Too small?

[kurtsshotgun]

The thing is the reproduce quickly and like all Tangs they need very clean water. I just don't think a tank this size can provide what they need. They are difficult to sex so how could you be sure you got only 1 male?
I would say no but it seems you're going to do it anyway.

What makes you say that? Because I don't take a no and a probably without asking questions?

I'm not ignoring anything

I'm worried about bio load and behavioral issues, once they've been discussed I'll be able to make a more informed decision.

As for sexing, are you going by colours or size and behavior?

Because size and behavior can give a rough idea, then a little trial and error and you can be sure.

I'm not disregarding your comment about water quality as that's my main concern with this tank. The fry adding to it was actually a big concern.

Have you kept many? How many fry do they have per drop?

 

[Blue2Fyre]

Males and females look pretty much identical. You could most likely vent them but they are small so it might be hard. Males get larger than females but if buying younger fish it's going to be pretty difficult to tell. My multis were breeding and I could not tell at ALL which were male and which was female but I had fry. It's hard to tell how many fry they have per spawn since they stay in the shells so much.

 

[Ash]

I have 5 fry myself at the moment in a 3.5gal, however they are fry so they are still extremely small. I keep up on water changes also. I however wouldn't keep them in there once they get a little size on them they will be in the 20gal tank. I would be afraid to keep them at larger size in that small of a tank especially because of water quality... it makes me nervous now as it is, but its the only large spare tank I have for them otherwise they are fish food. IMO you will need to do lots of water changes. I personally would advise you not to do it.

 

[KCLAMBERT]

I take it this 3 gallon tank will have some sort of external filter right? There is an old adage regarding tank size and fish...1 inch of fish per gallon of water. This however does not always work and IMO never works in the opposite direction. That is to say that fish need more. Will they live? Probably as long as water quality is good. But hey, we could live in an 8X10 cell for life...would we be happy though? I'm betting not really. These small tanks aren't really good for any fish other than maybe a betta.

In other words...I would say go larger.

 

[kurtsshotgun]

Thanks for the input, I've decided the bioload might be just too much.

Will they live? Probably as long as water quality is good. But hey, we could live in an 8X10 cell for life...would we be happy though? I'm betting not really. These small tanks aren't really good for any fish other than maybe a betta.

Just for the record. The reason I was asking about multis is because they are small and don't seem to require lots of room. I'm a big supporter of swimming space, for fish who want it and wouldn't keep a fish in a small tank if it was stressed.