yellow tang tank size

[commodore]

I realize that yellow tangs need larger tanks to accommodate the size they will attain. Is it a reasonable strategy to put a small yellow tang in a 60 gal tank (3' long), with the plan to trade it back to the LFS before it outgrows the tank?

 

[cubsFAN]

3foot tank won't really cut it. you'll here different opinions, but the common rc thought is that all tangs require at least a 4foot tank of 75+gallons. this should spark a fierce debate that rages here everday. check out the "what tang for my ##gallon" thread at the top of the page. imo your plan is ok, but more trouble than it's worth. I'd go for some sort of dwarf angel.

 

[IFbettas]

I would never keep a yellow tang in a tank smaller than 90 gallons, if that. In fact, I feel that my 180 is too small to keep one long term. I have one in it, and he uses up the entire tank every couple minutes.

 

[palmer373]

i think it is best on the fish (stress wise and the alike) to plan accordingly to keep a fish forever but IMO you can get a small one and when you feel it is too cramped for the fish, trade it in or give it to a friend.

 

[anbosu]

I had one in my 90 before my disastrous move a few weeks ago and it was fine, but I wouldn't go smaller than that. It was the dominant fish in my tank without any real threats for dominance.

 

[reefluv]

I will be getting around a 100-110 and would like to get a yellow tang and maybe one other or the smaller tangs. With your 90 did you have any other tangs?

 

[velvetelvis]

I can understand the temptation, but IMO it's best to buy only fish that will fit into your system comfortably once they're full-grown. Lots of people never get around to acquiring the bigger tank they've meant to size up to; and you can't always count on your LFS being willing or even able to take on unwanted fish (if nothing else, they might not be around--at least three stores in my area have succumbed to the bad economy in the last two years).

 

[anbosu]

I will be getting around a 100-110 and would like to get a yellow tang and maybe one other or the smaller tangs. With your 90 did you have any other tangs?

I had a mimic tang as well. The yellow like I said earlier was the dominant fish and was probably 5" while the mimic was around 3".

 

[jbud2418]

All tangs need lot's of swimming room to be happy.