Should we rething our stocking suggestions?

[Amoore311]

I came across this article on a certain prominent reef keeping blog that I can't link here.

Basically...

Hepatus (Regal) Tangs have successfully spawned in captivity. And it was in a hobbyist's tank!

Only standard hobbyist equipment was used. The tank in which this took place was only 175 Gallons (70 x 24 x 24).

Now we all will admit fish that aren't happy don't spawn.

What gives here? For an adult hepatus the MINIMUM suggested size we usually toss around is a 6' (180 Gallon) tank. One could deduce from this article that a properly oriented 6' tank is, in reality, ideal for this fish.


I will admit the tank in the article has A LOT of swimming space. But at the same time.... the guy has 7 Tangs in that tank.

3 Hepatus
2 Yellow
1 Powder Blue
1 Naso


I was more or less interested in everyone's thoughts on the subject. It seems the commonly accepted stocking guidelines for tangs may be a bit off after all?

 

[SDguy]

Rethinking common suggestions is something we should always do. Otherwise, it would be a stagnant, non-productive, hobby.

 

[MikeandNicole]

I think a lot of the suggestions on here are skewed towards the safe side and beginner reefers. I think this is good and we should always err on the side of caution because we will never know everything there is to know about someone's system. That is why people make the generalization on here that a blue hippo should be in a 6 foot tank because you have a better chance of success in a 6 foot tank vs say a 2 foot tank. In this instance the person has a 6 foot tank with a ton of open swimming room and probably know what they were doing when they setup the tank.

As science, technology and fish rearing has advanced so has fish keeping. People are keeping fish now a days that 5 years ago would have been considered impossible. The amount of fish being captive raised now was also a pipe dream just a few years ago.

 

[Amoore311]

I agree for sure Peter.

How do you feel about this discovery specifically in relation to min. tank requirements to hepatus tangs?

 

[SDguy]

I agree with the comment that often it is better to overestimate the needs of a fish, because chances of success are better.

 

[LukFox]

I disagree that a spawning fish is always a healthy one. I had a cherub angelfish (C. argi) that died of an undetected internal bacterial infection that was found in a necropsy. He was spawning with his group of females until the very day he died. I don't think the tangs need to be in perfect no stress condition to spawn, and determining tank size from this might be going too far.

Still, it is extremely cool that these tangs have spawned in captivity, especially in only 2 feet of depth.

 

[velvetelvis]

I disagree that a spawning fish is always a healthy one. I had a cherub angelfish (C. argi) that died of an undetected internal bacterial infection that was found in a necropsy. He was spawning with his group of females until the very day he died. I don't think the tangs need to be in perfect no stress condition to spawn, and determining tank size from this might be going too far.

Still, it is extremely cool that these tangs have spawned in captivity, especially in only 2 feet of depth.

I agree. I also think that as fishkeepers we have a certain moral obligation to the animals under our care, who are totally powerless and completely dependent on us for their very survival, to provide optimal conditions, not just adequate ones. It's like keeping a betta in an unheated, cup-sized bare container...sure, he may survive, but put that same listless, sluggish little fish in a heated 3- or 5-gallon tank with a few plants and a small filter, and he'll suddenly come alive. Existing isn't the same as thriving.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

That is great that blue regals spawned in captivity! I have been in the FW hobby and have spawned and raised several fish. I have raised platies, guppies, blue rams(considered difficult to care for, just needs effort not actually finicky), kribensis, and spawned corydoras and chery barbs on accident. The fish there had to be in tip top shape and conditioned properly to have success. I feel the same needs to be for SW fish, it's just that the ocean is much harder to replicate than FW habitats and the spawning unless it is now regular may have been a freak accident. The right mix of conditions must have occurred leading up to and at the time of spawning.

To the betta in a bowl comment. To get a betta to come alive, simply add a betta of the opposite sex to a bowl or tank next to it. Trust me, it works. I am in the process of readying myself for a spawn in a day or two...

 

[MrTuskfish]

Good discussion. But what one pair of fish, does once, in one tank really doesn't mean much. IMO

 

[Recty]

I'm with MrTuskfish, that's exactly what I thought of too.

One example does not a case make.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

You never know, the rest of us could be doing something wrong... There is a lack of majority on this, but you have to start somewhere. You also have to think that everyone may have different experiences with the exact same fish. Sure you could have it in your tank and it will be a model citizen. Then if you sell it, it could be a holy terror for the person that bought it from you.

 

[sslak]

I think this is more about the keeper than the fish.

I don't believe it would be appropriate for a beginner to think that was an acceptable stocking plan.

Once a reefkeeper spends enough time in the hobby, they can decide to bend/stretch/break the rules, and they know the risk involved in doing so. Sometimes people are successful where others have failed.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I think this is more about the keeper than the fish.

I don't believe it would be appropriate for a beginner to think that was an acceptable stocking plan.

Once a reefkeeper spends enough time in the hobby, they can decide to bend/stretch/break the rules, and they know the risk involved in doing so. Sometimes people are successful where others have failed.

In our hobby, there really aren't any "rules"; just shared experience, opinions, and common sense. I say it often; but someone, somewhere has done everything imaginable in our hobby with some success. (IMO, long-term success isn't always the same.) IMO & IME; Using common sense while researching,evaluating experiences and opinions is the only path to real long term satisfaction with this incredible hobby/addiction. Certainly not referring to anyone n particular; but trying to make the best decision or just looking to justify what you want are very different things. I still find myself doing both at times.