Tang in a 65 gallon

[ForeverNoob]

I know that most tangs get too large for a 65 gallon aquarium, but was wondering what breeds might fit and be happy and healthy for the long term? I have seen many vendors with varying information, for instance:

40+ gallon, http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Live-Aquarium-Saltwater-Fish/I/Yellow-Tang.aspx

100 gallon, http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+392&pcatid=392

Is it generally frowned upon to keep a small tang until it reaches a point where it is too large for the tank and selling it?

 

[MondoBongo]

it is very difficult to rehome fish in to suitable conditions. there aren't a lot of people out there with tank sizes that can accommodate most tangs, and those that do are likely not willing to take on your unwanted fish.

selling or trading them back to the lfs can easily end up with another person purchasing them and sticking them in far too small a tank.

better to just not get them to begin with.

for what it's worth, live aquaria has better recommendations that most of tank sizes, but i feel that even theirs are smaller than i would generally go.

 

[fairl80z]

I have a juvenile square tail bristle tooth tang in my 65 gallon . He's is doing great

 

[snorvich]

it is very difficult to rehome fish in to suitable conditions. there aren't a lot of people out there with tank sizes that can accommodate most tangs, and those that do are likely not willing to take on your unwanted fish.

selling or trading them back to the lfs can easily end up with another person purchasing them and sticking them in far too small a tank.

better to just not get them to begin with.

for what it's worth, live aquaria has better recommendations that most of tank sizes, but i feel that even theirs are smaller than i would generally go.

I totally agree.

 

[snorvich]

I have a juvenile square tail bristle tooth tang in my 65 gallon . He's is doing great

Which does not make it a good idea.

 

[fairl80z]

Which does not make it a good idea.

It only requires a 70 gallon tank? With minimal aquascaping ( which I have) the tang will be perfectly happy it's whole life

 

[WiDataTech]

I don't think the issue is water capacity, it's length of tank to swim.

 

[MondoBongo]

So I know a lot of times these things seem like arbitrary decisions, and to an extent they are. This hobby has some unique moral considerations to say the least.

Because of that, I feel that a certain level of self policing and consensus on certain aspects of husbandry is an essential component to helping ensure that this hobby does endure, and endures in such a way that minimizes as many of the bad aspects of it as possible.

That's why these kinds of questions and the advice given in them are important to me.

 

[sde1500]

It only requires a 70 gallon tank? With minimal aquascaping ( which I have) the tang will be perfectly happy it's whole life

Bold statement. You could live in the minimum size house your while life too. Why shoot for bare minimum. Or in your case less than the minimum.

I have a 65, wouldn't do a tang. Too small, they get big and the big ones I seen motor around their tank.

 

[ThRoewer]

Bold statement. You could live in the minimum size house your while life too. ....

Nah, waste of space!. 8'x6' is the minimum requirement for a prison cell - that will do just fine for housing a human being... maybe even 2 or 3 if you stack the beds.

 

[fairl80z]

Bold statement. You could live in the minimum size house your while life too. Why shoot for bare minimum. Or in your case less than the minimum.

I have a 65, wouldn't do a tang. Too small, they get big and the big ones I seen motor around their tank.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/totm/index.php
Nuff said

 

[ForeverNoob]

Thanks for the input everyone! I still have some time before I will stock the tank, so I will keep researching and see what makes sense for my tank.

 

[CHSUB]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/totm/index.php
Nuff said

I think it comes down to opinion in this case. A 65 gallon is not that big and I can understand experienced reefers advising against adding a tang, however the visceral diatribe of some is quite apocryphal and leads to a lack of credibility. I think few could argue with Copps and Scott Michael. (who has 75 g as minimum)

 

[T Haynes]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/totm/index.php
Nuff said

It looking good doesn't mean it isn't overstocked. Who's to say that tank is still compatible. It's grossly over populated imo

 

[ForeverNoob]

I think I will forgo a tang. Thanks again for the input everyone.

 

[kmbyrnes]

Congrats on making a humane decision. There are many beautiful fish suited to your tank.
Enjoy them. If you later decide you want fish that require more space, you can upgrade. The good folks of RC will help you make the right choices. They have been there/done that and can help you avoid trouble.