yellow tangs

ronniebl · 01/09/2015, 12:34 PM

how many people have yellow tangs in a 40 gal are less tanks and any problems killing other fish

igot2gats · 01/09/2015, 12:42 PM

Yellow Tangs shouldn't be in a 40g or less. And if the YT is harassing others / killing them, it's because they're in a tank that's too small, and they're stressed.

airtime23 · 01/09/2015, 12:44 PM

You should not have a yellow tang (or any tang, for that matter) in a 40 gallon tank.

100 gallons is the minimum recommended size.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1946007

Sk8r · 01/09/2015, 12:52 PM

You are right to ask: a fish that feels cramped will start lowering the fish population, and fish like rabbits, damsels, and tangs are armed and very capable of killing. It's not so much about physical size, but about territorial demand.

For a 40 gallon, look at a single chromis, colorful basslets like the royal gramma , gobies (not the so-called mandarin goby, which is not a goby at all)---blennies (the tailspot and starry can get along well) dartfish like the firefish, etc and the pearly jawfish,

MondoBongo · 01/09/2015, 12:55 PM

my YT is in a 75 gallon, and he has had aggression issues. i'm hoping my impending upgrade to my 150 helps it out, but he has not been a happy camper as he grows.

that was a newbie mistake that i wish i could take back.

ronniebl · 01/09/2015, 01:07 PM

thanks for the advise i have always had 75 gal in the past l got back into it again and decided to get a c130 red sea max and try these again be out awhile things have change alot and i realy like these tank its small but i think its easy to take care of

Spiderman097 · 01/09/2015, 01:22 PM

Tangs are very suspecitble to get illnesses due to stress. And anything under 100g will stress them out

Timfish · 01/09/2015, 06:13 PM

Ronniebl, looks like you got a thorough introduction to the tang police. Among other things to be successful you will need to recognize aggressive and skittish behaviour in your fish. Skittish behaviour can be caused by a fish not acclimating to a small tank but it can also be indicative of a fish not acclimated to having humans around (it's a good idea to socialize your fish by hand feeding them), it's being bullied by a more aggressive (not necessarily larger) tank mate, it's has a medical issue or it's scared of your cats.

Aggressive behavior may take years before it is displayed. Many of our fish are juviniles when we get them and as they mature, which in the case of tangs can be 5 - 7 years, you may see fish that have lived together in peace for years decide they can't stand each other.

When you also take into consideration many of our fish will live decades it is almost a certainty you will need to be ready to rehome your fish, sometimes on very short notice. Scott Micheal in his book "500 Mairne Fish" points out that juveniles can be kept in smaller tanks than is required for adults and I have no issue with this, after all, you are also being trusted to feed them. I do encourage you to research your fish selections and resist spontaneous purchases and network with local aquarists to help learn some of the nuances in recognizing fish behaviour

jason2459 · 01/09/2015, 07:13 PM

Why is it when people suggest someone not put in a particular fish due to size, aggression, or other special needs that's not a tang everyone is Ok with that suggestion. But as soon as that fish is a tang, which is a bigger to very large fish with special needs, its not Ok and all caution is thrown out the window.

Would it be Ok to place a scribbled angelfish in a 40? I would say no and I would imagine no one would slander me for that. But if anyone says no don't put that tang in there as it will get to big, aggressive, and has some special needs like at least a little more swimming room they get slanderous attacks against them.

gone fishin · 01/09/2015, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

Why is it when people suggest someone not put in a particular fish due to size, aggression, or other special needs that's not a tang everyone is Ok with that suggestion. But as soon as that fish is a tang, which is a bigger to very large fish with special needs, its not Ok and all caution is thrown out the window.

Would it be Ok to place a scribbled angelfish in a 40? I would say no and I would imagine no one would slander me for that. But if anyone says no don't put that tang in there as it will get to big, aggressive, and has some special needs like at least a little more swimming room they get slanderous attacks against them.

This is the main reason I stay out of these threads. Even when the OP asks an honest question the thread many times takes a bad turn. FWIW I hate the term tang police, we do not use the term tang abusers for a reason.

I will just say to the OP I would not personally keep a yellow tang in a 40g tank. My reasons are I look at the adult size of a fish. If I cannot house that fish in my current setup as an adult I will not purchase it. I may plan on upgrading the tank, a lot of times life gets in the way and it does not happen. I may plan on finding a new home for it, a lot of times it is difficult to rehome larger fish. I happen to find a new home for the fish and wreck my corals, rockwork trying to catch the fish. These are just a few of the reasons. When I have upgraded my tanks I have then purchased those fish I wanted previously. I wish you good luck with your tank and with whatever choice that you may make.

jason2459 · 01/09/2015, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

This is the main reason I stay out of these threads. Even when the OP asks an honest question the thread many times takes a bad turn. FWIW I hate the term tang police, we do not use the term tang abusers for a reason.

I will just say to the OP I would not personally keep a yellow tang in a 40g tank. My reasons are I look at the adult size of a fish. If I cannot house that fish in my current setup as an adult I will not purchase it. I may plan on upgrading the tank, a lot of times life gets in the way and it does not happen. I may plan on finding a new home for it, a lot of times it is difficult to rehome larger fish. I happen to find a new home for the fish and wreck my corals, rockwork trying to catch the fish. These are just a few of the reasons. When I have upgraded my tanks I have then purchased those fish I wanted previously. I wish you good luck with your tank and with whatever choice that you may make.

I hear you. I'm surprised that term is still bring spread around. I actually got an infraction for typing that term in a post replying to someone else saying it. I wasnt even calling anyone it. This was a few years ago.

I just don't under stand why someone thinks it's ok though either. And to me it's not just about the size of the fish either.

Here's another scenario for that 40 or less. Would it be ok to put in a six line wrasse, maroon clown, and a trio of fire fish? I would say no. Those fire fish would be toast either they or the other two should go. Should I be called names for that too?

gone fishin · 01/09/2015, 07:42 PM

I agree size is but one factor to consider. General aggressiveness, how active the fish is, how it behaves towards conspecifics are others.

ReefKeep66 · 01/09/2015, 08:17 PM

Bottom line, at the end of the day, it's your tank you can do whatever you want, and you might get a way with it for a little while but in end it just doesn't work out. If you rather not have to worry about things like this and post questions like this then just do what's best for the overall health of your tank and it's inhabitants. Stressed out fish aren't relaxing or enjoyable to watch. If you didn't already know the answer to the question you asked, good for you for asking before doing. Just a fyi, there's no long term success with just trying to get away with stuff.

airtime23 · 01/09/2015, 10:52 PM

Personally, I think that it's irresponsible to put any tang into that size tank. Same goes for an angelfish or a butterflyfish.

Ultimately, it's up to the reefer, free will and all...but I personally feel bad for the fish itself. People need to realize that they're putting their fish's health and the health of the overall tank, at risk. I feel a responsibility to provide the best home that I can for all of my animals.

Just my opinion.

Betta132 · 01/10/2015, 02:50 AM

A yellow tang will reach 8" long, if properly cared for. It will also be very active. If you're still considering one, I suggest you get a ruler and compare 8" to the length of that tank. It's comparable to a greyhound trapped in one room forever.

A fish that needs more space than it has will become stressed and aggressive. I had this happen with 1" emerald eye rasboras in a 29g tank. They started to tear into the fins of everything else, as well as acting incredibly hyper. I moved them to my 65g, and they're much calmer now. They're still rambunctious, but they don't attack things. You'd think a bunch of 1" fish would be fine in a 29g, and bio-load-wise they were, but they needed more space.

I'm just saying this for research purposes, if anybody ends up going over these kinds of threads. Active fish need bigger tanks than their bio-load alone mandates.

Tin Man · 01/10/2015, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airtime23

Personally, I think that it's irresponsible to put any tang into that size tank. Same goes for an angelfish or a butterflyfish.

Ultimately, it's up to the reefer, free will and all...but I personally feel bad for the fish itself. People need to realize that they're putting their fish's health and the health of the overall tank, at risk. I feel a responsibility to provide the best home that I can for all of my animals.

Just my opinion.

agreed. you can't hear a fish yelp or whimper like a stressed dog that you would never treat like that.

01/09/2015, 12:34 PM	#1
ronniebl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 12	yellow tangs how many people have yellow tangs in a 40 gal are less tanks and any problems killing other fish

01/09/2015, 12:42 PM	#2
igot2gats Deeeetroit Basketball! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,063	Yellow Tangs shouldn't be in a 40g or less. And if the YT is harassing others / killing them, it's because they're in a tank that's too small, and they're stressed. __________________ Jeff Stop being lazy, and use the search function. Seriously. Current Tank Info: 75g DT / 20g sump / 20g QT - Eheim 1250, Tunze Osmolator 3155, GHL Profilux 3, 2 Tunze 6095, Tunze Wavebox, Aqua Illumination Hydra LEDs

01/09/2015, 12:52 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	You are right to ask: a fish that feels cramped will start lowering the fish population, and fish like rabbits, damsels, and tangs are armed and very capable of killing. It's not so much about physical size, but about territorial demand. For a 40 gallon, look at a single chromis, colorful basslets like the royal gramma , gobies (not the so-called mandarin goby, which is not a goby at all)---blennies (the tailspot and starry can get along well) dartfish like the firefish, etc and the pearly jawfish, __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/09/2015, 12:55 PM	#5
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	my YT is in a 75 gallon, and he has had aggression issues. i'm hoping my impending upgrade to my 150 helps it out, but he has not been a happy camper as he grows. that was a newbie mistake that i wish i could take back. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

01/09/2015, 06:13 PM	#8
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	Ronniebl, looks like you got a thorough introduction to the tang police. Among other things to be successful you will need to recognize aggressive and skittish behaviour in your fish. Skittish behaviour can be caused by a fish not acclimating to a small tank but it can also be indicative of a fish not acclimated to having humans around (it's a good idea to socialize your fish by hand feeding them), it's being bullied by a more aggressive (not necessarily larger) tank mate, it's has a medical issue or it's scared of your cats. Aggressive behavior may take years before it is displayed. Many of our fish are juviniles when we get them and as they mature, which in the case of tangs can be 5 - 7 years, you may see fish that have lived together in peace for years decide they can't stand each other. When you also take into consideration many of our fish will live decades it is almost a certainty you will need to be ready to rehome your fish, sometimes on very short notice. Scott Micheal in his book "500 Mairne Fish" points out that juveniles can be kept in smaller tanks than is required for adults and I have no issue with this, after all, you are also being trusted to feed them. I do encourage you to research your fish selections and resist spontaneous purchases and network with local aquarists to help learn some of the nuances in recognizing fish behaviour __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

01/09/2015, 12:44 PM	#3
airtime23 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Charlotte Posts: 488	You should not have a yellow tang (or any tang, for that matter) in a 40 gallon tank. 100 gallons is the minimum recommended size. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1946007

01/09/2015, 01:07 PM	#6
ronniebl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 12	thanks for the advise i have always had 75 gal in the past l got back into it again and decided to get a c130 red sea max and try these again be out awhile things have change alot and i realy like these tank its small but i think its easy to take care of

01/09/2015, 01:22 PM	#7
Spiderman097 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 115	Tangs are very suspecitble to get illnesses due to stress. And anything under 100g will stress them out

01/09/2015, 07:13 PM	#9
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	Why is it when people suggest someone not put in a particular fish due to size, aggression, or other special needs that's not a tang everyone is Ok with that suggestion. But as soon as that fish is a tang, which is a bigger to very large fish with special needs, its not Ok and all caution is thrown out the window. Would it be Ok to place a scribbled angelfish in a 40? I would say no and I would imagine no one would slander me for that. But if anyone says no don't put that tang in there as it will get to big, aggressive, and has some special needs like at least a little more swimming room they get slanderous attacks against them. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

01/09/2015, 07:42 PM	#12
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I agree size is but one factor to consider. General aggressiveness, how active the fish is, how it behaves towards conspecifics are others. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

01/09/2015, 08:17 PM	#13
ReefKeep66 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: The great state of Georgia Posts: 549	Bottom line, at the end of the day, it's your tank you can do whatever you want, and you might get a way with it for a little while but in end it just doesn't work out. If you rather not have to worry about things like this and post questions like this then just do what's best for the overall health of your tank and it's inhabitants. Stressed out fish aren't relaxing or enjoyable to watch. If you didn't already know the answer to the question you asked, good for you for asking before doing. Just a fyi, there's no long term success with just trying to get away with stuff.

01/09/2015, 10:52 PM	#14
airtime23 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Charlotte Posts: 488	Personally, I think that it's irresponsible to put any tang into that size tank. Same goes for an angelfish or a butterflyfish. Ultimately, it's up to the reefer, free will and all...but I personally feel bad for the fish itself. People need to realize that they're putting their fish's health and the health of the overall tank, at risk. I feel a responsibility to provide the best home that I can for all of my animals. Just my opinion.

01/10/2015, 02:50 AM	#15
Betta132 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 2,239	A yellow tang will reach 8" long, if properly cared for. It will also be very active. If you're still considering one, I suggest you get a ruler and compare 8" to the length of that tank. It's comparable to a greyhound trapped in one room forever. A fish that needs more space than it has will become stressed and aggressive. I had this happen with 1" emerald eye rasboras in a 29g tank. They started to tear into the fins of everything else, as well as acting incredibly hyper. I moved them to my 65g, and they're much calmer now. They're still rambunctious, but they don't attack things. You'd think a bunch of 1" fish would be fine in a 29g, and bio-load-wise they were, but they needed more space. I'm just saying this for research purposes, if anybody ends up going over these kinds of threads. Active fish need bigger tanks than their bio-load alone mandates. __________________ When you put an animal of any kind in a situation where it can no longer fend for itself, such as an aquarium, it's your job to care for it to the best of your ability. It's that simple.