Clown Tang "Species Tank"?

[SoloChromis]

Clown tangs (Acanthurus lineatus) have long been one of my favorite fish, but I have always known that they simply won't mingle well with the rest of my ideal set of community fish (other tangs, genicanthus angels, reef-safe butterflies etc.). Im now considering later on down the road setting up a tank in my studio which would house only a clown tang (+ a couple damsels). The whole tank would be catered to the needs of this very active, very sensitive and very aggressive species. I could link it up to my other species-type tanks that I would set up in the same room (mantis tank, octopus tank, angler tank). As far as the specifics of the setup, I was thinking the tank could be around 8' long, on the narrower side and a not so tall either, with minimal rock-work and a black sand bed to off set the bright patterns on the clown. Also, to save money on electricity (and the lights themselves) I could have the tank sunlit, with maybe a single blue LED fixture in the center for nighttime viewing. I was considering filling the tank with prolific softies and a huge variety of macro algae to give the tang a natural food source, while also putting a slight dent in the nutrient levels. So my question is, do you think this plan is solid and how big should the tank be to successfully keep the tang for it's entire lifespan? Thanks everyone :fish1:

 

[nikon187]

In short no, i have a clown tang for over 3yrs now and i would say the smallest tank you are going to need is 96 x 36 x24. Im building a 120 x 48 x 24atm


Also mine is kept with a larger lamark angel, many wrasses,2 kumpang damsels, clownfish, and a raccoon butterfly

 

[jda]

I have a clown right now in a 240 and it is fine. It is not strapped for room or food. It is also not very big at about 5" from head to end of the tail. It lets the anthias and firefish eat and leaves my wuss copperband alone. It doesn't mess with the wrasses or skunk clowns at all. He is a good citizen at the moment.

I have a very large flow pump (AquaMedic Ecodrift 20) that I turn on for about 15 minutes each day to get the stuff stirred up and it freaks him out every time. He just hates it... starts huffing and puffing and pacing. Otherwise, he just kinda swims around. I know that people say that they like a lot of flow, but my experience has been just the opposite... I have a tunze wavebox and a pair of 6100s on my 240 and I would not want any more. When the Ecodrift 20 is on, the fish is not happy.

My general opinion is that some tangs are like the idiots on big brother - they are generally OK, but when you cram them into a tight space, overstimulate and underfeed them, then they turn into jerks.

I just added a pair of swallowtail angels and after about a 2 hour meet and greet, he just leaves them alone as well.

 

[SoloChromis]

I have a clown right now in a 240 and it is fine. It is not strapped for room or food. It is also not very big at about 5" from head to end of the tail. It lets the anthias and firefish eat and leaves my wuss copperband alone. It doesn't mess with the wrasses or skunk clowns at all. He is a good citizen at the moment.

I have a very large flow pump (AquaMedic Ecodrift 20) that I turn on for about 15 minutes each day to get the stuff stirred up and it freaks him out every time. He just hates it... starts huffing and puffing and pacing. Otherwise, he just kinda swims around. I know that people say that they like a lot of flow, but my experience has been just the opposite... I have a tunze wavebox and a pair of 6100s on my 240 and I would not want any more. When the Ecodrift 20 is on, the fish is not happy.

My general opinion is that some tangs are like the idiots on big brother - they are generally OK, but when you cram them into a tight space, overstimulate and underfeed them, then they turn into jerks.

I just added a pair of swallowtail angels and after about a 2 hour meet and greet, he just leaves them alone as well.

Problem is, a large dussumieri or fowleri tang will be the showpiece of my eventual "dream tank", along with a purple, black, convict and caribbean blue. I also love the more diminutive groups of fish such as jawfish, dartfish, gobies, possum wrasses etc. I have a feeling a clown would reek havoc on a community of fish like that.

 

[sc50964]

Clown Tang "Species Tank"?

I have had mine since he was 3" long in my 60 gallon. Now he is 7" and the only fish in the tank. I want to move him but he seems to be doing fine so he will stay here for now.

 

[Dmorty217]

Mine is 3-3.5" now(got it at 2") and he has never been afraid of any fish I own including the 8" foxface that he had a problem with for a day or so. I find as long as you don't add any other fish, there isn't a problem. However any new additions will be harassed until the clown feels as though it has asserted it's dominance which sometimes leads to death in new arrivals. When I setup the 7x6x2ft 625g I have , he will be the last fish added even if he doesn't grow a single inch from now until then. Even then he may end up with his own 220g to call home...

 

[OSTguy]

I got mine in 08 and sold it in 14. Started off around 8", sold at 9.5". Finally got too mean.