Dangerous question, foxface or tang in 50gallon

[BinaryRun]

Hello Reefing Friends,

I know that 50 gallon tanks for tangs are frowned upon and I get it. I read that the main reason for this is isn't necessarily the tank volume, but rather the tank length.

My tank is 4 feet by 1.25 feet. While I expect that it will probably not long enough for a tang, would I be able to keep a foxface happy in there? I do know that I've plenty of food for him.

If I would be able to keep a foxface and/or tang. Which would you recommend?

 

[ali1]

No.

 

[crocogator106]

no.

+1

 

[Sk8r]

ten inch fish with a venomous spine. He'll grow to a certain size, then, like the tang start freaking out and killing his tankmates. You'll see a red spot on them, then mysterious death.

 

[Moeshi]

You already know where this is going. If you are going to bend the "rules", make sure that the tang is able to swim around the rockwork. If you have the rocks leaning on the back wall of the tank, the tang will only be able to swim back and forth. This might be fine for a juvenile that can still turn effortlessly in the water column, but it will start to look really ridiculous as the fish grows and gets too big.
The same goes for foxfaces, although they aren't as frantic swimmers.

If you don't plan on upgrading your tank, and you know that you will end up with a tang in the end, please consider that:
-The tang needs as much space as you can give it, and it might be beneficial to rescape the tank.
-Don't slack on the nori, when the tank is devoid of any algae after a month.
-Maintain good and high flow to exercise the fish, to keep it in good health.
-Please do not attempt a new tang if the first one succumbs to ich and stress.

To answer your question more directly. You will be able to keep a juvenile happy. As it grows, serious thought will have to be put into the setup to make things work out.
Liveaquaria is generally a good source for tank size recommendations.

It will most likely have to be a Scopas or a Two-spot tang.

 

[SaintAndrews]

As long as you get really small fish and have a plan for rehoming them relatively soon. (I'm guessing within a year.) Go ahead and get the fish. If you don't have a plan and a back up plan I would say you are "bending the rules" way too much to have either of those fish in that tank for long term.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[SaintAndrews]

As long as you get really small fish and have a plan for rehoming them relatively soon. (I'm guessing within a year.) Go ahead and get the fish. If you don't have a plan and a back up plan I would say you are "bending the rules" way too much to have either of those fish in that tank for long term.

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Rehoming to a much bigger tank.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[BinaryRun]

ten inch fish with a venomous spine. He'll grow to a certain size, then, like the tang start freaking out and killing his tankmates. You'll see a red spot on them, then mysterious death.

I thought that one spots only grew to about 7inch (according to liveaquaria).

You already know where this is going. If you are going to bend the "rules", make sure that the tang is able to swim around the rockwork. If you have the rocks leaning on the back wall of the tank, the tang will only be able to swim back and forth. This might be fine for a juvenile that can still turn effortlessly in the water column, but it will start to look really ridiculous as the fish grows and gets too big.
The same goes for foxfaces, although they aren't as frantic swimmers.

If you don't plan on upgrading your tank, and you know that you will end up with a tang in the end, please consider that:
-The tang needs as much space as you can give it, and it might be beneficial to rescape the tank.
-Don't slack on the nori, when the tank is devoid of any algae after a month.
-Maintain good and high flow to exercise the fish, to keep it in good health.
-Please do not attempt a new tang if the first one succumbs to ich and stress.

To answer your question more directly. You will be able to keep a juvenile happy. As it grows, serious thought will have to be put into the setup to make things work out.
Liveaquaria is generally a good source for tank size recommendations.

It will most likely have to be a Scopas or a Two-spot tang.

My rockwork is placed in the middle of the tank, with the intention of it being easier to clean the windows, but it also allows for better swimming room. I'll share a picture: (My clown wanted some attention as well. )

 

[BinaryRun]

As for upgrading later, I'm looking into the possibility, but I'm not entirely sure if that will be possible due to space constraints.

 

[sde1500]

As for upgrading later, I'm looking into the possibility, but I'm not entirely sure if that will be possible due to space constraints.

Then just get fish that can live their full lives in that tank you have now. I never will understand the obsession sometimes with trying to get fish not suited for the tank one has. I mean I get that the fish are nice, but don't do it. I wanted a big dog, but only had a small apartment so settled for some cats. Now I have a house and big yard and big dog. Buy what fish fit your situation, don't force it.

 

[BinaryRun]

Then just get fish that can live their full lives in that tank you have now. I never will understand the obsession sometimes with trying to get fish not suited for the tank one has. I mean I get that the fish are nice, but don't do it. I wanted a big dog, but only had a small apartment so settled for some cats. Now I have a house and big yard and big dog. Buy what fish fit your situation, don't force it.

I'd love to have a dog!

Anyhow, we all know that swimming requirements for tangs, but how about rabbitfish / foxfaces?

 

[ericarenee]

I Just want to add larger fish will cause that algae issue to explode...
Not even going to comment on the large fish in small tank ...

You should be testing your nutrient levels and lighting/ lighting cycles..

My Honest opinion ..

 

[gone fishin]

I have a foxface lo, he is constantly cruising from one end to the other front to back. I got him about 4 years ago, at purchase he was about 4 inches now he is about 7 inches.

I see many times folks will say they will rehome a fish when it gets to big. The trouble is a lot of LFS do not want large fish. They do not sell as well as smaller fish. There are far more smaller tanks than larger tanks out there.

 

[BinaryRun]

I Just want to add larger fish will cause that algae issue to explode...
Not even going to comment on the large fish in small tank ...

You should be testing your nutrient levels and lighting/ lighting cycles..

My Honest opinion ..

It looks worse then it actually is, no worries there.

I have a foxface lo, he is constantly cruising from one end to the other front to back. I got him about 4 years ago, at purchase he was about 4 inches now he is about 7 inches.

I see many times folks will say they will rehome a fish when it gets to big. The trouble is a lot of LFS do not want large fish. They do not sell as well as smaller fish. There are far more smaller tanks than larger tanks out there.

I'm personally against rehoming with your LFS. Either get a bigger tank or don't get it. I did some re-calculations though and my tank is actually 65 gallons, not 50 gallon. I did a bad job at converting liters to gallons. Would that change anything?

 

[gone fishin]

I will assume the dimensions did not change just the liters to gallons conversion. IMO I would not get one. At the end of the day it is your tank and you will ultimately do what you want. I wish you good luck on whatever choice you make.

 

[MuShu]

Why do you want one or both of those fish? Is it for algae consumption or color?

 

[BinaryRun]

Why do you want one or both of those fish? Is it for algae consumption or color?

One only, it will be for the colour pattern and the looks. I love fish with long noses and foxfaces and yellow tangs are extremely pretty. It's a nice feat that they eat algae, but I've had my eye out for them even before I knew that they eat algae.

 

[MuShu]

I would hold off and see about upgrading the aquarium first. I say this as a person with a 55gal who really wants a magnificent foxface and a harlequin tusk.

Think about them as if they were dogs- you would not get a dog who needs constant stimulation if you live in a tiny apartment with no yard and no walkable trails nearby. It's not fair to get a fish that needs a lot of space and put it in an apartment/aquarium that is too small as well- especially a fish that you really want.

 

[BinaryRun]

I've been looking more into it and I'm afraid that you guys are right. What would be the maximum size of fish that you believe my tank could support?

 

[BinaryRun]

Or would you guys have any advice for fish with a long nose such as the yellow tang, foxface and copperband that would happily fit in my tank?