Tang in 40 gallon AIO

[tirish]

I know tangs in a tank my size is not recommended. We plan on moving into roughly 2 years and I plan to upgrade to a larger tank then. I’d love to add a blue tang to my tank. Is adding a baby tang ok in my current tank with the plan to upgrade tanks in roughly 2 years?

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

no.

 

[Reefer Brent]

I have a 40 and always have to tell my daughter no Dory whenever we go to the LFS.

 

[edsbeaker]

Not a good idea.
It’s hard to imagine how fast a fish can get too big for a tank.

I bought the tinniest tank bred Hippo tang and yellow tang about a year ago. They were the size of a quarter. They are already larger then the size of my hand. A baby tang will likely outgrow a 40 gallon within 3 months!

 

[PhishEDELIC]

Yes, if you have a well established tank, get a tiny specimen and are willing to give it up when it out grows yours tank in less than a year.

The question is are you willing to do all that. Because in reality most people aren’t. I just bought a tiny captive bred purple tank for a 70g tank. It will out grow my tank and I will sell or give it away. But for now I want a tang to keep my algae under control.

 

[Bucrob]

I know tangs in a tank my size is not recommended. We plan on moving into roughly 2 years and I plan to upgrade to a larger tank then. I’d love to add a blue tang to my tank. Is adding a baby tang ok in my current tank with the plan to upgrade tanks in roughly 2 years?

I wouldn't do it in any way shape or form until you have the tank for it. Blue Hippo Tangs get a foot long and need at least a 4 foot tank and thats even pushing it. I wouldn't do a blue tang unless you have a 6 foot in reality as they panic swim and need the space. The Blue Hippos also grow extremely fast from that itty bitty size they come in as. Mine personally I have had for 7 months and purchased as one of those small speciments and has now grown to a good 5-6 inches at least. The only tang I would even consider for a 40 is a Tomini. As an employ of an LFS it is not often that we purchase surrendered tangs or even accept donations of tangs as it is extremely difficult to sell something of that magnitude to people. The majority of people don't have a sizable tank for tangs. If you really want a tang for that tank, go with a tomini, its the smallest and most peaceful tang but even then its still pushing it.

 

[Bucrob]

Yes, if you have a well established tank, get a tiny specimen and are willing to give it up when it out grows yours tank in less than a year.

The question is are you willing to do all that. Because in reality most people aren’t. I just bought a tiny captive bred purple tank for a 70g tank. It will out grow my tank and I will sell or give it away. But for now I want a tang to keep my algae under control.

I disagree with this statement. Rehoming fish in general is difficult especially tangs due to what I mentioned earlier. Its also a question about water quality as tangs are some of the messiest fish you can have. Aggression is also a major factor in small tanks with tangs. Personally even in my 150, my yellow tang is a major bully to any new fish and sometimes even fish hes been with for months. He killed a copperband of mine and when I went to introduce a second I had to put him in sump time out as the copperband acclimated. I would never recommend a tang in anything smaller than 3ft x 1.5ft tank due to their need for swimming room.

 

[PhishEDELIC]

Yes, if you have a well established tank, get a tiny specimen and are willing to give it up when it out grows yours tank in less than a year.

The question is are you willing to do all that. Because in reality most people aren’t. I just bought a tiny captive bred purple tank for a 70g tank. It will out grow my tank and I will sell or give it away. But for now I want a tang to keep my algae under control.

I disagree with this statement. Rehoming fish in general is difficult especially tangs due to what I mentioned earlier. Its also a question about water quality as tangs are some of the messiest fish you can have. Aggression is also a major factor in small tanks with tangs. Personally even in my 150, my yellow tang is a major bully to any new fish and sometimes even fish hes been with for months. He killed a copperband of mine and when I went to introduce a second I had to put him in sump time out as the copperband acclimated. I would never recommend a tang in anything smaller than 3ft x 1.5ft tank due to their need for swimming room.

I agree with you. And the blue hippo tang is easily prone to ich and stress. And you’re right depending on where you live rehoming a fish might not be possible. Every example you gave I agree with. And I personally wouldn’t add a blue tang to a 40g. And I don’t recommend it either. But I’ve been trying in the last couple of years to stop just giving the answer “no”. Because it’s not a yes or no question. Everyone’s setup and tank is different. And everyone’s care of their tank is different. Can someone put a tiny hippo tang in a 40g and have it stay happy and healthy, Yes. Will keeping a tang happy and healthy in a 40g tank result in it outgrowing that tank rapidly, Yes! And is the likely hood that someone is going to rehome or instantly setup a new tank for that fish 0%, YES!!!!

 

[fish_collector]

No one can really say for sure how fast a particular fish will grow, the exception being a vlamingi. I put a 2" hippo into my 4' tank 18 months ago and it is now barely 3". I'd be ok with putting a tiny hippo into a 40 breeder with the notion that it may not make it 2 years before it would need something bigger. If I had to do it again, I'd pass on a hippo altogether, they are so cliche these days and they can be rambunctious and bully other fish, mine does.

At my favorite LFS a few months ago, they had a nice and healthy yellow belly hippo for sale with a sign on the tank that said "I eat corals"

 

[slingfox]

Get fish which work for you 40 gallon now. In two years, if you get a larger tank, get the hippo tang then.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

if you want a hippo to truly be happy you need a 180 or up.

 

[Freenow54]

I know tangs in a tank my size is not recommended. We plan on moving into roughly 2 years and I plan to upgrade to a larger tank then. I’d love to add a blue tang to my tank. Is adding a baby tang ok in my current tank with the plan to upgrade tanks in roughly 2 years?

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO . I COULD DO THIS ALL DAY BUT YOU SEEM SET IN YOUR WAYS

 

[tirish]

Looks like I’m going another direction. Thanks all for the information. Is there another fish you’d recommend me putting in? Brand new to all of this so I’m kind of learning as I go.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

in a 3 foot 40 g you can get away with a flame angel (with caution for coral). Some smaller fairy wrasses would also work. Midas blenny, actually most blennies would be fine. Blennies have so much character.

 

[Freenow54]

Looks like I’m going another direction. Thanks all for the information. Is there another fish you’d recommend me putting in? Brand new to all of this so I’m kind of learning as I go.

Gobies Blennies there are dozens find a reputable LFs

 

[edsbeaker]

Looks like I’m going another direction. Thanks all for the information. Is there another fish you’d recommend me putting in? Brand new to all of this so I’m kind of learning as I go.

It’s great that you are researching before jumping in. That is how you will be successful!

Do you have any fish in there now? If so, what kind? Will you be fish only or do you plan on having coral?

Dwarf angelfish would work. They can sometimes nip at corals, but I have never had any of my flame angels or coral beauties do this in 20+ years.

IMO coral beauties are one of the most underrated and beautiful colored fish.

Blennies are also great fish with lots of personality. The Midas blenny is brightly colored and easy to care for.

Maybe a royal gramma?

 

[tirish]

It’s great that you are researching before jumping in. That is how you will be successful!

Do you have any fish in there now? If so, what kind? Will you be fish only or do you plan on having coral?

Dwarf angelfish would work. They can sometimes nip at corals, but I have never had any of my flame angels or coral beauties do this in 20+ years.

IMO coral beauties are one of the most underrated and beautiful colored fish.

Blennies are also great fish with lots of personality. The Midas blenny is brightly colored and easy to care for.

Maybe a royal gramma?

I have two clowns , a frogspawn and a gsp. Will be adding more coral as I go

 

[edsbeaker]

I have two clowns , a frogspawn and a gsp. Will be adding more coral as I go

You have lots of room for some more fish. I would just look at some online fish stores for appropriate sized fish for your tank size and see what appeals to you.

Here is a good website that has a large selection to look through. It used to be a wonderful place to buy healthy fish but over the last 8-10 years it has really gone down hill. So I’m suggesting you look at it because when you click on a fish it still gives a realistic minimum tank size for each and an idea if it is reef safe. I would not purchase from here myself. The reviews are no longer positive.

https://www.liveaquaria.com/pages/marine-fish
When you have some idea of what you are considering getting, this reef2reef thread is a great place to ask knowledgeable people their thoughts about your choices, compatibility, and overall opinion on if it will work.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/n...for-your-tank-post-here-and-well-help.200605/
Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!!!

 

[Bucrob]

Looks like I’m going another direction. Thanks all for the information. Is there another fish you’d recommend me putting in? Brand new to all of this so I’m kind of learning as I go.

Do a hawkfish like a flame or longnose but only if you dont want shrimp.
Actually you could get away with a hawk and shrimp but add the shrimp first and make sure they are a good size compared to the hawk so they don't see it as food

 

[LeftyReefer]

If you really want a tang, get a tiny tiny tomini tang. They are the smallest tang and grow slower than other tangs.
I put a tiny one in a 45g tank 4 years ago and it still hasn't outgrown the tank. Its still only about 3.5" now. Great fish. Peaceful and grazes algae all day.
After 4 years it's still smaller than my female picasso clown for comparison, which is 6 years old.

A tiny tomini will not outgrow the tank for a number of years.