsquad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6580370#post6580370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoManMaster
ya well everyone says how hippos need a big tank iv had mine in a 37g for 2 years and well he hasnt grown at all dont know why i feed him alot and he is very healthy and i also have a purple tang in there( blue tang-2.5 in....... purple tang- 1.5 in)

A fish that is supposed to get 10"+ that hasn't grown in two years is NOT healthy.


Anyways, staying on topic....you CAN keep a Hippo in a 55g, for a very limited time, and IMO I wouldn't do it, as most never upgrade, and become attached to the fish and won't sell it.

 

[acrocrazy]

with a tank that small hell prob have a greater chance of getting lat line disease

 

[brad23]

damn tang police.

 

[piscivorous]

Okay okay...I get the point...wait for my 180 gallon.....next subject.

 

[Yose]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6568185#post6568185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by michindi
I agree with Yose. Imo no fish will grow to what a book says unless you have a VERY large system.

I don't believe I ever made this statement nor did I imply any such thought.

 

[archie1709]

I just recently (and painfully) donated my Blue Hippo Tang. I've had it for 6 months. I bought it when it was 1.5" big. Six months later, it's 3.5". And I am starting to see some dangerous signs of HLLE. The "forehead" (if you may) is starting to remind me of a Parrot Cichlid. The "top" fins are looking great, except that towards the face, it looks like it is receding.

I was a stubborn guy wanting a Blue Hippo on my 4ft 55G. But you have to realize that the fish's world is not just from left to right of your tank. The width also matters. And a 4ft 55G is just too small for an individual. Everytime it turns around, it makes me crunch because it's just too small.

And you are right, TS, people promise to upgrade or donate when it outgrows but you get attached very very much. And it is much painful to donate a Blue Hippo Tang 4 - 5" long. On top of that, they usually give you 1/3 of the selling price. And they sell it at around $90. You get $30 for it....it's sad financially as well.

You've had all the warnings, it's up to you now. But here I am, a sad ex-BHT owner.

 

[fancyfish]

piscivorous
sorry about the war comment. just a general statement that I should of kept to myself. my comments are really directed at people who despite the literature argue that their 20 gallon or 30 gallon is big enough for a tang. I understand the fascination with tangs. they are incredible fish and I myself just love them. i appreciate you taking the time to do the research. consider a pygmy angel, fairy or flasher wrasse, ocillaris clown, royal gramma, flame or needle nose hawk fish blue green chromis, blenny, gobie, cardinal fish....etc. There are alot of choices out there. again just an observation from personal experience. tangs really do belong in large tanks. happy reefing and again I did not mean anything by my statement