Tangs

[mhaynes01]

I have been reading up on tangs, and have decided that i want to get one.

I have a 50 gallon tank, that is in the process of being setup and everything in my old tank will be moved into it.

My question is, What is a good tang to get, and by that I mean one that is fairly hardy and does not get as big as some as the bigger tangs do such as naso, sailfin, hippo etc.

4-6 inches at biggest.

Anything come to mind? i know most tangs get to be pretty good sized.

[Texreefer]

yellow tang is a good one.. there will be varying opinions but 50 is right on the edge of being too small, the yellow tangs seem to to well in smaller tanks

[mhaynes01]

yeah thats what is troubling me on getting one, just because of the size of my tank.

I had been thinking about a yellow tang.

I figured if i got one and he or she started to look like he/she needed a bigger tank i would find him/her a new home.

Any other tangs?

[SACoastie]

Maybe a Yellow eye or a Scopas tang, definatly the yellow tang. I just picked up a yellow eye, and I think its great! A larger tank is really needed for tangs as they grow quickly and need the room.

[mhaynes01]

Thanks, well if i do end up getting one it wont be for a while. Definently going to think long and hard before the commitment.

Maybe I'll get a six line wrasse, chromis and a anthia?

any suggestions on other fish, I have 1 occelaris clown.

[MikeP]

What are the dimensions on the 50g? I would rule out any Acanthurus tang, Hippos/Regal and most Zebrasoma. Yellow / purple / scopas might do 'ok' but they will get a bit cramped in a few years. Some of the bristletooth tangs are a bit smaller - maybe a Kole tang? For the life of the fish I'd say 75 minimum based on my experience with Zebrasoma tangs.

[mhaynes01]

dimensions. 36" x 18" x 20"

[erikharrison]

Yellow eye kole tang, convict, whitecheek, achilles(mayyyybe), or chevron.....
This is a cool fish! http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=380&N=0

[Ping]

A 50g tank is too small for any tang. Yes a yellow will survive, but it will not thrive. Any other tang is really out of the question.

[Enigma13]

Yellow eye kole tang, convict, whitecheek, achilles(mayyyybe), or chevron.....
This is a cool fish! http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=380&N=0

Definitely not an Achilles. They feel cramped in 180 gallons. Anything you read on them will clearly say that they need a lot of swimming room in comparison to other tangs. I think if you have to do a tang in a 50G the kole (yellow eye) is probably the best. I am more of the thinking that a 48" long tank is the minimum for tangs, but I am not the tang police either. Best of luck whatever you decide.

[mhaynes01]

Thanks, like i said if i do get one it wont be for a long time, (that way i dont buy one on impulse)

Appreciate the info. will keep informed on my decision.