Tang input needed

[DopeCantWin]

What do you think about a large tang being just the single inhabitant of a tank. For example a 210 housing just a Clown Tang, most aggressive animal I've ever seen. I'm not doing it, but just throwing the idea out there.

 

[RayL]

I think the tank will be extremely boring to look at

 

[Marshall O]

IME, fish are much more comfortable when other fish are around. When they are the only fish in the tank, they will never feel comfortable and likely spend most of their day hiding. So longterm I don't think it would be good for the fish, and also as mentioned, boring to look at!

 

[snorvich]

IME, fish are much more comfortable when other fish are around. When they are the only fish in the tank, they will never feel comfortable and likely spend most of their day hiding. So longterm I don't think it would be good for the fish, and also as mentioned, boring to look at!

The fish under consideration does not like other fish, especially once it matures. I can see doing this with an undulated or clown trigger which are much prettier and much more interesting. They too, do not like other fish. So it would be a one fish tank.

 

[Marshall O]

The fish under consideration does not like other fish, especially once it matures. I can see doing this with an undulated or clown trigger which are much prettier and much more interesting. They too, do not like other fish. So it would be a one fish tank.

Understood on the aggressiveness of the Clown Tang (and the triggers you mentioned). I still think my point is valid as far as having only one fish in a tank, regardless if it is extremely aggressive or not. It is just not a natural environment for a reef fish.

 

[CedzAquAddictio]

The only thing I can think of is throwing a couple of butthole damsels in there with it. They are too quick to get caught by the tang's weaponry and can hide in smaller spots of the rock where the tang couldn't get to them...

Also: Them being smaller fish, the tang may not even bother with them. I've seen damsels comfortably live with creatures that no other fish could survive with. Just a thought...

Just remember that if you have a clown tang and damsels in the tank, you will definitely not be able to add anything down the line...

 

[DopeCantWin]

The only thing I can think of is throwing a couple of butthole damsels in there with it. They are too quick to get caught by the tang's weaponry and can hide in smaller spots of the rock where the tang couldn't get to them...

Also: Them being smaller fish, the tang may not even bother with them. I've seen damsels comfortably live with creatures that no other fish could survive with. Just a thought...

Just remember that if you have a clown tang and damsels in the tank, you will definitely not be able to add anything down the line...

If I had a Clown Tang in a tank, I would be afraid to put my hand in there, much less a fish.

But what's interesting is nobody has yet mentioned that the Clown Tang is too big for a 210. Leading me to still be very confused about the stated minimums.

 

[RayL]

But what's interesting is nobody has yet mentioned that the Clown Tang is too big for a 210. Leading me to still be very confused about the stated minimums.

Thats because in your original post, you said, for example would one fish be okay in a tank. You didnt ask about a clown tang fiiting in the tank. I interpreted the post as, would a fish be okay by himself in a tank, not if the clown tang is suitable for a 220

 

[snorvich]

If I had a Clown Tang in a tank, I would be afraid to put my hand in there, much less a fish.

But what's interesting is nobody has yet mentioned that the Clown Tang is too big for a 210. Leading me to still be very confused about the stated minimums.

Well you did not ask that question. Size of the fish is not really the (only) issue on the Reef Central suggested tank minimums, it is behavior and territorial imperative. Is your purpose to question the Reef Central Suggested tank minimums? An acquaintance had one in a 1000 gallon tank and it did work out but I personally would not go down to the Reef Central Minimum for this particular fish.

 

[snorvich]

Thats because in your original post, you said, for example would one fish be okay in a tank. You didnt ask about a clown tang fiiting in the tank. I interpreted the post as, would a fish be okay by himself in a tank, not if the clown tang is suitable for a 220

You type faster than I.

 

[DopeCantWin]

Well you did not ask that question. Size of the fish is not really the (only) issue on the Reef Central suggested tank minimums, it is behavior and territorial imperative. Is your purpose to question the Reef Central Suggested tank minimums? An acquaintance had one in a 1000 gallon tank and it did work out but I personally would not go down to the Reef Central Minimum for this particular fish.

When has someone not asking that question ever really stopped people?

But actually that was the point of the question, not whether if it would do well alone, but whether you could have it in a smaller tank since it was alone. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[ca1ore]

Although I have never kept a clown tang personally (Sohal, yes; Clown, no), a friend of mine had one in an 8ft tank and it ended up as the only fish in the tank. I swear it was daring me to put my hand in the tank :lol: Was about 11 inches and too big IMO even for an 8ft tank.

 

[DopeCantWin]

Although I have never kept a clown tang personally (Sohal, yes; Clown, no), a friend of mine had one in an 8ft tank and it ended up as the only fish in the tank. I swear it was daring me to put my hand in the tank :lol: Was about 11 inches and too big IMO even for an 8ft tank.

Yep, I picked that specific fish for that very reason. Of all the fish that should be alone, that one is right at the top.

 

[snorvich]

When has someone not asking that question ever really stopped people?

But actually that was the point of the question, not whether if it would do well alone, but whether you could have it in a smaller tank since it was alone. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.

In the sized tank you were putting up as a straw man, that fish, because of its high activity level, would "pace" the front of the tank. That would drive most people crazy quickly (it would me) but perhaps not you. For tangs, especially, length of the tank is the most important dimension.

 

[DopeCantWin]

In the sized tank you were putting up as a straw man, that fish, because of its high activity level, would "pace" the front of the tank. That would drive most people crazy quickly (it would me) but perhaps not you. For tangs, especially, length of the tank is the most important dimension.

I agree, there would be quite some pacing. Check out



How big would you say that tank is?

I don't agree with you that I was setting up a strawman. I wasn't trying to catch anyone. I was just pondering the minimums. It was more curiosity and trying to understand from those with more experience than anything else.

I personally think Clown Tangs, along with Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasses, should definitely be left in the ocean.

 

[snorvich]

It looks to be an 8 foot tank and the fish is only about 8-10 inches (guess). He has reached the kill anything coming into the tank stage, however. Still, the pacing makes me nuts. I sure would not want it in my tanks (and mine are 8 footers).

 

[dppitone]

I've had several clown tangs, and had them mixed with other tangs. The only problem we experienced was one of the clown tangs bullied a hippo that was his same size. The other clown tangs didn't bully anyone. You can't know personalities, you just have to try.

That said, your question was about the clown tang being by himself in a large tank. We've never done that with a tang so it's hard to know.

I agree with the comment about adding damsels. We keep damsels in all of our tanks, it's standard practice with fish you think may be aggressive.

The minimum tank size recommendations are arbitrary. You will learn if the tank is too small only if you give it a try. My guess is that's it's fine.

 

[Peter Eichler]

I've had several clown tangs, and had them mixed with other tangs. The only problem we experienced was one of the clown tangs bullied a hippo that was his same size. The other clown tangs didn't bully anyone. You can't know personalities, you just have to try.

That said, your question was about the clown tang being by himself in a large tank. We've never done that with a tang so it's hard to know.

I agree with the comment about adding damsels. We keep damsels in all of our tanks, it's standard practice with fish you think may be aggressive.

The minimum tank size recommendations are arbitrary. You will learn if the tank is too small only if you give it a try. My guess is that's it's fine.

Several clown tangs? Had?

It's one of my favorite fish appearance wise, but they simply don't work out in aquaria long-term and are best left in the ocean. Find me a single person here that has a tank under several hundred gallons that has been able to keep one without it becoming an absolute terror after a year or two.

 

[DopeCantWin]

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[SDguy]

I just couldn't justify the cost and space of having a large single specimen tank. I'd pick something smaller, like an angler or leaf fish or something like that.