Blue regal tang - My tank to small?

R

RyanPaDe

[I wont be adding any more fish to my tank for a little while, but i was just wondering about Blue Regal Tangs. If i got one that was real small would it be ok? How fast do they grow, because i know it would eventually get too big? Is it a bad idea?]
 
[What size was your tank again? Isn't it like a 29 gallon? Regal tangs require AT LEAST a 75 gallon tank, better if it's like a 100. Unless you plan on upgrading to a much larger tank very soon (they will grow fast), it is a very bad idea.]



Edited By Reefy Em on 1095377927
 
[A 58 gallon is not big enough for these fish either. The adult size of these fish is about twelve inches. They need a large tank with a lot of swimming room.]
 
[90% of tangs should require a 6 foot turn around at least. By that I mean two deminsions length and width must equal or exceed 6 foot.

The reason is tangs spend all day swimming the coral reefs. They are very fast swimmers. Have you ever had a cramp while you were swimming? It was likly caused by lack of oxygen to the muscle tissue. Tang push water across the gills by swimming. The faster the motion the more oxygen.

For us while a cramp in the water can be fatal it usually isn't... for a fish it most assuredly is.

I know of people keeping yellow tangs for years in 55 gallon tanks. I don't know of another alternative for your friend. I don't know of any for a 29 gallon tank. But, I have only had a yellow tang and 2 orange shoulders so I am no expert.]
 
[I did notice that Bolis03 had a small regal in his tank and it isnt very large. Thats why i was curious. YOu can see it in the picture he posted under his thread on his red algea problem]
 
[They grow fast. I got mine about 1.5 yrs ago. He was the size of a silver dollar then, slightly smaller than the yellow tang. Now, he's about 5" across from end to end. Also, now larger than the yellow tang.]
 
[Dispite what most people think about the longevity of marine fish ( they can live well over 10 years in captivity and in some cases even longer ) if you can live with the fact that it will die prematurely then go for it. I can hook you up with one that is the size of a quarter and he will live for a year or so in your small tank if you take care of it. People always respond in disbelief when I tell them that my percula clowns are around 12-13 years old.]
 
[if you honestly think its small enough to be ok in my 29 for the time being i would love to take him in. I plan on getting a bigger tank in the next yr to yr and a half. If that falls through i know someone with a 125 that would take it.]
 
[Maroons are very teritorial. I wouldn't put him in with one in a tank that small. Ultimately it is your decision. IMHO I think the marron would most likely kill the tang by stressing it to the point of death.]
 
[Im trying to find a new home for him RIGHT NOW
I made a post. If no one takes her i will sell her back. HOw much would oyu like for the tang??]
 
[Like David said, it's obviously your choice, but why not wait until you get your new tank in a few months to get the types of fish that will be miserable in a tank that small?

You've said in other threads that this is your 'learner' tank. Why make the learning more difficult by housing a fish that will be stressed out and unhappy that he has nowhere to swim? There are TONS of beautiful fish that stay small and would be perfect for a tank your size.]
 
[I'm not sure about that...a lot of the reason people say to have a big tank for tangs is because they absolutely need and love to swim, not because they are big (although that does factor into it).

Like I said, why not just wait until you have a big enough tank? There will be a million available in all different sizes then, just like now.]
 
[Ryan again it's a breathing issue not a size issue.

These are beautiful intelligent creatures. Unlike fresh water fish I consider them real pets they interact with me. My wife balls every time one dies.

It's not that you can't keep one; it's a question of how long you can keep one. It's not a question of if it will die but when it will die.

Look if you want to get one for a week and trade it like the Mandarin go for it. There are 20 people that would be happy to take it off your hands.

I think the point is based on your questions (including skimmer) is you need to upgrade to a larger tank.

As far as the regal tang I did the math and I can't see reasonable how you can accomadate one in smaller than a 120 gallon tank?

Though live aquaria says 70... by my previous statement that tank would need to be 48" *24" * 14" tall??? or 60"*12"*22" tall?

Wetwebmedia.com says 100+ gallon tank.]
 
[alright i have decided on this (i think)

Ill ditch the maroon clown and find a pair that is less agressive
Ill forget about the regal tang
And i will probably limit myself to one or at the most two more fish after the clowns.

Possibly a coral beauty and a neon goby]
 
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