Tank for a Tang

Matt Rogers · 03-02-2002, 01:49 AM

What is the mininum size aquarium for a Tang fish?

karlas · 03-04-2002, 05:41 AM

i wouldnt go with anything less than a 55 for a tang and that would only be certain species like the bristletooths, koles, lemon peels, yellows, purples then i would only add one. for any of the bigger species i would go with 100 gal or more. with a 75 i might add 2 of the smaller species depending on existing fish load

Matt Rogers · 03-05-2002, 08:53 PM

I have heard nearly verbatim from others recently Karla. That is probably a good rule of thumb. Of course, no one told me this when I wanted to put a Tang in my 40 breeder several years back.

Wrassman · 03-11-2003, 03:09 AM

I have a Mimic Tang (Acanthurus pyroferus) that is probably my favorite fish. His name is Sunny (yes, I name my fish) and I've had him now almost 2 years. He was very small when I got him. He is now the ruler of the tank, and full of personality.

My tank is a 58g, but Sunny doesn't seem to mind. He doesn't really have a "swim pattern" as I've seen in many Tangs. He just kinda roams around, pecking wherever...

karlas · 03-12-2003, 07:04 AM

they are a smaller type which i would say a 55 anyway but hes a nice lookin fish love that color

Wrassman · 03-12-2003, 10:57 AM

I uploaded another pic in the gallery, so now I can link to it. It is one of my favorite pics, but it is older. You can see that Sunny has grown some since I took this one:

As he matures, he will begin to take on the browner tones that are characteristic of the "Chocolate Tang," as this Tang is sometimes known. I have a picture of an adult "Chocolate Tang" on another site, but I can link it from here:

Quite a sharp contrast from Sunny's bright yellow disposition now, isn't it? But, still beautiful, IMO, nevertheless.

Matt Rogers · 03-12-2003, 11:10 AM

WOW! That great looking Tangs. That chocolate one is really different.

RogerL · 03-22-2003, 01:18 PM

i like yellow tangs; i was thinking about one for my 90g FOWLR eventually, but my LFS it said that they need 100g tank to be happy...it wasn't my normal clerk at the store, so i kinda dont trust him. if i did get it, it wouldnt be for a long while, so what do you think? my tank good, or should i leave the yellow at the fish store?

CheckMateKingll · 03-22-2003, 04:14 PM

Hey Roger,,
Leave the Yellow and go with the Purple Tang or both, but introduce them at the same time if both...
Your 90 is fine for them or one of them....
Here is my Purple Twang.....Zebrasoma xanthurus,,,,,,

Here is a Summary,,,, Courtesy of T.F.H. Publications, publishers of the Burgess Atlas.
The Purple Tang, also known as the Yellowtail Sailfin Tang, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, and the Blue Surgeonfish, is blue to purple in color with a yellow tail and yellow accents on the pectoral fins. This fish was formally known only to the coral reefs of the Red Sea, but it is now found in the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and in the waters off Sri Lanka as well. It usually lives singly, but can occasionally be found in schools in the southern Red Sea. Adults can reach a size of 10 inches.

The Purple Tang is one of the most prized specimens of all saltwater fish. If housed properly, it is a rewarding and attractive addition to any large fish-only tank. If keeping them, be sure to provide good lighting, lots of free swimming space and plenty of potential hiding spots. They can be very aggressive and do not fare well with tank mates of similar body shape, especially other Tangs of the genus Zebrasoma.

They will graze on algae in the aquarium as well as accepting other prepared foods both frozen and dried. Purple Tangs need vitamin supplements that are high in beta-carotene, to help prevent lateral line disease.

Hope this Helps...

RogerL · 03-22-2003, 07:14 PM

this helps a lot. that is a really pretty fish; i like it a lot more than the yellow... are they a good beginner specimen?