Fish Store has 5 gallon nano with hippo tang for 3+ years.?.?

[Fibinotchi]

At a fish store I visited they have a hippo tang in a five gallon with 2 clown fish that has been in there for 3+ years without really growing, it is about 2.5 inches. I realize this is controversial but what do you think about it. He said he feeds it 2 pellets a day which keeps it small. Is this hurting the fish or what?? It however was one of the most healthy looking tanks I have seen with many beautiful species of coral. I just don't know what to think about it. Sorry, I just caught my misspelling of tang in the thread.

[MrTuskfish]

At a fish store I visited they have a hippo tank in a five gallon with 2 clown fish that has been in there for 3+ years without really growing, it is about 2.5 inches. I realize this is controversial but what do you think about it. He said he feeds it 2 pellets a day which keeps it small. Is this hurting the fish or what?? It however was one of the most healthy looking tanks I have seen with many beautiful species of coral. I just don't know what to think about it.

I assume this is what they TOLD you; I doubt its true. I can't imagine any tang handling the stress of that confinement for any period of time.

[Fibinotchi]

I assume this is what they TOLD you; I doubt its true. I can't imagine any tang handling the stress of that confinement for any period of time.

That is kind of what I was thinking but they are very well known in their area and a really reputable store that seems to cut no corners on anything. All their saltwater stuff is beautiful. That is why I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it.

[Ninong]

...they are very well known in their area and a really reputable store...
No reputable store would keep two clownfish in a five-gallon tank much less a tang. They sound like a bunch of irresponsible idiots to me.

[MrTuskfish]

No reputable store would keep two clownfish in a five-gallon tank much less a tang. They sound like a bunch of irresponsible idiots to me.

You are gentler on them than I would be; but sure are right. It may be possible to keep 2 clowns alive (barely), especially tank raised, in a 5 gal. But what a terrible example to customers; they sound like the kind of store that was selling hundreds of little "Nemos" in goldfish bowls when the movie came out. RE: The Tang. Because these fish are programmed to be constantly moving, I just doubt that one could possibly live under these conditions. Also; from everything I've read, SW fish will not naturally stunt their growth to adapt to crowded conditions, unlike FW fish.