Does size really matter?

[edsbeaker]

Happy news today, I received a new Regal Tang from Biota. It looks great with a good weight on it. I knew they came in small, so for right now I put him and a Yellow tang, that also looks great, into a 20 gallon long tank.

I’ve never had a small tang like this, 1”, and am wondering at what point will it be able to fend for itself in my 170 gallon. Does the size of it matter at all, or just its overall health? I do have a 3” Tomini Tang that does bully new fish for a couple of days.

I do have an acclimation box for introduction into the tank.

And for those that clicked on this thread solely for the title…Shame on you!!

 

[Tinnerito]

Happy news today, I received a new Regal Tang from Biota. It looks great with a good weight on it. I knew they came in small, so for right now I put him and a Yellow tang, that also looks great, into a 20 gallon long tank.

I’ve never had a small tang like this, 1”, and am wondering at what point will it be able to fend for itself in my 170 gallon. Does the size of it matter at all, or just its overall health? I do have a 3” Tomini Tang that does bully new fish for a couple of days.

I do have an acclimation box for introduction into the tank.

And for those that clicked on this thread solely for the title…Shame on you!!

I think it just might be either really young, or a smaller individual...

 

[edsbeaker]

I think it just might be either really young, or a smaller individual...

I’m sure it’s small because it’s young. I’ve heard all of the fish from Biota come in small, since they are all tank bred. I was just wondering if its small size means I shouldn’t add it into the display right away.

 

[SaltyWalty]

I’m sure it’s small because it’s young. I’ve heard all of the fish from Biota come in small, since they are all tank bred. I was just wondering if its small size means I shouldn’t add it into the display right away.

I’ve found they are pretty fast growers so it wouldn’t hurt to hold it in the smaller tank until it gets comfortable and puts on some size!

 

[exnisstech]

You never know for sure untill you try it. I would definitely use an acclimation box. Maybe introduce both new ones at the same after lights out but with room lightning enough so the new guy's can see. I added a little regal years ago that was smaller than a blue damsel and it was fine with a yellow eye kole in a 75g but ya just never know how for sure how it will go.

 

[edsbeaker]

You never know for sure untill you try it. I would definitely use an acclimation box. Maybe introduce both new ones at the same after lights out but with room lightning enough so the new guy's can see. I added a little regal years ago that was smaller than a blue damsel and it was fine with a yellow eye kole in a 75g but ya just never know how for sure how it will go.

Thanks for that. Do you think I would be gaining anything by leaving him in the 20 gallon for any longer than just to make sure he is eating for a few days? A month or two isn’t going to make a huge difference in his size.

 

[landlubber]

it has definitely mattered for me with Tangs.
With established fish in the system I also pull all the stops, Acclimation box, mirrors on both ends and internet images of tangs that i printed and cut out to stick on the tank all help give the introduced fish more of a chance.

 

[Red_Beard]

Thanks for that. Do you think I would be gaining anything by leaving him in the 20 gallon for any longer than just to make sure he is eating for a few days? A month or two isn’t going to make a huge difference in his size.

That would be good to make sure it keeps eating and gets used to what 'food' is.

 

[edsbeaker]

it has definitely mattered for me with Tangs.
With established fish in the system I also pull all the stops, Acclimation box, mirrors on both ends and internet images of tangs that i printed and cut out to stick on the tank all help give the introduced fish more of a chance.

I didn’t even consider pulling out all the stops. If there’s any additional ways to help with aggression I’m all in! So thanks for that suggestion.

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks for that. Do you think I would be gaining anything by leaving him in the 20 gallon for any longer than just to make sure he is eating for a few days? A month or two isn’t going to make a huge difference in his size.

I would grow it out as long as you have the patience. The bigger and healthier the better I think. If your doing observation and not medicating maybe add a rock or two. My little one loved to wedge into a crevice to sleep.

 

[edsbeaker]

I would grow it out as long as you have the patience. The bigger and healthier the better I think. If you’re doing observation and not medicating maybe add a rock or two. My little one loved to wedge into a crevice to sleep.

Thank you, and Yes, I am not medicating so set it up using 3 good size pieces of rock from my 170. The Hippo Tang found a nice area between the rock and the tank bottom that he is snuggling in.

 

[vlangel]

Good luck! Adding new fish to an established system is always so stressful!

 

[edsbeaker]

Good luck! Adding new fish to an established system is always so stressful!

I know! I’m mainly worried about my Tomini Tangs aggression. He’s a bully for just those first two or three days. I have a fish trap that every single fish has gone into except him. It’s like he knows! I think when the Hippo is close to being ready to go into the big kids tank, I’ll try to capture the Tomini again, and then I can put him in the 20 gallon for a few days, while the hippo is settling in.

 

[vlangel]

I know! I’m mainly worried about my Tomini Tangs aggression. He’s a bully for just those first two or three days. I have a fish trap that every single fish has gone into except him. It’s like he knows! I think when the Hippo is close to being ready to go into the big kids tank, I’ll try to capture the Tomini again, and then I can put him in the 20 gallon for a few days, while the hippo is settling in.

That is a great idea if you can catch him. I had a tomini tang that I loved that had outgrown my tank that I needed to rehome. (He also was not very welcoming to new residents) but I had to take almost everything out of my tank to catch him! I hope you have better luck.

 

[edsbeaker]

That is a great idea if you can catch him. I had a tomini tang that I loved that had outgrown my tank that I needed to rehome. (He also was not very welcoming to new residents) but I had to take almost everything out of my tank to catch him! I hope you have more luck.

Thanks, I always thought Tomini tangs were pretty low key.