Tangs and other fish advice

HidingReefer · 08/30/2015, 03:06 PM

Hey guys
I currently have a 90g reef thats about 3 months old. I think its ready for tangs. In my local area some guy is selling a baby vlamengi tang for a pretty cheap price, I know these things get huge, but is there a slight chance I could keep one in my 90 for at least a year? And if not the vlamengi, perhaps a Clown Tang. The clown tang has been one of my dream fish for a long time, and like the vlamengi, maybe I can keep the clown in my tank for at least a year? Any other suggestions for tangs? Im already planning on keeping a yellow, no doubt on that. Lastly, my LFS sells beautiful flagfin angels for a cheap price, 25 bucks! I know they can be dangerous in a reef, but they are gorgeous, is my tank big enough for one, and should I risk keeping one in a reef?
Thanks

Sk8r · 08/30/2015, 03:10 PM

No. It's not healthful for them. Their growth is rapid and they need to get up and move.

TylerHaworth · 08/30/2015, 03:11 PM

Nope.

jason2459 · 08/30/2015, 03:27 PM

There will be some people that say yes no problem. But I am of the opinion that you should get a fish that will be able to live its life in the current tank you have.

Many say to either upgrade to a larger tank down the road or rehome the fish to someone else later. It's more difficult and more costly then people think to have a "future" tank upgrade so they never really happen. It's also usually more difficult to relocate to someone else a large, and most likely now an aggressive, fish later when they outgrow the small tank.

Buzz1329 · 08/30/2015, 03:37 PM

I think a yellow tang could work in a 90. (Please feel to pummel me if you disagree.) But I'd pass on the rest of the fish mentioned in your post. Congrats on thinking through the selection of fish for your new tank and seeking advice on same. IMO, that probably puts you in the top 10% of reefsters.

Good luck,

Mike

ericarenee · 08/30/2015, 03:37 PM

I have a adult Vlamingi tang. They get from that cute little baby to a whopping 18 inches in about 12 to 14 months . The 90 is much too small.... Mine is in THE Pond you see in my avatar picture. The pond is 7 foot x 3 feet and 24 inches deep.. It has very little rock. Just a mound in the middle where the fish hide... Mrs Mingi is a pet now...

We only have her because she was on her last hours of life at the pet store. Someone bought her online and did not know how to care for a TANG. She had ich and lateral line.. We fed her by hand for Days she was so sick and could not swim in the qt tank.

I will say my pond is NOT Big enough for her. But she would be dead had we not taken them..they needs to be able to swim swim swim....

They also eat a lot and Produce more waste then you can ever imagine.. You really need to be up on nutrient export to house them. Bad water quality elevated nitrates they will get lateral line and die.

Look for a Much smaller specie s.... and QT IT ...

cloak · 08/30/2015, 03:48 PM

IMO, go for it... It sure as hell beats that small a$$ holding tank at the LFS and most of us don't have the means, the money or the space to house them properly... It was doomed from the start... (horrible reality)

Now if this was a MUCH smaller tank, then I would give you a red flag, otherwise, good luck...

Just because your tank is big doesn't necessarily mean that everything will be cool... Do you know what the difference is between an idiot with a 200 gallon tank and one with a 100 gallon tank is? Nothing... It's in the hands of an idiot... JMO, GL.

ericarenee · 08/30/2015, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

.

Just because your tank is big doesn't necessarily mean that everything will be cool... Do you know what the difference is between an idiot with a 200 gallon tank and one with a 100 gallon tank is? Nothing... It's in the hands of an idiot... JMO, GL.

This is true.. But in my opinion Has nothing to do with housing such a Large powerful fish.They are NOTHING like other tangs you see in Aquariums..

Sapelo · 08/30/2015, 04:11 PM

In my opinion, this is the conversation that gives reefers bad names.
Why would a local fish store even carry such fish? They have no place in the "trade" unless destined for an appropriate home to begin with.
It's kinda like the person who gets a Great Dane for their 600 sq foot apartment because they are moving to the country as soon as they get a new job.
There are TONS of great fish for a 90 gallon so do what your tank was designed to do. Planning an upgrade down the road or planning to rehome a fish is like planning to walk the puppy every hour so it never gets bored. Far, far too often it just doesn't happen.
Buy fish for where you are now.

cloak · 08/30/2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericarenee

This is true.. But in my opinion Has nothing to do with housing such a Large powerful fish.They are NOTHING like other tangs you see in Aquariums..

I wasn't necessarily looking for YOUR opinion... I said my peace and that was it... If you took offence to that I'm sorry, but suck it up, have a beer, and maybe later you'll understand where I was coming from. Once again, this is JMO... Don't get it twisted...

snorvich · 08/30/2015, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapelo

In my opinion, this is the conversation that gives reefers bad names.
Why would a local fish store even carry such fish? They have no place in the "trade" unless destined for an appropriate home to begin with.
It's kinda like the person who gets a Great Dane for their 600 sq foot apartment because they are moving to the country as soon as they get a new job.
There are TONS of great fish for a 90 gallon so do what your tank was designed to do. Planning an upgrade down the road or planning to rehome a fish is like planning to walk the puppy every hour so it never gets bored. Far, far too often it just doesn't happen.
Buy fish for where you are now.

Good advice.

HidingReefer · 08/30/2015, 04:54 PM

Thank you guys very much, I did my homework and now realized this things get 2 feet plus in captivity. So now that brings me to another question, could I do a Desjardini Tang, I know they get huge but ive seen them in 50 gallon tanks, which I know is not right, but could i possibly keep one? If not that a regal angel, also one of my dream fish.
Thanks for all your advice

ericarenee · 08/30/2015, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

I wasn't necessarily looking for YOUR opinion... I said my peace and that was it... If you took offence to that I'm sorry, but suck it up, have a beer, and maybe later you'll understand where I was coming from. Once again, this is JMO... Don't get it twisted...

NOT offended at all.. Did not mean to come across ill mannered if you took it that way
.

billdogg · 08/30/2015, 05:24 PM

Can you put a Tang in a 90g tank? Sure, just not, at least IMO, any of the ones you have mentioned. Take a look at a Kole, a Tomini, or others in the Bristletooth family. None of them get all that big and could pretty easily make do in your tank. Like several others have mentioned - get only what you can keep in your present tank for it's entire lifespan - upgrades never happen when you think they will, if they happen at all.

About 28 years ago, I brought home a 12" Moray from the LFS. I ended up dedicating 300g total volume to it, because it quickly grew to about 4' and was eating easily a couple pounds of fresh seafood weekly. Hannibal made it for 25 years.

Be prepared to provide for the long term care of all the creatures you have responsibility for. Or don't get them.

jm.02

HidingReefer · 08/30/2015, 06:27 PM

Thanks to all of you for your advice, I think I will stick to just a yellow tang right now, maybe even a tomini.

jason2459 · 08/30/2015, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

IMO, go for it... It sure as hell beats that small a$$ holding tank at the LFS and most of us don't have the means, the money or the space to house them properly... It was doomed from the start... (horrible reality)

Now if this was a MUCH smaller tank, then I would give you a red flag, otherwise, good luck...

Just because your tank is big doesn't necessarily mean that everything will be cool... Do you know what the difference is between an idiot with a 200 gallon tank and one with a 100 gallon tank is? Nothing... It's in the hands of an idiot... JMO, GL.

How do you know someone with a large tank doesn't end up buying it?

Also, a 90g tank is not large or anywhere near it. Having a 180g tank I don't feel its a large tank or even think it's remotely large enough for that fish.

08/30/2015, 03:06 PM	#1
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	Tangs and other fish advice Hey guys I currently have a 90g reef thats about 3 months old. I think its ready for tangs. In my local area some guy is selling a baby vlamengi tang for a pretty cheap price, I know these things get huge, but is there a slight chance I could keep one in my 90 for at least a year? And if not the vlamengi, perhaps a Clown Tang. The clown tang has been one of my dream fish for a long time, and like the vlamengi, maybe I can keep the clown in my tank for at least a year? Any other suggestions for tangs? Im already planning on keeping a yellow, no doubt on that. Lastly, my LFS sells beautiful flagfin angels for a cheap price, 25 bucks! I know they can be dangerous in a reef, but they are gorgeous, is my tank big enough for one, and should I risk keeping one in a reef? Thanks

08/30/2015, 03:10 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	No. It's not healthful for them. Their growth is rapid and they need to get up and move. __________________ 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%.

08/30/2015, 03:11 PM	#3
TylerHaworth Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Barboursville, WV Posts: 628	Nope. __________________ 180 Gallon Rimless. Halides. MP40's. Other Goodies.

08/30/2015, 03:27 PM	#4
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	There will be some people that say yes no problem. But I am of the opinion that you should get a fish that will be able to live its life in the current tank you have. Many say to either upgrade to a larger tank down the road or rehome the fish to someone else later. It's more difficult and more costly then people think to have a "future" tank upgrade so they never really happen. It's also usually more difficult to relocate to someone else a large, and most likely now an aggressive, fish later when they outgrow the small tank. __________________ 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 Last edited by jason2459; 08/30/2015 at 03:36 PM.

08/30/2015, 03:37 PM	#6
ericarenee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Louisville Kentucky Posts: 3,110	I have a adult Vlamingi tang. They get from that cute little baby to a whopping 18 inches in about 12 to 14 months . The 90 is much too small.... Mine is in THE Pond you see in my avatar picture. The pond is 7 foot x 3 feet and 24 inches deep.. It has very little rock. Just a mound in the middle where the fish hide... Mrs Mingi is a pet now... We only have her because she was on her last hours of life at the pet store. Someone bought her online and did not know how to care for a TANG. She had ich and lateral line.. We fed her by hand for Days she was so sick and could not swim in the qt tank. I will say my pond is NOT Big enough for her. But she would be dead had we not taken them..they needs to be able to swim swim swim.... They also eat a lot and Produce more waste then you can ever imagine.. You really need to be up on nutrient export to house them. Bad water quality elevated nitrates they will get lateral line and die. Look for a Much smaller specie s.... and QT IT ... __________________ 240+G Mixed BB Reef tank.. 350 G Marine Pond. And the expensive stuff that runs it. Chic's are for Chic's You silly men Go Fishing or something... Current Tank Info: 240= gal Reef /550 Gallon Saltwater pond 72 G Bay front Tropical aquarium

08/30/2015, 03:37 PM	#5
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	I think a yellow tang could work in a 90. (Please feel to pummel me if you disagree.) But I'd pass on the rest of the fish mentioned in your post. Congrats on thinking through the selection of fish for your new tank and seeking advice on same. IMO, that probably puts you in the top 10% of reefsters. Good luck, Mike

08/30/2015, 03:48 PM	#7
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	IMO, go for it... It sure as hell beats that small a$$ holding tank at the LFS and most of us don't have the means, the money or the space to house them properly... It was doomed from the start... (horrible reality) Now if this was a MUCH smaller tank, then I would give you a red flag, otherwise, good luck... Just because your tank is big doesn't necessarily mean that everything will be cool... Do you know what the difference is between an idiot with a 200 gallon tank and one with a 100 gallon tank is? Nothing... It's in the hands of an idiot... JMO, GL. Last edited by cloak; 08/30/2015 at 04:00 PM.

08/30/2015, 04:11 PM	#9
Sapelo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: North Georgia Posts: 869	In my opinion, this is the conversation that gives reefers bad names. Why would a local fish store even carry such fish? They have no place in the "trade" unless destined for an appropriate home to begin with. It's kinda like the person who gets a Great Dane for their 600 sq foot apartment because they are moving to the country as soon as they get a new job. There are TONS of great fish for a 90 gallon so do what your tank was designed to do. Planning an upgrade down the road or planning to rehome a fish is like planning to walk the puppy every hour so it never gets bored. Far, far too often it just doesn't happen. Buy fish for where you are now.

08/30/2015, 04:54 PM	#12
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	Thank you guys very much, I did my homework and now realized this things get 2 feet plus in captivity. So now that brings me to another question, could I do a Desjardini Tang, I know they get huge but ive seen them in 50 gallon tanks, which I know is not right, but could i possibly keep one? If not that a regal angel, also one of my dream fish. Thanks for all your advice

08/30/2015, 05:24 PM	#14
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Can you put a Tang in a 90g tank? Sure, just not, at least IMO, any of the ones you have mentioned. Take a look at a Kole, a Tomini, or others in the Bristletooth family. None of them get all that big and could pretty easily make do in your tank. Like several others have mentioned - get only what you can keep in your present tank for it's entire lifespan - upgrades never happen when you think they will, if they happen at all. About 28 years ago, I brought home a 12" Moray from the LFS. I ended up dedicating 300g total volume to it, because it quickly grew to about 4' and was eating easily a couple pounds of fresh seafood weekly. Hannibal made it for 25 years. Be prepared to provide for the long term care of all the creatures you have responsibility for. Or don't get them. jm.02 __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/30/2015, 06:27 PM	#15
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	Thanks to all of you for your advice, I think I will stick to just a yellow tang right now, maybe even a tomini.