Purple tang in a 120g?

[ryanuuy]

I want to place a purple tang in my 4ftx2ftx2ft tank. its a reef tank with LPS and soft corals only. Is that enough space? i was also thinking of adding a mystery wrasse and a melanurus wrasse, and a couple of royal grammas.

what do you think?

 

[Drjusc00]

Sure. I had one in my 100g for 4 years and he loved it. He is now in my 180g.

 

[aulepe]

I haven't personally kept a purple tang, but have had no problems with a pacific blue and chevron in a 150 gal. Most books say 100 gal min for a purple but doesn't seem like you'll have many other large fish in your tank, so i would think it would be okay- keeping in mind that purples have a rep for being on the more aggressive side, so it might not tolerate any similar sized or shaped food competitors in a "tighter" environment. Even in my 150, my pacific blue (which are supposedly not as aggressive) beat up on a bellus angel and a blue jaw trigger which I attempted to add later.
Good luck!

 

[TampaReefer79]

Sure. I had one in my 100g for 4 years and he loved it. He is now in my 180g.

He loved it? How do you know that?

I'd say a 120 is too small for a purple. Just my opinion...although I've never heard from any fish one way or the other.

 

[anbosu]

I wouldn't put a purple tang in a 4 foot tank. Based on postings from people that have, they tend to get very aggressive with time. If it was a 5 foot tank I think it would still be borderline but you would have a much better chance of success.

 

[ryanuuy]

even if i dont plan to put any other tangs or fishes with similar shape? the flow in my 120 is also pretty good, would that help?

i mean i really want the fish but not if its not going to be happy in my tank!

 

[Drjusc00]

even if i dont plan to put any other tangs or fishes with similar shape? the flow in my 120 is also pretty good, would that help?

i mean i really want the fish but not if its not going to be happy in my tank!

It will be fine.

 

[ryanuuy]

thanks! ill be getting one tomorrow then!

 

[sfboarders]

I have a 2" purple tang in my 100 gallon 5ft tank. You should be ok.

 

[jhutton]

i have had one in my 90 gallon for 5 years till a power outage took out the tank

a friend has had one in a 75 gallon for 10+ years sold it to another reefer as he moved and broke down the tank

it can be done

 

[sanchoy]

PT will be fine in a 120. Tang police

 

[Toddrtrex]

I wouldn't do it.

I had one for about 1.5 years in a 4 foot 75, near the end it became a terror, and was swimming back and forth. It would even go after my Clarkii pair, and cut the male on several occasions.

 

[TampaReefer79]

I wouldn't put a purple tang in a 4 foot tank. Based on postings from people that have, they tend to get very aggressive with time. If it was a 5 foot tank I think it would still be borderline but you would have a much better chance of success.

:thumbsup:

even if i dont plan to put any other tangs or fishes with similar shape? the flow in my 120 is also pretty good, would that help?

i mean i really want the fish but not if its not going to be happy in my tank!

It has NOTHING to do with other fish in the tank. It has to do with the footprint not giving the fish enough room to swim. So no, it won't be happy in your tank.

It will be fine.

Will it?

thanks! ill be getting one tomorrow then!

You have multiple people telling you that it's not a hot idea, but because you heard from one person saying it will be fine, you ignore the folks giving you opposite advice?

i have had one in my 90 gallon for 5 years till a power outage took out the tank

a friend has had one in a 75 gallon for 10+ years sold it to another reefer as he moved and broke down the tank

it can be done

Sure it CAN be done. Lots of things CAN be done. It's a question of SHOULD they be done? It goes back to my favorite statement in this hobby...it depends on if you want your fish to THRIVE or SURVIVE. There's a big difference between the two. Think about it before making up your mind.

PT will be fine in a 120. Tang police

You act like that's a derogatory comment. It's not. If someone asks a question about tangs, how can you NOT get opinions about...TANGS? Then all of a sudden when people actually give the advice the OP was seeking, we become tang police. lol lol lol lol lol :lol2:

I wouldn't do it.

I had one for about 1.5 years in a 4 foot 75, near the end it became a terror, and was swimming back and forth. It would even go after my Clarkii pair, and cut the male on several occasions.

:thumbsup:

Wow, only 1.5 years and it became a terror. Imagine what it would have done in TEN years?

 

[unbreakable]

we have a small purple tang at work in a small tank, must be 30-40 gallons or so, but its very aggressive towards a dragon goby. has no problem trying to assert its dominance over other fish in the tank and tries to swat them with its tail

 

[TampaReefer79]

 

[BrianD]

we have a small purple tang at work in a small tank, must be 30-40 gallons or so, but its very aggressive towards a dragon goby. has no problem trying to assert its dominance over other fish in the tank and tries to swat them with its tail

How sad.

 

[BrianD]

No reason for this to continue. The OP didn't want advice, he wanted someone to agree with him.

 

[BrianD]

PT will be fine in a 120. Tang police

You can either offer advice without the snide comment, or not offer advice. Your choice.