LFS display tanks

[splashrunner]

I'm new to the hobby, less than 1 year in. I have a 60 gallon WaterBox and from what all I've read is that my tank is too small from any Tangs. But why is it that every time I go to a fish store I see 50-70 gallon tanks with huge Scopas, Tangs, Angels, etc? When I ask they say all the fish are happy lol Even when I ask "is my tank too small for a Tomini Tang" I'm always told my tank is good for it. I guess they are trying to make a sale?

 

[Uncle99]

I'm new to the hobby, less than 1 year in. I have a 60 gallon WaterBox and from what all I've read is that my tank is too small from any Tangs. But why is it that every time I go to a fish store I see 50-70 gallon tanks with huge Scopas, Tangs, Angels, etc? When I ask they say all the fish are happy lol Even when I ask "is my tank too small for a Tomini Tang" I'm always told my tank is good for it. I guess they are trying to make a sale?

Yellow tang, Bristletooth tang either or both work in a 60g.

Both mine exceed 6 years and maybe 5” at best.

 

[BryanM]

I'm new to the hobby, less than 1 year in. I have a 60 gallon WaterBox and from what all I've read is that my tank is too small from any Tangs. But why is it that every time I go to a fish store I see 50-70 gallon tanks with huge Scopas, Tangs, Angels, etc? When I ask they say all the fish are happy lol Even when I ask "is my tank too small for a Tomini Tang" I'm always told my tank is good for it. I guess they are trying to make a sale?

Tomini would work in your tank as well.

Many LFSes basically lie. Fish don't tend to stay in their tanks all that long, and they either have poor information or just want to sell fish.

You can do easy google searches for Hippo tang tank size, and get decent results pretty quick.

 

[Lelegance]

First of all: they can easily move tangs that fight, and replace them. That means they can have as many tangs as they can keep without fighting, which many cannot do. Some of those tangs also may have been together since babies. Second, yes tangs are possible in a tank that size. Long term I would personally say no. But it depends more on the rock work, feeding, and tankmate aggression. Most stores don’t keep those number of tangs long term due to aggression or overcrowding.

I would stay away from purple tangs, blue tangs, and any powder, naso, mimic or other larger tangs. A kole tang or scopas tang might be ok. Post your rock work though, that helps a lot in giving a solid answer since the fish need room.

 

[splashrunner]

thanks for all the replies! here is recent pic of my tank

 

[BryanM]

I think a tomini would be great in your tank.

 

[splashrunner]

I think a tomini would be great in your tank.

alright...im going to look into getting one after the holidays. a good friend of mine who has a much more advanced tank than mine thinks so as well.

 

[Naekuh]

Uhhh.. if u think Tangs are bad... wait til you get to foxfaces...
I think my 150G lagoon might be too small for him even at full length, and i feel bad sometimes.

 

[BryanM]

Uhhh.. if u think Tangs are bad... wait til you get to foxfaces...
I think my 150G lagoon might be too small for him even at full length, and i feel bad sometimes.

Yeah, foxface in a lagoon is a bit rough, mine uses all vertical space in my tank which is 25" tall. Though generally he's in the bottom third.... so I think you're likely good, but they get big :)

 

[Naekuh]

Yeah, foxface in a lagoon is a bit rough, mine uses all vertical space in my tank which is 25" tall. Though generally he's in the bottom third.... so I think you're likely good, but they get big :)

the thing was i got him the same size as my tomini when they were both babies... and i got a tomini for that same reason as they stayed small.
Soon that foxface is now at least 3x if not more. He's almost the size of a medium naso tang. (getting close to 4-5inches)

Lucky for me he has a sleeping spot right below my magnetic coral shelf, and he doesn't seem to have any scars. But seriously... i knew and saw them get big, but i think mine is just abnormal cuz i feed the tank a lot.

 

[Lelegance]

Tomini would be great for that tank. Youll love them! Great algae eaters too.

 

[Lelegance]

thanks for all the replies! here is recent pic of my tank

Tomini will do great in there. Youll love them! Great at eating algae too

 

[PapaFishRocks]

My Tomni and my Clown pair are best buds in my 90g.

 

[all Things Aquatic]

I'm new to the hobby, less than 1 year in. I have a 60 gallon WaterBox and from what all I've read is that my tank is too small from any Tangs. But why is it that every time I go to a fish store I see 50-70 gallon tanks with huge Scopas, Tangs, Angels, etc? When I ask they say all the fish are happy lol Even when I ask "is my tank too small for a Tomini Tang" I'm always told my tank is good for it. I guess they are trying to make a sale?

You need to remember, the tanks at the lfs are really just holding tanks, waiting for a customer to buy the fish and move it to its real home. While you can get away with putting a small tang in a 60 gallon, it would be much happier in a much larger system.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

thanks for all the replies! here is recent pic of my tank

Your tank looks good! If you are ever in doubt about a fish going in your tank, just ask us here and we can give you an answer!

 

[splashrunner]

Your tank looks good! If you are ever in doubt about a fish going in your tank, just ask us here and we can give you an answer!

thank you! this community is really great!