Large Reef Tangs??

Mattsaquariums

New member
Been looking for a tang that gets to a good size so that it can me almost like my main/show fish of my reef. I will either have a 180 or 220 sized aquarium and I wanted a Sohal tang but they seem to be too aggressive. Basically im looking for a fish similar to the size and behavior or a naso tang(with more color) if anyone knows of any?

I came across these tangs and if anyone could tell me about them that would help a lot because i cant seem to find much on them, or even how they will actually look like?:

-Black Spot Tang (Acanthurus bariene)
-Fowleri Tang (Acanthurus fowleri) (this one looks cool!)
-Dussumieri Tang (Acanthurus dussumieri)
 
Live Aquaria has write-ups and pictures of each of those fish. They also come with a tank size recommendation of 360 gallons.

Personally, I believe they are best left in the ocean. They are much too large for average home aquaria.
 
All the tangs you mentioned and mentioned above get too large for a 220g. Purple tang would go nice in a tank that size, most Acanthurus tangs get too large for a 220g so I would steer clear of them
 
All the tangs you mentioned and mentioned above get too large for a 220g. Purple tang would go nice in a tank that size, most Acanthurus tangs get too large for a 220g so I would steer clear of them

Oh ok. Can someone tell me why a naso tang needs only a 180 and its max size is only 3" less the ones i mentioned above yet those need 300g+? Confused by this.

And this there any tang that gets around the size and character of a naso tang thats more colorful and would fit in my tank? Maybe a rare tang i havent heard of? lol thanks!
 
Not sure of the specifics for this example, but I know size of the fish is the main, but not only determination factor in tanks sizing. Temperament, territory needs, and swimming pattern have allot to do with it as well...
 
Been looking for a tang that gets to a good size so that it can me almost like my main/show fish of my reef. I will either have a 180 or 220 sized aquarium and I wanted a Sohal tang but they seem to be too aggressive. Basically im looking for a fish similar to the size and behavior or a naso tang(with more color) if anyone knows of any?

I came across these tangs and if anyone could tell me about them that would help a lot because i cant seem to find much on them, or even how they will actually look like?:

-Black Spot Tang (Acanthurus bariene) Gets to 1 1/2' and needs a 360 gal or bigger
-Fowleri Tang (Acanthurus fowleri) (this one looks cool!) Gets to 1 1/2' and needs a 360 gal or bigger
-Dussumieri Tang (Acanthurus dussumieri) Gets to almost 1 1/2' long and needs a tank of 360 gal or more

You need to look for a bigger tank if you want one of these according to Live Aquaria. They are all beautiful fish.
 
Oh ok. Can someone tell me why a naso tang needs only a 180 and its max size is only 3" less the ones i mentioned above yet those need 300g+?

Naso is a genus with various species offered for sale in home aquaria. I can't think of any that I would recommend for a 180 gallon tank.
 
I understand that. However, I believe that size tank is not appropriate. As you pointed out, the smallest Naso sp. that are commonly available are only slightly smaller than some of the fish with a 360 gallon requirement.
 
Oh, and I don't believe the 360 gallon tank is large enough for any of the fish you mentioned in your initial post. That was just to demonstrate that a 180 was not large enough. It isn't to say that a 360 gallon tank is.
 
Oh ok. Can someone tell me why a naso tang needs only a 180 and its max size is only 3" less the ones i mentioned above yet those need 300g+? Confused by this.

And this there any tang that gets around the size and character of a naso tang thats more colorful and would fit in my tank? Maybe a rare tang i havent heard of? lol thanks!

LiveAquaria has a recommended tank size but I would take that lightly... A full grown Naso needs a 300g tank too. I had a orange shoulder that grew from a 2" juv to a 10" monster in less than 2 years and looked silly in my 220g. When I think back on it now I feel sorry for doing it in the first place. A 12" or larger mature fish shouldn't live in a 6ftx2ftx30" tank for it's entire life. They can easily live 15 yrs if properly housed and cared for
 
LiveAquaria has a recommended tank size but I would take that lightly... A full grown Naso needs a 300g tank too. I had a orange shoulder that grew from a 2" juv to a 10" monster in less than 2 years and looked silly in my 220g. When I think back on it now I feel sorry for doing it in the first place. A 12" or larger mature fish shouldn't live in a 6ftx2ftx30" tank for it's entire life. They can easily live 15 yrs if properly housed and cared for

Oh ok thanks! What fish is in your profile pic btw?

Hmm then i guess ill just have to go with a mix of tangs. My goal is to one point have an achillies tang, but i wanted that one show fish in my tank, that took the attation away from all others if you know what i mean lol
 
Oh ok thanks! What fish is in your profile pic btw?

Hmm then i guess ill just have to go with a mix of tangs. My goal is to one point have an achillies tang, but i wanted that one show fish in my tank, that took the attation away from all others if you know what i mean lol
It's a juvie Bandit Angel. $500 minimum but total show stoppers. The Naso and sohal and such need so much space because they are so active, plus they get huge. They are very strong constant swimmers, doing laps all day.
 
I have a Lopezi, although he grows large he is small at the moment. I also have a blonde nasso, purple, yellow , white cheek and 2 blue tangs.
We added them all together as juveniles and they all get along fine at this stage. Hoping this will not change with maturity.
 

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Live Aquaria has write-ups and pictures of each of those fish. They also come with a tank size recommendation of 360 gallons.

Personally, I believe they are best left in the ocean. They are much too large for average home aquaria.

I agree. Certainly not in a 6 foot tank.
 
I have a naso lituratus in my 360 and assuming it's with me for a long time may require an upgrade at some point in the future.
 

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