tank size for naso tang

luk81a

New member
I have a 5 inch naso tang in a 4 x 2 x 2 and have read that tank size stunts their growth? I love this fish. he or she has a really great relationship with me eating from my hand and would hate to give him/her up for adoption one day. Any opinions on that? Also what tangs would be suitable for that size tank? I have seen that kole tangs, mimics and powder blues dont grow as big as the others. Maybe yellow tang even.
 
It doesnt stunt their growth....but once they get too big for it, they may start to get agressive or they will become unhappy.

For a 4 ft 120 gallon tank, best bet is mostly bristletooth tangs and a yellow tang.
 
You could move to a 120g long, 6ft length will give the guy a little more horizontal swimming room. Kole Tangs, Yellow Tangs, Tomini Tang, any Ctenochaetus species would be fine in a 120g.
 
I had a pair in my 7' long, 3' tall, 2 1/2' wide 400 G tank. My male was 13" long. While you would think this is a big tank, it did seem a little small when I would watch them swim as they could never get up to full speed before reaching the other end of the tank and had to turn around. But they seemed happy and were about 8 years old when I lost them due to other reasons.

With this in mind, I'd say your already at max size, if not past, of the fish for that size tank. As others have said, a smaller tang like a yellow or something of similar size. I've seen Powder Blue's bigger than 5" so I'd pass on them. With that size tank, your very limited on a tang that will work in that tank and have swimming room.

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+1
My previous tank was a 10x2x2 with a naso and it seemed to small. He would just constantly swim from one end to the other all day long as if he were frustrated there wasn't enough room for him. Gave him away when I downgraded to my 180 but he was a great looking fish though.
 
my question would be why would you put a tang in such a small area ? 4 foot tank is way to small for any tang ..

That is why the original poster asked the question. Most of us have done things in this hobby that perhaps weren't optimum choices. The key is how we remedy them, and whether we learn from the choices we have made.
 
That is why the original poster asked the question. Most of us have done things in this hobby that perhaps weren't optimum choices. The key is how we remedy them, and whether we learn from the choices we have made.

Unfortunately, the question is almost always asked after the fish has been purchased. I agree that we have all done this at some point... and overstocked our tanks too. Ive thought about adding a blonde naso or vlamingi but they just get too big. I have a 600g tank and my 8" powder blue is the biggest fish that I'd want in there.
 
Would assume he means lituratus them being so popular. I have one in my 8' and they are a great fish. He paces the front of the glass literally doing laps up and down the tank (complete with the loop turn around at the koralia). Looks like an olympic swimmer at the pool doing the turnaround. I never understood why they have such large requirements for them until seeing this behavior. They do like more open water and room to swim.
I am far from the tang police and don't like that rude behavior but this might be a good point of leverage with the wife to get a larger tank
 
That is why the original poster asked the question. Most of us have done things in this hobby that perhaps weren't optimum choices. The key is how we remedy them, and whether we learn from the choices we have made.
This.

I've done my fair share of stupid stuff. The OP is trying to do the right thing here.
 
Would assume he means lituratus them being so popular. I have one in my 8' and they are a great fish. He paces the front of the glass literally doing laps up and down the tank (complete with the loop turn around at the koralia). Looks like an olympic swimmer at the pool doing the turnaround. I never understood why they have such large requirements for them until seeing this behavior. They do like more open water and room to swim.
I am far from the tang police and don't like that rude behavior but this might be a good point of leverage with the wife to get a larger tank

A larger tank is the right answer. Probably doubling your tank at a minimum (8') and larger would be much better. Something along the lines of an 8', 400 gallon tank.
 
Unfortunately, the question is almost always asked after the fish has been purchased. I agree that we have all done this at some point... and overstocked our tanks too. Ive thought about adding a blonde naso or vlamingi but they just get too big. I have a 600g tank and my 8" powder blue is the biggest fish that I'd want in there.

smh... Isn't this the reason to have monster tanks? :hmm5:
 
smh... Isn't this the reason to have monster tanks? :hmm5:

I used to pack my tanks with as many fish as I could but as Ive gotten older Ive realized that the fish do better with more room and I dont like the look of a crowded tank. IMO the big tangs should be in a tank that is at least 10'x3'.
 
My tank is 260x100x80 cm and I have only one big fish, a naso elegans. And to be honest this tank is actually too small for this fish.

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But where can you find another reefer with an even larger tank who has room for a big guy like this? If I ever re home him I'd have to give him to a zoo or something.
 
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