Powder blue tang in a 150 gallon dd tank

[radksa]

Hello,
I was wondering what concensus opinion was concerning keeping a powder blue tang in a 150 gallon dd sps reef tank. The dimensions are 36x36x27. I understand the thought on keeping them in a 6 foot tank, but if you can keep one in a 125 gallon tank (as Liveaquaria suggests as the tank minimum size) where the dimensions are 72 inches long but narrow at 18 inches wide, could the added width make it a realistic tank to keep an adult powder blue tang. I would not have a very large fish population in this particular tank, if that helps at all. I am open to all opinions and suggestions. Thanks for your time,
Scott

 

[loup]

I wouldn't do it. They need swimming distance which means your tank is too short. In such a limit space, I would be afraid the pbt going get real aggressive to new comers.

 

[sandwi54]

Tangs need straight swimming space and 36" is too short for them. PBT needs at least 72" of straight-through swimming length. My PBT often dashes from one end of my 8-foot tank to the other.

 

[footballdude2k3]

I am putting one in my 125, but it is the standard 6' and it is going in last, I will also be getting the smallest one I can find and this is a somewhat temporary tank as I am planning a 180-300 when I move in 20ish months, but the tang is still prolly 6 months away from being purchased so it will be just over a year.

 

[jnc914]

I just recently removed my PBT from a standard 6' 180 gallon display due to its aggression towards just about every other fish in the tank. It is about 4" and would bully a larger male Bellus Angel. The fish also loves a lot of flow and it hung out in from of the Vortechs when not harrassing tank mates. It was in constant motion and would swim the length of the tank even when only the moonlights were on.

Bottom line, I would never attempt one in a 150DD. I regret trying one in a 180 gallon.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I just recently removed my PBT from a standard 6' 180 gallon display due to its aggression towards just about every other fish in the tank. It is about 4" and would bully a larger male Bellus Angel. The fish also loves a lot of flow and it hung out in from of the Vortechs when not harrassing tank mates. It was in constant motion and would swim the length of the tank even when only the moonlights were on.

Bottom line, I would never attempt one in a 150DD. I regret trying one in a 180 gallon.

I agree. Nothing will bring out the aggression in certain tangs (and many fish) like being cramped will. I have seen PBTs that have spent several years in shorter tanks and they don't even resemble those that have had enough room. The energy many fish would use cruising the length of a bigger tank has to go somewhere, and its usually aggression. What other options do they have?

 

[HumbleFish]

I've got a PBT in my 5' 150 gal, and I can see she really needs a bigger tank. She just paces back & forth the front of the tank... looking for that extra foot she was promised.

 

[MIKE NY]

I kept mine in a standard 90 for over ten years..the only problem, as mentioned already, is aggression towards any new tangs of simular shaped fish...it's in a 170 now...it's about 15 years old and still nasty. I just have to take it out for a few days when a newbie arrives...I wouldn't attempt it in only a 36" length tank...