Tank Size For Adult HT

[Zionas]

What would be the tank size needed to keep a Harlequin Tusk for its entire lifespan? Would be best for time owners to comment. Do they grow all that quickly and are they as fast paced in their swimming styles / open water as many Tangs are?

 

[blaxsun]

I guess the question to ask would be: what is the size of your tank?
@vetteguy53081 has one and can probably expand on their behavior.

 

[Zionas]

64” x 24” x 24” (1.60m x 0.60m x 0.60m)

 

[vetteguy53081]

What would be the tank size needed to keep a Harlequin Tusk for its entire lifespan? Would be best for time owners to comment. Do they grow all that quickly and are they as fast paced in their swimming styles / open water as many Tangs are?

No LESS than a 125g, preferable 180. They swim the entire real estate and require a retreat/hiding area and will move coral around is space is limited to claim an area in the tank.
They do well with tangs but dont like their space invaded by them and as for growth. . . call it moderate- not fast nor slow

 

[Zionas]

I know the Aussie ones generally come in at a decent size, but if I start with a small one from Biota would you expect them to top out much larger than 6-7” in captivity?

Do you think 64” x 24” x 24” would be too small to keep one for life?

 

[albano]

I consider the HT as a ‘Must Have’ fish, been keeping them since 1973… many have lived long lives in my tank and none have ever grown too large. I think that most of the really big ones were big when they were purchased.

 

[Zionas]

That may well be the case. If your tank’s a 450 (I think?), and they don’t get that large.

How big did they top out for you? (Especially if you‘ve had any for over a decade)

It’s kinda like with Yellow Tangs. Online max size says 8”, but the ones raised in tanks seem to on average not exceed 5” much.