60 vs 72 inch Tank - Tangs/Foxface

[ncsuben]

Alright folks, as I continue to plan ahead for my first salt water tank it is time to ponder the exceptionally hotly debated tang habitat conundrum.

I really like the dimensions of a 60” long tank for our space (~150g). Can we fit a 72” (180g)? Yes, but it will look like it is swallowing the whole wall. People coming over would most certainly go, “Wow…so you like fish?”…and to those fortunate enough to have spaces big enough for 200g+…please inform me how I can get your job…ok I digress.

For our main bigger fish, my wife and I love the Tomini tang, the two spot bristletooth, and the one spot foxface. Which brings up two questions:

1. Is 60” enough for these adults? (All? Two? One?) I get that we can rehome once too big, I also get “more space is always better.” But that’s not the question. Also please note, I will be creating a habitat negative space design that would pull the rock and corals off the back wall to allow swim space in front and behind the structure.

2. The two spot and Tomini both being bristletooth tangs and the one spot Foxface also being an algae grazer…what’s the likelihood of them all getting along? Is it better to pick one of the bristletooth and then a purple tang if going for 2 tangs? (Knowing the purple goes in last!)

I also understand that in the land of anima behavior it is individual specific, but just looking for a general guidance. Thanks for the input!

 

[Sphyrna_gal]

Generally, if you are already loving fish like tangs and fox faces you'll want as large as you can go, lol! Tomini and bristletooths are on the smaller side for tangs about 6"+ but fox faces grow 8"+ depending on the species..plus the whole venomous dorsal spines to watch out for.

Personally, I don't agree to relying on "rehoming" fish when it's too big- IMO it's best to get the fish suited for your set up. It's a lot of headache and unneeded stress for all involved but I've seen many people on here that seem to have a good relationship with their LFS that allows them to do trades? *shrugs*

Tomini and bristle tooth are from the same family (Ctenochaetus) so that may not work out so well together. My exp. with tomini tangs is they've always been on the sassy side especially with other like-sized or other herbivores wanting seaweed off the clip.. not sure I would add them both but maybe someone has one of each in a bigger system and they're perfectly fine?

Care/research when to add and sizing matters as well, sometimes you can get away with adding a more peaceful species if they are larger but as you mentioned there's no guarantees with anything.

 

[Zach136378]

In my opinion I think it should be fine but you should not add too many large fish maybe 1 more after that and also it depends on how good your filtration is

 

[The Ugly Phase]

you would not have to rehome them fish in either the 150 or 180

 

[JoJosReef]

@Fish Styx

You are going to be fine with that One Spot Foxface. You'll also be fine with a bristletooth, but I would defer to the tang experts (Matt?) about whether two bristletooths in that tank is a good idea. I'd personally go with the foxface + tomini + a Zebrasoma (captive bred purple or yellow tang) OR smaller Acanthurus (chocolate tang all the way).

 

[Fish Styx]

@Fish Styx

You are going to be fine with that One Spot Foxface. You'll also be fine with a bristletooth, but I would defer to the tang experts (Matt?) about whether two bristletooths in that tank is a good idea. I'd personally go with the foxface + tomini + a Zebrasoma (captive bred purple or yellow tang) OR smaller Acanthurus (chocolate tang all the way).

The three of those would be okay together in a 180. I would not try it in a 60" tank, though. Add both tangs at the same time, preferably juveniles, and you should be fine. My DT is a 180, and I have a White Tail and Orange Striated, both of which are on the larger side for Ctenochaetus sp. They barely acknowledge each other's existence. As always, though, IMMV.

Now, despite popular misconception, Ctenochaetus sp. are actually detritivores, hence the "bristle" or "comb" tooth moniker. Yes, they will eat algae, but that's not primarily what they graze off of the rock work all day. A good rule of thumb should be to keep everyone well fed so rousource aggression is minimal anyway.

Happy reefing.


Edit: The 180 gives you more room for additional tangs, too!

 

[winzig]

72" all the way

 

[NCsalt]

I’m in the process of setting up my Cade peninsula 1500. 60 inches long by 30 inches wide if you slightly round up to nearest inch. 178 gallon display. 210 total system.

I really wanted some tangs but a 72 inch wasn’t going to fit the area. And there is always this persistent projection of an idea in words that “oh gotta have six foot six foot six foot if you want a tang gang!”

So much so that I found myself looking at my large system, that cost thousands before any equipment, that took a whole hired moving crew to put in place, going i might not be able to do more than a bristle tooth and a foxface.

Does that make sense? How many people have a tank more than 200 gallons? 300+? Its a very small number. Yet it seems those people dictate the “appropriate” size for so many commonly available species in the trade.

And the “appropriate” size seems to increase every few years by the gate keepers.

So by the “6 foot rule” my 60 inch tank would be inadequate but a 72 inch 180 would be way better. However this discounts the fact that my tank has a diagonal of 67 inches and has a foot print that is at least a half foot more than a standard 6 foot 180!

Also take a look around there are lots of people with thriving tangs in four foot tanks for years. The words aren’t matching reality, they are emotional perceptions. And its getting beyond old, perhaps even harmful to the hobby.

Do we want to provide our pets an environment they can thrive in, absolutely. Have people had experience with an individual specimen that required a bigger tank than others of that species? Yes. Are their experiences and opinions formed based on those experiences valuable. Yes
Are they law? No

I have seen 5 foot tanks where the tangs and foxface look almost too big, only to discover they are that big because they have been happily living for well over a decade. Thats a lot longer than the lifespan of a Red Sea apparently.

Should someone be able to try two tangs and a foxface in 150 gallon without feeling “unethical”? Yes. Will it work? Maybe maybe not depending on way more variables than an extra 12 inches.


I intend to try a Tomini, a Chocolate/Lemon Mimic, Scopas, and a magnificient foxface with more than a handful of wrasses in my 5 foot and probably a Blue Throat trigger as well.

You don’t know unless you try. And i’m not talking about trying a Naso in a 40 breeder. Good luck!