Tangs in a 55g - Now "what should I add next?"

Probably a couple of years.

 

Regal Tangs(hippos)get more than a foot long.

I would go with 2in10's suggestion of bristletooth tangs. IF you MUST have a tang.

 

Thats quite slow. I thought faster.

I never said I must have one. But I understand a tang might have to wait off until I get a 125 or a 250.

 

Tangs in a 55g => Ideas on next addition?

I think that this thread might be more appropriate as a 'what should I add next'?

I have a flame angel and two oscellaris clowns like I mentioned earlier. Its a reef tank, with LPS, softies, and a host of non photosynthetics. I also have a cleaner shrimp and some peppermints as well as a linkia star and an asterina star. + assorted snails and hermits.

I would like to add another fish that has personality, and is either abit odd (like you wouldnt often see one in an aquarium) or blue/green as im currently stocking only reds/oranges.

If anyone can give me some ideas on where to go next that would be much appreciated.

+ everyone gets karma for not ripping my head off with the tang idea

 

I am a big fan of Midas Blennys. Eel like swimming, always out in the water column, great personalities. You could probably do a wrasse or two as well, they would just need to be on the aggressive side.

But, I would be curious to see if people have kept Bristletooth Tangs in a 55. According to the site John posted, a 55 would be more than the preferred size for a a full size Tomini Tang.

 

I don't wanna sound like the fish nazi, but imagine all the less experienced people that see this thread and say "ok well if he can, then so can I." there are plenty of colorful active fish that would do fine in your tank, like some wrasse for example.

 

I honestly wouldn't risk any Tangs for now.

+1 to a Midas Blenny. They have really cool personalities. I see them at my LFS all the time

It would be cool of you got a Watchman Goby/Pistol Shrimp pair or a little school of Chromis. Also look into Cardinalfish.

 

I have a 3 inch hippo and a 4 inch yellow tang in my 55. Of course,I bought them knowing a 125 is coming in the next year or so. IME they dont grow THAT fast. Ive had my hippo and yelow about 6 months and they dont seem to have grown much at all, if any. Both tangs are healthy and happy. My LFS has a quarter sized hippo in a 16 gallon innovative marine tank. Looks happy to me. I think the rule of NO tangs in a 55 is silly. Long term it wont work, but no reason you cant enjoy one for a year or two. Just be responsible.

 

Looking more into it, a Tomini Tang may be ok in a 55. I would not rule them out without doing some more research, if that is what you want.

 

I was thinking along similar lines when i first started this thread. I would love to hear of someone with a full size bristletooth tang in a 55g.

I do see that point. As long as people are aware that keeing tangs in 55s is not common place or easy to do it should be ok.

A goby pistol shrimp pair would be sweet. But that are ridiculously expensive here in AUS. Like $400 for the pair lol. I had a cardinal fish but it was a lazy arse and got sucked into my powerhead and unfortunately died.

I dont want to have to give the fish back though if I cant upgrade. I am quite attached to my fish. I would be gutted if i ever had to give one back. So I wouldnt go down the route of having them only for a year or so.

I will definately keep looking. A tomini tang might be on the cards. Also will come down to what my LFS stocks.