Tang in a 46
- Thread starter Ryand63
- Start date
S.A. Trev
New member
with tangs its got to do more with swimming space than totalwater volume so what is the length width and hight of your tank, also thats a pritty broad generalisation saying that tangs are your favorite as there are so many and some so different from another although there are a big group which are very simiral example would be a regal tang, lovely fish fairly peacefull towards other tanks mates then compared to the clown surgeon which is a devil of a fish and has caused many deaths of other tank mates by consistent bulling then you have the scopas ( brown ) tang kinda a jekkle and hide fish can be peacefull then instantly become very agro. So I would suggest you research the specific tang you like most and take it from there but my oppinion is that you should not keep a small tang in any aquarium shorter than 45 inches, Regal tangs seem to come in the smallest sizes of any tangs, I have seen them at 1 inch very often so they would be a good tang for asmaller tank but they do grow very quick and I doubt you would keep it more than 16months before having to put it in a bigger tank.
Trev
Trev
Well to be specific my favorite tang is the powder blue but I would never think to put one in my size tank. My tank is 36.5 inches long and about 12.5 deep. I was thinking posssssibly a kole tang, yellow or powder brown I heard don't need as much swimming room for some odd reason.
sterling18
WMAS and HVReef Member
I say go for it as long as you're willing to send him/her to a new home when it over grows your 46 bowfront.
Someone mentioned captive breed tangs don't grow as big as the wild caught. Not sure how much stock I would put into that but hey, do some research.
The common tangs in this hobby are a very cool looking group of fish.
Someone mentioned captive breed tangs don't grow as big as the wild caught. Not sure how much stock I would put into that but hey, do some research.
The common tangs in this hobby are a very cool looking group of fish.
returnofsid
New member
No. Tangs, all tangs, need much more swimming room than your tank can provide.
hanaumabay
New member
You can go with a tang that is very small, I've seen some tiny yellow tangs. But of course, once they grow bigger, be prepared to upgrade your tank. ;-)
Typlus5
Member
I had a Regal Blue Tang (1" when purchased 1 year ago) in a 72 bow front...felt so guilty after it grew to 4" I upgraded to a 150gl. All my fish look more content now, not only the Tang. I think it's about "free" swimming space more so than total water volume. I agree with most, 46 BF is too small to keep any tang for more than a couple months (like until you upgrade)
I had a sailfin tang in my 55 gallon for a year and a half but I also planned on upgrading he did really well until a couple months ago when I started noticing him frantically swimming back and fouth like he was upset but by that time I had the 180 almost ready for him now he's in the 180 and glides all over the tank he is a happy guy. I think if you dont plan to upgrade in the near future than maybe you should not have tangs.
Don't do it, it's just not fair to the fish. Maybe you'll upgrade to a bigger tank eventually, but maybe you won't have the space/resources and the fish will be in a tank that's way to small for him. I'm a big fan of tangs too, and my wife really loves the hippo tang's look & personality, but there's no way I'm putting one in my 65g reef, it just wouldn't be right.
There will always be a tang out there if you get the right size tank for it. I say wait until you upgrade, then get the tang.
There will always be a tang out there if you get the right size tank for it. I say wait until you upgrade, then get the tang.
returnofsid
New member
Several people have suggested putting a small Tang in your tank, and re-homing it, or upgrading, when the Tang grows larger. The issue isn't about the size of the Tang. The issue is that Tangs need LOTS of swimming room. They're "sprinters." They need enough room to build up some speed.
