Tang tank size

[charliereef]

I have a new 5 foot long aquarium (40 gal) coming in for christmas and wanted to ask you guys if I could get 2 tangs for it. I'm thinking of a yellow and tomini, or a tomini and something else (excluding the bigger species obviously, hippos, achilles, convicts, powder blues, etc..). Would that be possible? Im only considering it given the length of the aquarium and basing myself of what I've read from other's experiences. Thank you in advance.

 

[JumboShrimp]

A Tomini, definitely. Some people would debate a Yellow Tang in a tank less than 6-feet, but a 5-foot tank wouldn't bother my conscience, personally. I think he could have a good life.

 

[twentyleagues]

Obviously a bigger tank is better for most fish but a 5' tank should be good for a Tomini and a yellow.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I've had a 40 gallon for years and I've never been tempted to keep tangs in this tank, its just wrong. I tried keeping anthias and 40 gallons is too small for even anthias. 40 gallons is a nano tank and IMO its just wrong to keep tangs here, especially multiple tangs.

 

[albano]

A 5’ 40g tank must be very narrow and short… (60x12? X 12?) ….certainly not a great tank for tangs.

 

[kboogie]

Interesting probably tank dimensions. If you get these two tangs, you will increase your chances of success if you add them at the same time.

Assuming you are able to keep these fish alive for multiple years, you will need a rehoming strategy for the Yellow Tang.

Also, I am going to assume you have oversized filtration. If not then you will end up revoking your fish much sooner than expected.

 

[charliereef]

Interesting probably tank dimensions. If you get these two tangs, you will increase your chances of success if you add them at the same time.

Assuming you are able to keep these fish alive for multiple years, you will need a rehoming strategy for the Yellow Tang.

Also, I am going to assume you have oversized filtration. If not then you will end up revoking your fish much sooner than expected.

Yeah I got a new filter coming in as well, that is taken care of. My concern is regarding the size of the tank only. I'll keep reading what people have to say but in case I decide to keep them, I will take your advice to add them at the same time. Thank you for your input.

 

[charliereef]

A 5’ 40g tank must be very narrow and short… (60x12? X 12?) ….certainly not a great tank for tangs.

Will consider , thank you for your input.

 

[charliereef]

I've had a 40 gallon for years and I've never been tempted to keep tangs in this tank, its just wrong. I tried keeping anthias and 40 gallons is too small for even anthias. 40 gallons is a nano tank and IMO its just wrong to keep tangs here, especially multiple tangs.

Yeah I get what you mean. I only got the idea from an lfs I visited recently and they had this long tank with some tangs (naso, hippo, gem, etc) I thought maybe since they are the same length I could house the smaller ones like a tomini. Like I said in another reply, I'll continue reading what people have to say. Thank you very much for your input.

 

[twentyleagues]

Oh wow how'd I miss the 40g part?!!! No Tangs! Forget I said 5' is ok it is if its 90g+ maybe.
So what are the dimensions? 60"x?x? I honestly have never seen a 5' 40g tank. Maybe a custom frag tank thats like 10" tall or something but even then I think the one I am thinking of was a 60g, still no good for long term care of a tang.

 

[charliereef]

Oh wow how'd I miss the 40g part?!!! No Tangs! Forget I said 5' is ok it is if its 90g+ maybe.
So what are the dimensions? 60"x?x? I honestly have never seen a 5' 40g tank. Maybe a custom frag tank thats like 10" tall or something but even then I think the one I am thinking of was a 60g, still no good for long term care of a tang.

Dimensions are 60in x 14in x 16in tall. No tangs then.

 

[rustoreefer]

Hello. For long term i would say no! But i have a 47 gallon tideline i bought used, it had a purple tang in it about 2-3" She seems perfectly happy. I offer plenty of seaweed for grazing. I know in the long run she will have to be set free in a bigger tank. So in my opinion do what you want. Dont let these people tell you how wrong it is. Start small and let them grow! Until they outgrow your system hope this helps

 

[albano]

Dimensions are 60in x 14in x 16in tall. No tangs then.

Most people would call that 60g….

 

[twentyleagues]

Most people would call that 60g….

yup 58.18g using outside dimensions. I may call that 55g but tomato/tamato lol

 

[exnisstech]

Agree with above, 60g not 40g is what it would most likely be marketed as. That size could work for a tomini and yellow. I've never kept a tomini but I've read they can get mean. Not a recommendation but I keep a yellow and a 2 spot bristletooth in a 36x22x22" tank and they get along great and have been together over 2 years. The yellow is a wild caught and was added almost a year before I added the 2 spot.
IMO having a rock scape designed for housing fish is critical to keeping aggression at bay. Over feeding also helps. Not many things will bring aggression out more than being cramped and hungry.
In addition to that tank I have a 84x30x25" tank that I can move fish into if things don't work out or I may not have tried two in the smaller tank.

This is the tank layout. I can post a video showing how the fish behave in the tank if your interested.
If your planning a tank with minimal rock or an NSA type of scape I would pass on tangs. Those tanks are designed to be visually appealing not to provide a habitat for the fish. JMO

 

[albano]

yup 58.18g using outside dimensions. I may call that 55g but tomato/tamato lol

I have to tell you, that in my ~70 years of fish keeping, you’re the first person to round down their aquarium volume!

But, potato/patato lol

(Just kidding, not meant as an insult)

 

[Australian_Reef]

That is very strange dimensions for a tank. You have a link to the tank you have coming?

 

[twentyleagues]

I have to tell you, that in my ~70 years of fish keeping, you’re the first person to round down their aquarium volume!

But, potato/patato lol

(Just kidding, not meant as an insult)

Yeah they broke the mold when they made me.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I have to retract what I said about the Yellow Tang. My eye only caught that the tank was 5-feet long... I did not catch that it was only a 40-gallon tank! (Strange volume.) Sorry to all.

 

[charliereef]

Agree with above, 60g not 40g is what it would most likely be marketed as. That size could work for a tomini and yellow. I've never kept a tomini but I've read they can get mean. Not a recommendation but I keep a yellow and a 2 spot bristletooth in a 36x22x22" tank and they get along great and have been together over 2 years. The yellow is a wild caught and was added almost a year before I added the 2 spot.
IMO having a rock scape designed for housing fish is critical to keeping aggression at bay. Over feeding also helps. Not many things will bring aggression out more than being cramped and hungry.
In addition to that tank I have a 84x30x25" tank that I can move fish into if things don't work out or I may not have tried two in the smaller tank.

This is the tank layout. I can post a video showing how the fish behave in the tank if your interested.
If your planning a tank with minimal rock or an NSA type of scape I would pass on tangs. Those tanks are designed to be visually appealing not to provide a habitat for the fish. JMO

You make a great point about the importance of the rockscape to reduce aggression. I had planned for the tank to have a ton of rock and divide the space in the middle so they could do laps around the scape and swim between the rock.
I am interested in the video of your tank, think you can send it to me?