Tang in 55

[gcourtney13]

I was gifted a 55 gallon tank of while I save up and prepare for a 125 or bigger tank. My wife and I really want a tang of some sort. How long could I keep a purple or yellow tang in a 55 before it needs a bigger tank?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Will it be very small when you first acquire he fish-- and will it be the only fish in the 55?

 

[gcourtney13]

Yes tiny but would probably be in with other fish. Mostly fish planning right now so no solid plans.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Be careful not to overcrowd the tank (human nature--we all love fish), because with sand, rocks, etc., and the limited swim-room for the Tang you already don't have as much room as you think. That said, I would say the growth rate on a tiny Yellow or Purple should give you a ballpark of about a good 8 months. That's my 2-cents. A lot hangs on how certain your plans to get a larger tang really are.

 

[CHSUB]

Year or longer, if only tang and no other aggressive hostile tank mates maybe indefinitely?

 

[exnisstech]

A yellow could be housed long term IMO. I would pass in the purple they get pretty big.

Personally I would stock for the tank you have not the one you plan to have. Often plans change as life happens and the fish suffer because of it.

 

[Should I]

just wait for the upgrade the upgrade will happen faster then

 

[littlefoxx]

I personally think a 55 is way too small for any tang unless its a grow out tank to move to a bigger tank thats already set up.