Blue tang in a 29g?

[Euclid]

What do you think? If I pick up a tiny ~1" hippo, would a 29g be too small?

[Henny]

I would say yes. 29 Gallons will not be enough room for a hippo tang. They can grow up to a foot long in captive care. Unless you were planning on upgrading I wouldn't even bother. Because you would eventually have to find it a new home. Here is a link on drsfostersmith with recommended tank parameters:http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+330&pcatid=330 That's just my thoughts. Someone with more experience may think otherwise.

[DrMark]

............if you know you will be upgrading, then maybe

[Nunzy]

Yea they can grow real fast too.

[Bill S]

I'd say no. The reason I went from 55 to 215 was for a blue hippo. The most staggeringly expensive blue hippo on the planet...

[Texreefer]

probably not a good idea

[RayAllen]

No

[bigdscobra]

Great Idea I have had one in a 29g for over 4 years now doing great no problems at all!!!! Got her when she was 1in as well..

[Noober]

I'm sure you'd live fine in a prison cell your entire life as well cobra, as long as they feed you and you have some sort of will to survive, but on the other hand would it be fun enough to enjoy life? lol sorry bad analogy

[Mr Cob]

I'm sure you'd live fine in a prison cell your entire life as well cobra, as long as they feed you and you have some sort of will to survive, but on the other hand would it be fun enough to enjoy life? lol sorry bad analogy

I think you nailed it with this analogy.

[Noober]

i just felt bad for being a smart alec, mabe shoulda been more direct, sorry bout that haha :) sometimes i get a little arnery when it comes to mistreated pets, no harm intended

[Noober]

ps, to stray but not to stray, I sure wish i had an eight ft long tank so i could get a clown tang or something that gets 1+ ft hehe

[Kyle46N]

Since when did fish have thoughts? Since when did a blue tang have the ability to think "Gee it really sucks swimmng around in such cramped quarters." I had to play devils advocate on this one. Its something that has been bothering me since I first came into the hobby and heard of the tang police. Dont' get me wrong, I generally think its a bad idea to put a big fish in a small tank, but it does annoy me when the reasons for not doing such things dwelve into the fish's thoughts, or how it would "feel".

[aquasport24]

Every few months or so , this question would come up. I would say, do your own research and decide it on your own. After all ,you have the responsibility for that fish...and no body else.

[coraline79]

big fish little tank has little or nothing to do with it, The main issue here is the fishes swimming habits in the wild, and the amount a stress a fish more likely to gain in the cramped quarters. This has the possibility of detiorating the fishes health. The Hippo Tang can get stressed out very easily, and is prone to ick and infection. It is just resposible try to acommodate the life and not the death of any fish we choose to purchase.

[jessinator752]

i say if you like the fish get it small and when it outgrows your system either upgrade the tank or get rid of the fish. i've done this several times. i had a panther grouper for about 7 mo in a 100 gal tank. i bought it small and when it outgrew my tank i traded it for a different type of fish. i've also had a black volitan lion in my 100 gal. again when it got to large i just traded it. i currently have a longhorn cowfish in my 100 gal. they have the potential to get 16-20". i got him when he was about an inch, he's now up to about 2 inches. when he gets to big for my system i will find him a new home. i've heard many times that you can't keep several types of clowns in the same system, but i have a gsm and o.clowns that live right by eachother. they both have their own rock of xenia to host in and they both get along great. sometimes things don't work out, other times they do. you just have to try it and if there is a problem be willing to fix it. just my two cents.

[Texreefer]

Poor Advice IMO..There are exceptions to every rule, but how many people read stuff like this and kill lots of fish until it finally works out. why not just provide them with a suitable environment to begin with.
i say if you like the fish get it small and when it outgrows your system either upgrade the tank or get rid of the fish. i've done this several times. i had a panther grouper for about 7 mo in a 100 gal tank. i bought it small and when it outgrew my tank i traded it for a different type of fish. i've also had a black volitan lion in my 100 gal. again when it got to large i just traded it. i currently have a longhorn cowfish in my 100 gal. they have the potential to get 16-20". i got him when he was about an inch, he's now up to about 2 inches. when he gets to big for my system i will find him a new home. i've heard many times that you can't keep several types of clowns in the same system, but i have a gsm and o.clowns that live right by eachother. they both have their own rock of xenia to host in and they both get along great. sometimes things don't work out, other times they do. you just have to try it and if there is a problem be willing to fix it. just my two cents.

[RaceRat]

Since when did fish have thoughts? Since when did a blue tang have the ability to think "Gee it really sucks swimmng around in such cramped quarters." I had to play devils advocate on this one. Its something that has been bothering me since I first came into the hobby and heard of the tang police. Dont' get me wrong, I generally think its a bad idea to put a big fish in a small tank, but it does annoy me when the reasons for not doing such things dwelve into the fish's thoughts, or how it would "feel".
How do you know fish don't have thoughts? They react to pain and stress don't they? Maybe they don't "think" like we do, but their natural instinct comes into play and in the wild they aren't confined to a 10" x 10" area.

[mikedelgado]

dont do it

[Noober]

I agree that a fish might not think all that much, more reaction i would guess. None the less they have habits and personaitys that come with their species. I've seen oscars that wouldnt give you a second look when you walk by their tank but if their owner would come they'd hit the top of the water waiting to be fed. I do believe they can learn and arnt on the level of a frag of coral mentally. All that being said, my real point is that these other guys are right. You need to be concerned with the overall health of your livestock. Dead or sick fish can mean tank crashes if you wanna go to an extreme. Thats money outta your pocket, i bet the fish dont feel that one but you sure do lol. Anyway fish that swim a lot in the wild being cramped up dosnt let them exercise enough and I know fish become caustrophobic because I've seen fish freak out when tossed in smaller environments. I am not sure but I bet the stress that is applied to the fish can mess up their eating habits, their general agressiveness to tank mates and many other things. I'm no marine biologist but I think its a bad idea. I have kept a hippo tang in a 50 gallon as a juvinile and that was ok, but I didnt hesitate to get him to a new owner once he grew up some and I wanted other species of tangs. I'd say in certain instances you can break the rules but I would not totally disregard them. Just my 2 cents -matt

[Euclid]

And on a side note, what happened to hippo tang prices?! Aquatek is selling small hippos for $70?!?! I'm pretty sure they were like $35 last time I checked.

[prof]

Do it. It is too small of a tank, but you know that. You will have to re-home it later, but you know that too. Enjoy the fish until it grows a little and then sell him. There are always people who would like a tang.

[Dee]

I've got one in my biocube...a 14g...tiny little guy. Yes I know it's not the best idea. He's doing great, but I got him knowing he won't be staying in there too long. Another 1/2" and he's going in my big tank at home. I needed something to eat the algae in my tank and the tang was the best one. It's under control thanks to him and some cowrie's, so when I can see that my little tank isn't working for him any more, he's coming home. I got him because I always wanted one and I knew no tang would live long in a biocube, so I would get to put him in my main system soon enough.

I have to say though, if I didn't have a large tank at home, this fish would not have been purchased. I get attached to my critters whether they can think or not. I get them hoping to give them a cool and safe home. I REALLY hate losing even a fish.

Dena

[bigdscobra]

Do what you want you will be fine! It is going to take that fish years and years to out grow that tank especially when you start out with one that is 1in.. And hopefully by the time she is to big for the tank and you will have enough experience and enjoyment to do a larger tank.

It just makes me laugh on how people who have only been members (maybe only had a salt water tank) for 1 to 2 years give advice on whats good for the fish long term when they have not even had salt water tanks that long.

We all know that fish out grow tanks but come on a 1in fish will do just fine for over 3 years in a 29g tank and in that time you can enjoy the fun and beauty of a hippo tang or any other fish for that matter. Not everybody has the ability to start with 100g+++ tanks it is best to start small when learning a hobby.

Thanks
Dan

[Bill S]

Do what you want you will be fine!

It just makes me laugh on how people who have only been members (maybe only had a salt water tank) for 1 to 2 years give advice on whats good for the fish long term when they have not even had salt water tanks that long.


OK, Dan, I just checked. The folks that disagree with your advice:

3262 posts
2966 posts
2960 posts
1071 posts
734 posts

Now, in MY case - and I fully admit that I'm no expert and I've made MORE than my share of mistakes - I've been in this hobby (SW) for over 35 years. Yup. "Do what you want". That's worked for me...

[Mr Cob]

I think it's important to try our best at giving good advice. It's up to the people asking the questions to decide what's best for them and their pets. But, one of the things that makes this site so successful is that people take the time to offer up good advice based on research, knowledge and more importantly experience.

In my personal experience keeping fish happy is the key to a successful tank. In my experience if a tang is not happy he/she will get ick and most likely die if the problem persists. Keeping a tang in a 29 gallon is by no means a good start at keeping it happy. I'm sure it will work for some...but it's not good advice to advise someone that it's acceptable to keep a tang in a 29 gallon for up to 3-4 years.

[jdjm07]

I THINK IT WILL DO FINE . I HAVE A 7" INCH BLUE HIPPO TANG IN A 55 GALLONS!! I'VE HAD HIM 6 YRS.. AND I GOT HIM WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 3"INCH...

[Mr Cob]

I THINK IT WILL DO FINE . I HAVE A 7" INCH BLUE HIPPO TANG IN A 55 GALLONS!! I'VE HAD HIM 6 YRS.. AND I GOT HIM WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 3"INCH...

Still doesn't mean this is the best advice. Would you advise a person living in an apartment to keep a Great Dane dog? No. But I'm sure some people would and have kept them in tiny apartments and the dog lived for many years.

How about a Pony?

[aquasport24]

How about a pony and a great dane together in a small apartment?....lol.

[CoryDude]

Upgrade to a larger tank size, then get the tang. I promise they'll still be around when that time comes.

Like said earlier, an "unhappy" cramped fish will be susceptible to ich, velvet, and all other sorts of diseases and parasites. Not a good investment for you at this time IMO.

[RayAllen]

:lightbulb:

Maast is hear to educate in responsibe reefkeeping and any other saltwater aquarium types.

Those who are saying this is not ok.

Thank You for being responsible and educated in the subject.

[Bill S]

How about a pony and a great dane together in a small apartment?....lol.


OK, if I see an apartment with a pony and a great dane in it... Something ELSE is going on!

[Bill S]

Of course, I just realized that this one might go right over everyone's head...

With a dog...

And a pony...

In a show...

Put it all together now...

I know, really, really bad. Where's Richard?

[Mr Cob]

LOL!

[alton]

Since we have changed it to farm animals what about a pot bellied pig? How many of those do people keep in there apartment? I consider a Regal Tang a pot bellied pig, after you keep one for several years unless you are feeding they typically sit inbetween live rock and camp out.(Too lazy to Graze) I would not even think of putting a half inch regal in a 200 gallon tank. I would start him/her out in a small tank by themself or with docile fish grazing on live rock and what ever you feed. But as years go by you will need to move them into a larger tank or trade them in for another baby and start the process over again. And that is my two bits