Tang in 55 gallon

[okinawafish]

Hey everyone,

I have been reading about the beloved Hippo Tang and how much room they need in a tank. It has become apparent that I will not be able to responsibly keep a hippo tang but it would really thrill my two year old son to see "Dory" in daddy's fish tank. So here is the million dollar question: Does anyone know of a somewhat similarly colored/shaped fish that I could trick my son with? Any suggestions would be great.

Josh

P.S. By the way I am not some band wagon reef tank newbie who saw Little Nemo and wants those fish...my son on the other hand

 

[Pandora]

That's a really interesting question. There are few fish that have that distinctive pattern & shape of the hippo, and if the 55 is too small for that species, same goes for other tangs. Suppose you *could* get some blue damsel with a yellow tail (lots out to choose from, blue devil, sunshine/yellow tail, blue&gold, etc) and try to say it is "Dory's cousin", and explain that Dory is too big to keep in that size tank, but why not just use it as an opportunity to teach your kid why not all fish are good for the tank? I know he's only 5, but you'd be surprised how fast they pick up on stuff, and if you told him another fish was Dory, some would figure it out sooner or later.

 

[billsreef]

Based on the reactions I see of very young kids, heck even adults, I'd say you could throw in a yellowtail damsel and a two year old would think it's dory Basically I've seen any and every blue fish in the shop called "dory" at one point :lol:

 

[Pandora]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6474699#post6474699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
Based on the reactions I see of very young kids, heck even adults, I'd say you could throw in a yellowtail damsel and a two year old would think it's dory Basically I've seen any and every blue fish in the shop called "dory" at one point :lol:

Bill, I gotta admit, when I get questions from grown adults [pointing at corals] "Are those plants ALIVE?", kinda makes me stop wondering why kids seem dumber these days.

 

[Buckeye ME]

"kids seem dumber these days."

Please tell me you're kidding.

 

[Pandora]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6475213#post6475213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Buckeye ME
"kids seem dumber these days."

Please tell me you're kidding.

Only half kidding... please tell me you didn't take offense to it? :lol:

 

[Buckeye ME]

I'm a little beyond kid stage now, even if I don't act like it.

 

[okinawafish]

I would love to try and educate my TWO year old about the difference between certain types of fish and why tangs are unable to be kept in a 55 gallon tank; however, I think he may miss the point. Thanks for the suggestion though!

As far as damsels go...don't most people regret putting them in their tank?

 

[Pandora]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6477319#post6477319 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by okinawafish
I would love to try and educate my TWO year old about the difference between certain types of fish and why tangs are unable to be kept in a 55 gallon tank; however, I think he may miss the point. Thanks for the suggestion though!

As far as damsels go...don't most people regret putting them in their tank?

Oops, another case of me reading too fast, dunno where I got that "5" from. With a 2 year old, could probably drop a can of tuna in there.... j/k

As far as damsels go, I think it kind of depends on what you're looking for, and somewhat the type of damsel. In general they have a reputation for being very greedy and some are a bit of a bully. I have one of those orange tailed damsels, and it is pretty meek. It's the maroon clown that beats up on him. He is greedy though.... but basically no regrets.

 

[cutsupremetrib]

why not decide to get a larger tank???? a very small regal blue could be kept for a short amount of time in a 55 ( i know tang police I know) but seriously how do people know if the fish is happy or not I'd say get as close to a baby as you can I have kept a yellow tang in my 65 for over two years and a orange shoulder in the same tank for over a year and i have no problems the people that are reefers in my area have even said my tangs look more active and healthy than those back home in their 240 gallon HEHE maybe if you got a pair of oscellaris clowns he wouldnt worry bout lil o'l dory


p.s. Im getting so fed up with this movie lol

 

[okinawafish]

In a perfect world cutsupremetrib...In a perfect world

 

[cutsupremetrib]

hey mine is perfect dont destroy my glory da****

 

[Fishfirst]

young pacific blue tangs have a low survival rate in aquariums... however I raised mine in a 55 from dime size to 2" (took 4 months) then I put him in the 125. They are extremely quick growers so I would probably suggest not getting it unless you've got someone with a larger tank to give it to. The blue yellow-tailed damsel is definately "dory" like, and I've seen several hundred people (grownups included) mistake it for dory. Plus, as an added bonus, the blue yellow tailed damsel is one of the least aggressive damsels out there.

 

[okinawafish]

Thanks for that info. It sounds like we have a winner

 

[George_Marine]

Well I think your daughter will be very dissapointed when she finds out she got a cat instead of a bunny. Its like us, if we want a specific fish from Hawaii even if thereÃ"šÃ‚´s others that are similar, it doesnÃ"šÃ‚´t matter we want the Hawaii fish.

Besides why not do what you have been suggested, buy the smallest Dory you can find and IÃ"šÃ‚´m sure it will do fine (I have a yellow tang in a 45g tank for 2 years now) and in a couple of months or years it would be a good excuse to move to a bigger tank! DonÃ"šÃ‚´t you think so?

 

[DrBDC]

You could put a Kole tang in the 55 with a smaller type fish or two. IMO. Maybe some blue and yellow paint? :lol:

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6496907#post6496907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by George_Marine
Well I think your daughter will be very dissapointed when she finds out she got a cat instead of a bunny. Its like us, if we want a specific fish from Hawaii even if thereÃ"šÃ‚´s others that are similar, it doesnÃ"šÃ‚´t matter we want the Hawaii fish.

Besides why not do what you have been suggested, buy the smallest Dory you can find and IÃ"šÃ‚´m sure it will do fine (I have a yellow tang in a 45g tank for 2 years now) and in a couple of months or years it would be a good excuse to move to a bigger tank! DonÃ"šÃ‚´t you think so?

I started out with 2 Clowns in a 20 gallon. My daughter, who at the time was 2, would have loved Dori too but I was not about to Put Dori in my 20...I upgraded to a 55 and still I told her the that Dori was too big and would not be happy...I upgraded to a 125 and I refused to put a fish that could get 1' in my tank....now that I have an 8' 240 gallon, I have Dori in qt.

I think getting a look-a-like is a much better idea. But I am sure a 2 year old is not going to be upset that they don't have Dori. They'll move on to the next thing of interest. Yes my 2 year old son loves our Dori, but he would rather play with his trains.
If you get your kid Dori cause she wants Dori, are you then gonna get a Puffer, Moorish Idol, and a Yellow Tang also...and why stop there, heck Bruce the Shark looks like fun
Teach a child when their very young to keep their pets responsibly ...maybe one day there will be no need for us 'Tang police'

 

[benson911]

I have a blue, yellow-tailed damsel in my tank and my wife calls it Dori. It is very good friends with the clown fish 99% of the time. That neurotic fish so resembles Dori.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I recd a yellow tail from someone breaking down a tank
I kinda like him. DIdn't think anything of it when I bought a Hippo & put him in the same tank - 6' 125g

Then I realized - same color markings - the YT would bully him a little - but not much
Damsel stayed the same size...Hippo grew in a matter of months
Gotta love payback says Mr Hippo

They do grow fast!

 

[okinawafish]

I am going to stick with the yellow tail damsel and I really appreciate all of your insights and opinions. My SON (not daughter) is going to love it.

I am a very easy going guy and one day I will teach my son the ethical dilemnas that responsible reefers face when stocking there tank but at 2 years old I'll opt for the bliss of ignorance and a child's innocense every time. Thanks again everyone!