Yellow tang

[Swimfins]

I'm taking a yellow tang from someone who has to give this fish away. (beautiful specimen) My tank is 65g. I know 75g is minimum for tang but does 10g make a difference.
If it doesn't work out, the tang will be given to LFS in trade. What's your thoughts? :idea2:

[kobeSumo]

I think you should keep the tang, since good yellow tang specimens are hard to come by in shops. If it doesn't work out, you can always bring it to the LFS. What other inhabitants are in your tank?

[SteveD]

I'm taking a yellow tang from someone who has to give this fish away. (beautiful specimen) My tank is 65g. I know 75g is minimum for tang but does 10g make a difference.
If it doesn't work out, the tang will be given to LFS in trade. What's your thoughts? :idea2:


I had one in a 55g then moved it to a 125g, then to a 280g. It finally looks happy. Tangs occupy many yards of turf on the reef. For the long term a 65g or 75g is too small. Not to say that people don't keep them in those tanks but I would say 125 is the bare bones minimum.

[mysis]

I agree, temporary it's ok, long term a big no. it will make a a nuisance of itself, if the tank is too small, and will get quite territorial, Before you put it in the tank, make sure you have nothing else the same colour, otherwise you might have war. other than that, feed it a good diet, and it will be fine, short term.

[Swimfins]

I know in natue they swim all day covering large territories (in schools). On the other hand one alone might be ok. I have nothing resembling a tang or another yellow fish: 5 inch argus wrasse, full grown, (hawaii) lawnmower blenny, and 2 tomato clowns and 1 coral banded shrimp. (hermits and a few snails)
I think I'll try and see. If it doesn't do well, I have other options for him.
Thanks so much for input.

[jessie]

i think the yellow will be ok, as long as there are no compatability issues with the other fish, i dont know what an argus wrasse is. i have seen yellows in 55 gallon tanks that were extremely healthy looking. as far as happiness goes for tangs, i dont think any fish is REALLY happy out of the ocean. i love tangs and i have several, i think as long as the fish stays healthy, thats all we can really do. good luck.

[Swimfins]

Thank you Jessie. I really would like to keep this fish!
I like that he is an open swimmer and is all over the tank. He's less afraid and doesn't hide so much when i aproach. He looks happy and appears at home in my tank now. (I guess as happy as a schooling fish can be without mates.) I'd love a few of these guys in a large tank.
I don't plan to add more rock so as to keep alot of swimming area and wait awhile and see.

[mrsdorothy]

I hope it works out for you Swims. I also want an Hawaiian yellow tang for my tank, but heard that it would not be long enough. If it works out for you, I just might try one.

[mysis]

Please i ask you not to buy the tang, i cannot stress enough that the tank is simpley not big enough, yes you may see tang in LFS in 20 gallon tank, or others at a mates house in 55 gallon tanks, but a full grown mature Yellow Tang will not survive in these conditions. The minimum for any tang is 75 gallons, even then it is pushing the limit, as the tank would have to have limited rock to provide ample swimming space, seriously consider upgrading the aquarium to something like a 90 gallon, or i would suggest trading/selling the Yellow tang. I am not trying to be mean or anything, but keeping a Full grown YT in a 65 gallon is not good. :)

:)

[jessie]

the lfs i usually visit is called inland aquatics. it is a very reputable store, and i have seen yellow tangs live in 55s there in displays for several years. they have 35000 gallons of saltwater tanks. i think, again its my personal opinion, that a yellow would do ok.

i would also like to applaud you mysis, i think that far to often fish/tank compatability issues with tangs grow out of hand and become flames very quickly. its nice to be able to have a discussion about conflicting opinions/facts without it turning ugly.

[Swimfins]

I Can name many sites that sell fish including vivid aquariums.com (one sponsor of reefcentral) and also live aquaria that suggest minimum size 50g. (and several others that suggest 50g minimum)
I know bigger is always better and might consider upgrading in the future.
I appreciate that mysis is not jumping down my throat at this.
When I see reputable sites saying 50g minimum, I did take it for face value.
I still am unsure, because alot of folks have told me he'll be just fine providing I do not introduce any more fish into the tank snd he remains the 'alpha' fish and I keep wate quality high.
So far its going well and he appears happy. If this changes, I'll do what's best for him.

[mysis]

Ok, yes the tang will be able to live, but i am sure it will not be at it's finest, to ensure good health, feed a varied diet with loads of vegetable matter in it, if you don't feed enough vegies to the tang, it can cause parasites, that look like red blotches. other than that, don't introduce other fish after the tang, that have either have similar body shape, or similar colour. for example, if you wanted a flame angel, it would have to be added first, because the body is similar to that of a yellow tang. other than that it's pretty straight forward. :)

[Swimfins]

Thanks Mysis, I do appreciate the advice. I've considered calling my lfs and asking if they'll take him in trade, (I'm sure they'd jump at the chance and sell him at an astronomical price, pretty fish that he is!)
I'll give it awhile and see. He's taking formula one flake now and I've clipped some lettuce to a rock which he tugs at occasionally but likes to poke his noes in between the polyps for macroalgae that might be more tasty?
I'l get some nori from the Chinese food vendors (lucky I live in an ethnic neighborhood). :)

[mysis]

Just make sure no seasoning or any additives are added to the nori, or it could meen bye bye YT. you know what i mean :)

[Swimfins]

LOL ya I get it. Pure nori it is, no sushi!

[reefrash]

Two little fishes has some very good algae product in green red and brown. I vary the algae I give my tangs. Maybe you can get the tang and make a pact with all of us on AC that you will try to get a bigger tank ;)

[Swimfins]

Do you thnk ten more gallons of water (75) and a foot more swimming space will really make him all that much happier? I've been thru this a zillion times (sigh) and won't make any pact. Nope. Thanks anyway.

[mysis]

LOL, if you were going to get a bbigger tank, why would you go 10 gallons more? I'm hearing 8 footer!!! LOL

[FreddytheFish]

I'd say you could keep it in the 75 for life. You could probably go as small as a 55, but as you said, bigger is always better. :dive2:

[mysis]

Yeah, you can, but you will have aggression issues for sure.

[Swimfins]

If I larger could I would but I can't...sigh.
So, I'll go as is and if troubles arise I have other options. Someone will get a very nice fish! My tank is full as far as inhabitants go. He' the last in and seems to have a thing for my wrasse. My wrasse will poke at the rock and squeeze under narrow places for tidbits that lodge at the base of the rock. I saw my yellow tang squeeze his wide yellow butt (lying sideways under a rock and pass out the other side) just as the wrasse had just done. He's kooky!

BTW: Aquaria Central Marine Fish Guide has a 55g minimum reccomendation for yellow tang. Just fyi But I agree bigger is always bestest.