Best tangs

[Stanzo13]

I seem to remember you have a smaller tank, there's not really any tangs recommended for that size and especially not a powder blue. And tangs can be tricky, not usually a good starter fish.

I have had a 29 running over a year, but I have a 55 on the side with a 20gal sump I will start to cycle it in a month or 2

 

[starypotter]

I have had a 29 running over a year, but I have a 55 on the side with a 20gal sump I will start to cycle it in a month or 2

A 55 gallon is still going to be too small, there is not a single tang Live Aquaria will recommend for a tank that size and Live Aquaria is a pretty solid standard for minimum tank sizes, and even then a lot of times I will see people recommending people to go larger than their recommendation. I'm just going by many of the other posts I've seen from you on here and it seems like you've got a lot more reading and research and experience before getting a more delicate fish like a tang, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm still new myself, I'm still learning and making mistakes, we're all always learning something new. It's part of the hobby and life really, there's always more to learn which is one of the reasons this hobby was so attractive to me. There will always be something new out there to discover.

 

[Stanzo13]

So if one we're to select a tang for a 55 would their be a couple good options?

 

[Gareth elliott]

What corals do you keep?

They are not 100% reef safe but a 55g is a good size for a dwarf angel. And they will eat algae.

But always a chance will take a liking to corals or a clam.

And far far as look awesome, hard to compete with the beauty of any angel fish. And the vast majority are sub $150.

 

[starypotter]

So if one we're to select a tang for a 55 would their be a couple good options?

There aren't any tangs that are recommended for a 55 gallon unfortunately. If you go on Live Aquaria, go to the marine fish tab, and on the left select 'minimum aquarium size' and 55 you'll get a good idea of some of the fish you can have. Blenny's are fun, and there's a bunch of wrasses you could get too.

 

[Stanzo13]

What corals do you keep?

They are not 100% reef safe but a 55g is a good size for a dwarf angel. And they will eat algae.

But always a chance will take a liking to corals or a clam.

And far far as look awesome, hard to compete with the beauty of any angel fish. And the vast majority are sub $150.

Thanks for the thought, I had a flame once and it ate every plant and all Xenia in sight, then it died of ick but this was long before I knew or had and proper ways to treat ick. So a couple months later I got a false lemon peel. He got ick, so to the qt with copper. I treated rather harsh with copper and temp, and a fw dip for bout 30 seconds but he was in qt for a week and seemed fine, back to the display and 2 weeks later their goes my new Xenia and paly zoa's.... All in all a great experience that I wouldn't wish upon my enemies. Lots of money down the drain to fish people said would be fine, that said. . angel fish recommendtiins? 2 in a 55?

 

[Mpierce]

I have had a 29 running over a year, but I have a 55 on the side with a 20gal sump I will start to cycle it in a month or 2

Best to wait until you have the 55 running. I would stick to the bristletooth variety for that size tank. Tomini, kole, white tail.

 

[Gil03]

I see the tang police are out in full force lol...you can certainly put a tang in a 55 gallon and I've done it many of times in my over 15yrs in this hobby with no issues long term. Just have good params, water flow and feed them a variety, they'll be fat and happy no prob. I wouldn't put a giant adult species in obviously but there's a number to choose from that would work.

 

[PDR]

I see the tang police are out in full force lol...you can certainly put a tang in a 55 gallon and I've done it many of times in my over 15yrs in this hobby with no issues long term. Just have good params, water flow and feed them a variety, they'll be fat and happy no prob. I wouldn't put a giant adult species in obviously but there's a number to choose from that would work.

You must not have met the tang police on other forums yet lol. This is about as mild a "policing" I have ever seen. I do agree that in some cases the minimums are more a guideline and a more advanced hobbyist can successfully push those boundaries. That doesn't mean it's something I would recommend, especially to a new hobbyist.

 

[Raptor72]

As a matter of fact, I just picked up my new shirt at RAP this past weekend. [emoji6]

 

[rkpetersen]

Thanks for the thought, I had a flame once and it ate every plant and all Xenia in sight, then it died of ick but this was long before I knew or had and proper ways to treat ick. So a couple months later I got a false lemon peel. He got ick, so to the qt with copper. I treated rather harsh with copper and temp, and a fw dip for bout 30 seconds but he was in qt for a week and seemed fine, back to the display and 2 weeks later their goes my new Xenia and paly zoa's.... All in all a great experience that I wouldn't wish upon my enemies. Lots of money down the drain to fish people said would be fine, that said. . angel fish recommendtiins? 2 in a 55?

Your best chances with a dwarf angel as far as health and compatibility with corals and other fish is probably the Coral Beauty. Although still no guarantees.

 

[Bradley Keck]

So much depends on what other fish you have in there as well. I too am new to this hobby, but I have researched enough to know, if you put a tang in 55g, get ready to have a similar experience you had with your dwarf angels. Chances are much higher that it won't turn out well for you or the fish versus your tang thriving and being happy in a 55g over the course of time. No "Tang police" here, just solid advice on a widely known fact with little debate really. You will not find a reference anywhere that states tangs will thrive in a 55g tank. There are always cases where others have had success, but that is the exception. I think we can get too caught up in the looks of particular fish and forget that what will ultimately lead to enjoyment of our tanks is all our fish thriving and getting along. I am in the process of figuring my stocking list, and I am trying hard to not get too caught up in how cool a particular fish is and trying to base my decisions on what gives me the greatest chance of success. I would love to have a powder blue, but I know how hard they can be to keep and it is just not worth it to me to go through the money and grief of failing to keep it alive. I know that is not guaranteed, but happens more than with other types of tangs. I personally would not recommend any kind of angel or tang in a 55g. Good Luck with your 55g!

 

[Betty1964]

My favorite is the blonde naso; who can resist a fish bold enough to wear orange lipstick? Fortunately, in my 265 gallon tank, my options are a little more open. If you anything from the zebrasoma family, add them last...they get seriously territorial.

 

[Betty1964]

My favorite is the blonde naso; who can resist a fish bold enough to wear orange lipstick? Fortunately, in my 265 gallon tank, my options are a little more open. If you anything from the zebrasoma family, add them last...they get seriously territorial.

 

[Betty1964]

Double post.

 

[MikeAndrews]

Can’t beat a Kole tang for a smaller tank.

 

[evilchef70]

Would help to know your tank size? You probably know many tangs need well over 100 gal. My bias is for a chocolate tang. I selected a chocolate because my understanding is it's appropriate for my tank size and I enjoy seeing the color change as it goes from juvenile to adult. Mine has tons of personality, laying on it's side to beg for food, pooping into the overflow like it knows its the toilet (really!). Juvenile is very affordable and I bet adults are under $300. What looks awesome is up to your personal taste, get what you like.

What I mean by fun to watch color change:
Juvenile

16mo later sub adult color

Nice pic and nice fish.

 

[evilchef70]

I love the yellow eye like tang. I also have a blue eyed kole. In my larger tanks I have vlamingi and my beautiful naso with streamers. I hand feed them every day. And they also love to be rubbed

 

[cdmckinzie]

I would really love a Caribbean (atlantic) blue tang, not the hippo. Does anyone have one? Do they have good personalities? I'm going to have a 130g very soon but am going to start with smaller, easier fish first, but I've read that the blues are easy to care for and good for beginners. Just wondering if that's true. I would also like a lavender and a purple tang. These are the only larger fish I'm getting will that be ok?

 

[Mastino]

Yellow tank - looks great and stands out. Mine has s great personality.
Also have a Kole tanks - looks are more subtle but I think they make a great pair.
I don't have enough room for any more tangs, but my first choice would always be a yellow tang.