Discussion - What are....

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Reefscape

Reefscape

All Gr8KarmaSF's fault....
MFK Member
Apr 2, 2007
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.....your perceptions on tank sizes for surgeonfish?

Why do you have the perceptions you do?

Do you base your tank size suggestions based on personal experience or do you take a more generalised approach, based on popular knowledge?

What effects do you think that placing a large fish, into a small environment, has on the fish's growth and health?
 
most tangs IMHO should be housed in as large a system as you can afford. Tangs range in sizes and appetites. tangs that i see housed in smaller systems are the commong regal, and yellow hawaiian. Although this is probably okay in 55 gallons or larger according to a lot of aquarist, i feel that they should be in larger. I from experience housed a yellow hawaiian in a 65 gallon, 36" x 18" x 24". He grew very little for that year. When i moved him into my new 120 he grew about an inch in a few months, with no change in diet. Large and more active tangs such as unicorn, powders, and achilles should be house in at least 6 foot tanks, with a volume of no less then 125 gallons. This is to compensate for there lenght, and the amount of swimming they will do in there lifetime.

The effects of large fish in small systems is clear, they dont grow to there potential putting a lot of strain on there internal organs. It has been said that fish that are stunted will die sooner then non stunted fish of the same species, and this is due to the fact that there internal organs will continue to grow even if the fish in appearance is not.
 
the very very very bare minimum I would personally put any tang in, would be a 65 gallon, that gives them 4 feet of swimming, and 18" width..

Im not a fan of the 55's because of the 12" width.
 
RyanR;2916802; said:
the very very very bare minimum I would personally put any tang in, would be a 65 gallon, that gives them 4 feet of swimming, and 18" width..

Im not a fan of the 55's because of the 12" width.
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When I upgraded from a 55 to a 75 I noticed dramatic changes in the tangs behavior... He seemed a lot happier.

The rule with all tanks and all fish should be bigger is better. If you can pay for it, and do the maintenance... make it bigger. Ive kept very happy tangs in my 75. Did lose one "Atlantic Blue" to hole in the head. One of the most beautiful fish Ive ever owned as well. :(
 
sweeTang21;2920498; said:
65 gallons are 3 feet long. If you had a 4' by 18" 65 gallon, it would only be 17" tall.
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I have two 48x18x18's on a stand.. there both 65s... ;)
 
sweeTang21;2920498; said:
65 gallons are 3 feet long. If you had a 4' by 18" 65 gallon, it would only be 17" tall.
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what do you mean "only"? lol
17 is fine for a height



75 is the min for the smallest tangs- IMHO.
koles, tominis, scopas, chistletooth, etc
90=75 in my eyes so the next size up would be a 125 which MOST other tangs can go into with a few exceptions
 
Now that were on the topic, do you think a 5 foot length is ok for my clown tang when I get it (125..) or should it be 180??

I know my predators are going into the 180 (im sure a 9+ inch clown tang needs the room, he looks cramped in a 4 foot tank).. but could a clown tang compete against 2 lions 3 triggers, a marine betta and a big moray!?
 
RyanR;2920844; said:
I have two 48x18x18's on a stand.. there both 65s... ;)
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sorry. didnt take in concideration of you location. our "standard" 65 is 3 feet that ive noticed. Are your 125 gallons 5 feet in lenght instead of 6 feet?
 
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