Tangs {and foxfaces} and cubes

[Elysia]

I was looking at one of the "show of your cube" threads, and noticed that quite a few of these tanks have tangs in them, despite being less than six feet in length. I know that a thread was started at one time about ocean swimmers.... What does anyone think about mimic tangs (Acanthurus pyroferus and A. tristis), Kole tangs (Ctenochaetus strigosus), and yellow and Scopas tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens and Z. scopas) being kept in three and four foot cubes? What about foxfaces?

 

[anbosu]

I think a 3 foot cube is pretty borderline, but a 4 foot cube should be fine for the tangs you listed. I don't know enough about foxfaces to comment on those.

 

[forddna]

I don't know, but I would think that an open aquascape, so that the fish could swim the entire perimeter, would be the key to success.

 

[jjk_reef00]

I wouldn't keep any larger tank in a 4' cube. Cole tang, yellow, purple, etc would be ok. Even lavender tang. I have a rabbit fish that is almost 8" and I would say he could easily be in a 4" cube.

 

[Elysia]

This is interesting -- thanks to everyone who replied. I've never owned a tang or rabbit before, but have often heard that they need a certain amount of linear space in which to swim. I think that Jay had a thread about this topic at one point. Anyway, I'm considering upgrading to a cube and did not know if I could consider a smaller tang/rabbit for the tank or not. Any other opinions are welcome. Thanks again.

 

[LisaD]

If you think of a 4 foot cube, and the swimming space along the diagonal, isn't that about 5.7 feet? (If I'm applying the Pythagorean theorem correctly - haven't had to think about that for a long time.)

I have seen a gorgeous, long term 8" mimic tang in a decent sized cube tank, and it was very happy. It didn't need the long runs that some other tangs seem to need. A moderate sized rabbit fish or foxface (less than 10") would also be fine in a 4' cube. My rabbit fish doesn't use the whole tank length of my 210, unlike the emperor angel of about the same length, who cruises the entire length.

 

[gtptom]

It really depends on the type of tang, the yellow/purple are find in 4' tanks, Naso types would be stressed in a 3/4' cube.

 

[Elysia]

Thanks LisaD! Now I know how I need to set up my live rock should I decide I want either a small tang or rabbitfish!

 

[LisaD]

You're welcome.

 

[forddna]

I know someone who used to have a 4' cube, 240g. He had the best of everything, and took great care of his tank. He kept an Achilles in there.