I have a Blue Hippo in a 75 gallon. I got him from someone that had him for 12 years in their 75 gallon they were tearing down. This was five years ago so he is now 17+ years old. He is small at only 6 inches but he eats and seems happy but thats tough to tell since I'm not a fish shrink. Would I put another one in my 75 probably not but I was trying to prevent this guy from just getting rid of the fish. But I have to say 17 years is a long time for a fish to live that shouldn't be in a tank that size so I have to question that a little. My guess is there are not a lot of 17 year old fish out there.
more tang arguments
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airplanes1016
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If you have a hippo tang thats 17yrs old and its six inches in length, something is seriously wrong, thats not at all normal...
Read the whole post it was not my fish for 12 years. It was done growing when I got it if you would have read the whole thing I also said I would not add another tang to the tank once this one is gone. I realize his growth was stunted but I didn't cause it. Don't get mad though because you can't keep fish that long. I take very good care of my tank and I took this fish because the guy was going to throw him out. Sorry you feel it was better for him to be tossed.
Easy there, I don't see anywhere that he said it would be better if he was tossed. He said its not normal and is absolutely correct, a 6" 17 yo hippo isn't normal.
I never disagreed with him and I would not put a hippo in a 75 but this was the best alternative. Plus like I said he was done growing and has been great for 5 years in my tank. But I won't put another one in my tank. Like I said though that is one hell of an unhealthy 17 year old fish so turn me into edited because he lived so long.
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I care for a hippo that is 16 years old- he is full grown in a 125. I personally think that there is little diffrence between a six and eight foot tank for fish. I think I would rather have more width one the 6 foot length has been established. The main issue I have with this whole argument is the lack of any true data that shows that the reccomended tank size makes a diffrence. I think we should all strive for the best and biggest tanks we can if we desire these fish-and if we have smalller tanks- be concious of water quality and other stresses. Once you take schooling fish out of the school-their behavior changes dramatically anyway- yet I don`t see people saying don`t keep yellow tangs in groups of less than 12.
Turbovr3six
Colored Sticks addict
Agree 100%.
FWIW, This has only been 5 months:
Tangs grow FAST
It's truly sad to see people like the OP (and others) thinking tangs are "healthy" only because there alive, disease free and fat.:rolleye1:
Angel*Fish
cats and large squashes
For heaven's sake! Will you put that fish back in the water?! :lol:
Nice clear example.
Nice clear example.
mthomp
New member
define normal though? we create designer animals to suit our wants every day. You think that teacup poodle started out that way? As far as fish happiness, if we were really concerned about that, we wouldnt be taking them out of the ocean to start with. The best we can do is supply them with an enviroment that is what we feel is suitable for them, and much of that is based on what is appealing to us not what is in the best interest of the specimen.
Turbovr3six
Colored Sticks addict
:rolleye1: .....Man created dog species by cross breeding them for THOUSANDS of years to serve a certain purpose(s).
perfect example of irresponsible reefkeeping :fun2:
mthomp
New member
then IMO we are all guilty of being irresponsible reefkeepers, because even that tiny gobby came from something bigger then anyone of us keep in our homes.
we keep them for our own amusement and nothing more.
Turbovr3six
Colored Sticks addict
^^^You are missing the point pal.
I would love to have a nano due to lower cost to run, but to say I want a tang, angel, and stingray in there because "its appealing to me" is ridiculous.
I would love to have a nano due to lower cost to run, but to say I want a tang, angel, and stingray in there because "its appealing to me" is ridiculous.
mthomp
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thats not poor reefkeeping, thats being overly dramatic. I have 3 tangs in my 90 for example, none get over 9 inchs in the wild, Ill bet they dont get over 6 in my system. and they will be fine.
You have to keep in mind the environment your fish come from and their actual care requirements. A clownfish, for instance, does not stray far from their host anemone in the wild, therefore, they require a much smaller tank than a tang, whose natural behavior is to cruise vast expanses of the reef foraging for food, which obviously would need a large, long tank.
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samdaman
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You can't compare a goby to a tang! I have goby's they move from mushroom to mushroom, ON THE SAME ROCK! I have had the goby in a 50 gal, HE stays in the same section. On the other hand, a tang does not stop swimming, thats what they do, and small tanks can't offer what they need.
Frogmanx82
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There are a host of fish that won't reach wild proportions in a box in your house, it doesn't mean they can't or shouldn't be kept. Honestly the whole hobby is a bit selfish as we keep animals in artificial environments for our own pleasure. Its a bit of a double standard in my opinion. Anybody breeding tangs in their tanks? Probably not. Suppose I draw the line there and say if they're not breeding, they're not happy, and you shouldn't keep them. There's an awful lot of rock throwing around here by people in glass houses.
I don't disagree with the advice, its the malice toward those who have drawn their line in a different place and found success in their eyes that I have a problem with. A 17 year old tang and that's still not good enough? :rolleye1:
I don't disagree with the advice, its the malice toward those who have drawn their line in a different place and found success in their eyes that I have a problem with. A 17 year old tang and that's still not good enough? :rolleye1:
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SwampyBill
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Considering OP's name, is it any surprise about their irresponsible fishkeeping attitude...?
I agree. I have a Yellow Tang in a 40 gallon tank waiting to be placed in a 100 gallon tank when it is ready. I think some tangs could be kept in a 55 gallon. It would have to be only one with not that much live stock. Is it the best enviroment? No. But can it be done? Yes. The truth is a Tang in a home aquarium less then 500 gallons is like a big dog in an apartment. Not the best choice but can be done. Everyone is acting like they are better then the lady that posted this. Wow take a look in the mirror. If you have a tank that is 500+ then by all means speak away. I think that 99.9% of us on here can not say this. I personal think you need at least 75 gallon tank or above to keep one tang. By tang I mean the smaller ones. But I am not going to blast the lady for what makes her happy and if it is still alive then good for her. There are some tangs that we just need to leave in the ocean and that would be another post. Well my 2 cents.
Have a look at this new thread created by several members of Team RC - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946007
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