How hardy are regal tangs?

[Lewis2000]

I know that they are 'ICH magnets', but is this fish considered to be hardy or difficult to keep. Is it best to QT them, as I have heard people Debating over this saying that the multiple tank changes will stress it out, causing ich etc or is it best to QT?

Anyone keeping regals any tips on caring for them?
How can you prevent the regal from getting ICH?
If it does get ICH in the DT, will it fight it off itself or do u need to move him to QT(at what point do you know that it will become a danger to tank mates)?

My LFS said that when you first introduce them they will get ich, and is normally fine in a few days

Any of your experiences with this fish would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance,Lewis

 

[aquaph8]

IMO, anyone that says QT is a bad thing doesn't know what they're talking about. I'd consider regal tangs intermediate, they can be a little skittish at first. Supply them with lots of nori and plenty of space and they'll be with you a long time. It's best to avoid ich in the display tank and treat it in QT and be done with it. QT is a learning process like anything else but once you master it you'll never understand why people don't do it.

 

[Lewis2000]

Thanks for your quick reply, I have a small 7 gallon nano(35x35x35) tank that i previously used to treat ich with. The regal tang will only be 2-3" MAX when i purchase it, that being said will that size tank be okay for a baby regal for a few weeks and not cause it stress or will i need to invest in something bigger (10 gallons etc)?.

Q- When i add the regal into the DT and it gets ich is it better to leave it to fight it off itself or take it out and put him in QT?

Im guessing when quarantining the regal for a few weeks it will stop it from getting it when introduced to the DT?

 

[Dmorty217]

IMO, anyone that says QT is a bad thing doesn't know what they're talking about. I'd consider regal tangs intermediate, they can be a little skittish at first. Supply them with lots of nori and plenty of space and they'll be with you a long time. It's best to avoid ich in the display tank and treat it in QT and be done with it. QT is a learning process like anything else but once you master it you'll never understand why people don't do it.

+1 summed it up

 

[pktech]

I bought 3 regal Tangs - tiny size 1" or less & let me say they were awesome active wonderful little buggers. My issue was that they GREW HUGE - very FAST (3 months?) I had to rehome them. QT is always encouraged.

 

[Lewis2000]

thanks for everyones input, I have a 7 gallon nano tank (35x35x35), The regal that i purchase will be no bigger than 2-3", that being said is my 7 gallon QT too small for a regal? or will i need to invest in something a bit bigger (10 gallon?).

Q- When i add my regal to the DT and it gets it ICH it best to let it fight it off itself or put it straight back in to quarantine?

Im guessing that by quarantining him for a few weeks that will stop him from getting ICH when he is then introduced to the DT

Thanks in advance, Lewis

 

[woodnaquanut]

thanks for everyones input, I have a 7 gallon nano tank (35x35x35), The regal that i purchase will be no bigger than 2-3", that being said is my 7 gallon QT too small for a regal? or will i need to invest in something a bit bigger (10 gallon?).

Q- When i add my regal to the DT and it gets it ICH it best to let it fight it off itself or put it straight back in to quarantine?

Im guessing that by quarantining him for a few weeks that will stop him from getting ICH when he is then introduced to the DT

Thanks in advance, Lewis

Confusing post. Is your DT 7 gallons? Is it 35 cm or inches? Is that your QT?

I'd use a 20L for that fish in QT, minimum. Perhaps you could borrow one from a fish buddy?

How big is the DT?

Does your DT have Ich? If it doesn't, once you are sure your tang doesn't have it (Tank transfer, treat with copper or cloroquine phosphate), it won't get Ich. There needs to be a source of the infection.

If there is Ich in the DT, QT won't prevent the tang from getting it in the DT.

You might want to do some reading in the 'fish disease treatment' forum for a more detailed discussion of the above.

 

[aquaph8]

Completely agree with everything John said.

 

[Lewis2000]

sorry for that post, reading it back now its quite confusing.

My DT is 55 gallons (understand that the regal will need moved at some point when it gets bigger)
My QT is the 7 gallon (35 litre)that i plan on using as a QT (p.s i don't have a regal tang,nor ICH in any of the tanks)

I was just confirming that the 7 gallon that i will use as a QT be big enough for a baby regal for a few weeks?

i have not purchased a regal yet, sorry for the confusion- lewis

 

[PatW]

Regal tangs require 180 gallons according to live aquaria. I have seen others claim that nothing less than an 8', 240 gallon tank will do. 55 gallons is not enough.

 

[Lewis2000]

I will only be keeping him as a juvenile and then move him to a bigger home, the tank if 4.5 ft long with rocks for grazing and plenty of algae.

 

[Paaty]

Hi lewis, just to give u an idea i purchased a 1.5" inch regal tang about 8 months ago for my 325g and he is about 7" inches now. Not sure if you would want to purchase a fish that will most likely out grow your tank in less than 1 year.

 

[lespaul339]

Also if you put it in a tank that small more than likely you will notice aggression from your tang towards other fish. They can be quite the bullies (more so when they get older), especially when kept in a small tank.