Will this Bristletooth Tang be ok in 60g tank?

[ps2cho]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+334&pcatid=334

It says 70g and the regular blue tangs say 120g, so it must require less space, but I want to check!

My tank will be a 30x31x15.

Any chance or no?

 

[spieszak]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18043428

Generally, the smallest tank length recommended for any tang is 4ft, so I'd be hesitant to try any in a something less than 3 feet. They need 'long glide' swimming room more than water volume.

 

[Marshall O]

Hmmm, 30" length and 31" width is a tricky one. As mentioned, 4' length is the rule of thumb for the smaller Bristletooth Tangs. The width is obviously great being as wide as it is (that is assuming that is the width and not the height). Could you confirm the width/height?

 

[reeferstace]

Smallest of tangs still needs a 4' tank.

 

[ps2cho]

Yep, it is a custom 30x31x15 (60g) shallow reef tank I have on order from Oceans by Design.

I know the width is not 4ft, but I am wondering if the width and depth make up for it, or if the tang would be too unhappy?

 

[DopeCantWin]

Yep, it is a custom 30x31x15 (60g) shallow reef tank I have on order from Oceans by Design.

I know the width is not 4ft, but I am wondering if the width and depth make up for it, or if the tang would be too unhappy?

Remember that 70 gallons and 4' is minimum, not what will make this fish happy.

 

[Politiceaux]

Yep, it is a custom 30x31x15 (60g) shallow reef tank I have on order from Oceans by Design.

I know the width is not 4ft, but I am wondering if the width and depth make up for it, or if the tang would be too unhappy?

I don't think that 2 1/2 feet will work for something that needs a minimum of four. Length is much more important than water volume.

 

[ps2cho]

What size are they typically when young, and how long til they become full size 6" ?

I'm doing more research and others are saying that the Kole and Tomini tangs do not require 4ft like the yellow and blue tangs. (which I already knew were no possibility at all). I wonder if I could keep it while its a juvenile and upgrade or trade it in 2 years if it isn't full sized by 2 years old.

 

[chipchip]

I wouldnt keep them in a 2 1/2 feet tank. I think they are getting aggressive when they do not have their room to swim. They swim alot and thats what makes them happy..

This fish will be unhappy in such a tank imo.

 

[fishNcars]

There is one in the frag tank at the Petco by me, and the tank is about that size and he's been doing fine. He is also on the smaller side, so you could probably do what you mentioned up above.

Then again it is Petco, and we know how some people feel about that...

 

[Politiceaux]

What size are they typically when young, and how long til they become full size 6" ?

I'm doing more research and others are saying that the Kole and Tomini tangs do not require 4ft like the yellow and blue tangs. (which I already knew were no possibility at all). I wonder if I could keep it while its a juvenile and upgrade or trade it in 2 years if it isn't full sized by 2 years old.

I can't imagine any Kole or Tomini being happy in less than four feet. As far as yellow and blues are concerned - yellows need at least five feet but six is far preferable. Blues are a different scenario entirely; they become quite aggressive in less than eight feet (and sometimes even that isn't enough to cure it).

Two and a half feet just isn't going to work for much time at all.

 

[syrinx]

try it and see. The advice here is sound, and made with the best of intentions. However I have seen many, if not hundreds of tangs in a different situation than they suggest that have been living happily for longer than any poster here has been a member. If the fish does not acclimate, feed well, acts stressed or is overly aggressive- you know the individual is not suited for your situation.

 

[Rea17]

try it and see. The advice here is sound, and made with the best of intentions. However I have seen many, if not hundreds of tangs in a different situation than they suggest that have been living happily for longer than any poster here has been a member. If the fish does not acclimate, feed well, acts stressed or is overly aggressive- you know the individual is not suited for your situation.

It isn't fair to set the fish up for failure. I don't know why it's so difficult for people to choose fish that are suited for the tank that they have. If the OP wants a tang that bad, he should have gone with a system that could actually house one reliably. Putting a fish in a bad situation because it is more convenient for the aquarist is just irresponsible.

 

[jorda9095]

i'd say no. you could definitely do it. but it would be similar to getting a large energetic dog when you live in an apartment in the city. who can really gauge the fish's happiness if there arent any signs of stress? are fish even capable of these complex emotions? all things to ponder about. when it comes down to it, its your tank, your fish, your money, and you have to make the executive decision.

 

[Marshall O]

try it and see. The advice here is sound, and made with the best of intentions. However I have seen many, if not hundreds of tangs in a different situation than they suggest that have been living happily for longer than any poster here has been a member. If the fish does not acclimate, feed well, acts stressed or is overly aggressive- you know the individual is not suited for your situation.

The problem with this is how many actually introduce full grown tangs into their tank? Almost always they are juveniles and so, just fine in the smaller tank. But once full grown, it is a different story...

 

[syrinx]

The problem with this is how many actually introduce full grown tangs into their tank? Almost always they are juveniles and so, just fine in the smaller tank. But once full grown, it is a different story...

I am well aware of this. However one need only spend a few minutes looking throughout this site to see that many of the people here change and upgrade tanks quite frequently. People also have fish loss more times than not before the fish reaches its adult maturity. I prefer to operate by giving the best advice available, and did so. While I agreed with the general attitude of the other posters on tank size- I also know that people do what they want to do some times. That is why I included things to look out for to tell the OP if things were not going well. I find that to be more comprehensive than just saying- no do not do it. The fact of the matter is and remains, that the percentage of aquarists that are here on this site to give advice is tiny compared to the outright number of aquarists in the hobby. And many of those people are much more successful with keeping fish-even though they do not know they are doing it wrong.