"Tang Police"... LOL

[CONSPICILLUM]

It looks like I'm gonna have to attend the Tang Police Academy and get my badge. :lolspin:

It seems many want to justify tank sizes well below average recommended volumes, and insist overstocking is fine cuz "This is 'Murica, and I can put whatever I want in my tank."

Old story, I know. But we all know everyone plans to upgrade, and puts multiple juveniles in a tank that will not ultimately accomodate them.

My simple position is that there is a range of recommended parameters for tank size, overstocking, and long-term homing of all species.

Tangs seems to get a lot of attention, but this is a universal issue.

This should be avoided:

345915

:lolspin:

[fairl80z]

Remember this is America that equals freedom lol

[CONSPICILLUM]

Remember this is America that equals freedom lol

Freedom is the power and privilege to do what one ought; not the entitlement to do whatever one wants at any cost.

[Rallos]

I don't get it. That tang looks very happy.

[fairl80z]

Murcia

[Jrambo88]

He does look very healthy

[Spork3245]

It's gonna be a grand ol' time when Finding Dory releases this summer. Clownfish are easy, you can stick them in a 10 gallon. Blue Hippo Tangs? Not so much. They need ginormous tanks of 8' in length. :lol:

[zchauvin]

Anything smaller than the ocean is technically too small. Hard to say what is a "appropriate size" when your talking about open ocean compared to a glass box.

[gbru316]

Anything smaller than the ocean is technically too small. Hard to say what is a "appropriate size" when your talking about open ocean compared to a glass box.

Might as well take this all the way and say that if it fits, it works.

No, it's been proven time and again that certain fish react in certain ways when enclosed in an excessively small space. Tangs, in particular, often become aggressive (to the detriment of other inhabitants). So yes, while an aquarium is not ideal, there is sufficient evidence that established minimums do provide a practical use.

[Spork3245]

Anything smaller than the ocean is technically too small. Hard to say what is a "appropriate size" when your talking about open ocean compared to a glass box.

This is flawed logic. In too small of a space fish will become stressed and act differently due to it. We are discussing space requirements where large, active fish, such as tangs, are not stressed due to limited space. A stressed fish may get sick more often or may simply show [extra] aggressive behavior; a responsible reef/fish keeper actively tries to prevent such things.

[melvinakshay]

tanglivesmatter

[fairl80z]

4 foot or 8 foot ? You can swim an 8 foot tank once or a 4 foot tank twice . The fish still swims the same distance

[zchauvin]

This is flawed logic. In too small of a space fish will become stressed and act differently due to it. We are discussing space requirements where large, active fish, such as tangs, are not stressed due to limited space. A stressed fish may get sick more often or may simply show [extra] aggressive behavior; a responsible reef/fish keeper actively tries to prevent such things.


Had a blue tang in a 40B for four years with several other fish and it was never stressed, ate, never aggressive, and never got sick. Fish didn't die, it went to another tank where it still lives. Flawed logic or not, the fish was happier and healthier than other fish in much larger systems where the owners were morons. Taking something that swims miles a day and putting it in a 3' box or a 8' box makes no difference. Both are smaller, and we will never provide the same area. When we stop taking fish out of the oceans for our own benefit then it'll fix the issue, until then we can only do our best to keep them happy. Responsibility and husbandry will do more for a fish than a bigger tank.

Not being "that guy" but honestly, lots of people always bring up the tang thing and are in a hurry to make sure people know they are doing something wrong but will go buy a single PBT and put in there 180 thinking they are "doing it right" when the fish in the wild is a found in large groups and grazing for miles at a time.

[fairl80z]

Had a blue tang in a 40B for four years with several other fish and it was never stressed, ate, never aggressive, and never got sick. Fish didn't die, it went to another tank where it still lives. Flawed logic or not, the fish was happier and healthier than other fish in much larger systems where the owners were morons. Taking something that swims miles a day and putting it in a 3' box or a 8' box makes no difference. Both are smaller, and we will never provide the same area. When we stop taking fish out of the oceans for our own benefit then it'll fix the issue, until then we can only do our best to keep them happy. Responsibility and husbandry will do more for a fish than a bigger tank.

Not being "that guy" but honestly, lots of people always bring up the tang thing and are in a hurry to make sure people know they are doing something wrong but will go buy a single PBT and put in there 180 thinking they are "doing it right" when the fish in the wild is a found in large groups and grazing for miles at a time.

What I have been trying to say for ever![emoji106][emoji225][emoji51]

[ginpang]

Can I interest some of you of to live in a 10'x10' cell for a while to see how you feel about space afterwards? [emoji12]

[Spork3245]

Had a blue tang in a 40B for four years with several other fish and it was never stressed, ate, never aggressive, and never got sick. Fish didn't die, it went to another tank where it still lives. Flawed logic or not, the fish was happier and healthier than other fish in much larger systems where the owners were morons. Taking something that swims miles a day and putting it in a 3' box or a 8' box makes no difference. Both are smaller, and we will never provide the same area. When we stop taking fish out of the oceans for our own benefit then it'll fix the issue, until then we can only do our best to keep them happy. Responsibility and husbandry will do more for a fish than a bigger tank.

Not being "that guy" but honestly, lots of people always bring up the tang thing and are in a hurry to make sure people know they are doing something wrong but will go buy a single PBT and put in there 180 thinking they are "doing it right" when the fish in the wild is a found in large groups and grazing for miles at a time.

So you had a nearly 1' long fish in a 3' tank?
We are talking adult sizes here, not juvenile. A small blue tang in a 40b is fine... Untill it out grows the tank, and it will.

[Jeff4777]

I'm putting 5-6 tangs in my tank :). Its okay though officer, I got a permit from the city.

[CONSPICILLUM]

Murcia

Do you mean Murica, Jan Brady? Haha.

[CONSPICILLUM]

It's gonna be a grand ol' time when Finding Dory releases this summer. Clownfish are easy, you can stick them in a 10 gallon. Blue Hippo Tangs? Not so much. They need ginormous tanks of 8' in length. :lol:

Might as well take this all the way and say that if it fits, it works.

No, it's been proven time and again that certain fish react in certain ways when enclosed in an excessively small space. Tangs, in particular, often become aggressive (to the detriment of other inhabitants). So yes, while an aquarium is not ideal, there is sufficient evidence that established minimums do provide a practical use.

This is flawed logic. In too small of a space fish will become stressed and act differently due to it. We are discussing space requirements where large, active fish, such as tangs, are not stressed due to limited space. A stressed fish may get sick more often or may simply show [extra] aggressive behavior; a responsible reef/fish keeper actively tries to prevent such things.

Can I interest some of you of to live in a 10'x10' cell for a while to see how you feel about space afterwards? [emoji12]

So you had a nearly 1' long fish in a 3' tank?
We are talking adult sizes here, not juvenile. A small blue tang in a 40b is fine... Untill it out grows the tank, and it will.

^ Look. Rational and reasonable people who have a clue. ^

[gbru316]

Had a blue tang in a 40B for four years with several other fish and it was never stressed, ate, never aggressive, and never got sick. Fish didn't die, it went to another tank where it still lives. Flawed logic or not, the fish was happier and healthier than other fish in much larger systems where the owners were morons. Taking something that swims miles a day and putting it in a 3' box or a 8' box makes no difference. Both are smaller, and we will never provide the same area. When we stop taking fish out of the oceans for our own benefit then it'll fix the issue, until then we can only do our best to keep them happy. Responsibility and husbandry will do more for a fish than a bigger tank.

Not being "that guy" but honestly, lots of people always bring up the tang thing and are in a hurry to make sure people know they are doing something wrong but will go buy a single PBT and put in there 180 thinking they are "doing it right" when the fish in the wild is a found in large groups and grazing for miles at a time.
There are exceptions to every rule. You lucked out. You need to understand that. Advocating for large fish in small tanks is irresponsible because the overwhelming number of people who try to replicate you will fail. Plain and simple.

Your anecdote about your fish being happy while a fish in a suitable tank is not because of poor husbandry is hogwash. Neglect comes in many forms. Given good husbandry, a large fish will do better in a larger tank every. Single. Time. If you'd like to argue that, that's your prerogative. This is 'Murica, after all. Where everyone has the ability to find their own soapbox.



And yes, I'd be much happier in a cage where i could lie down and take a few steps around vs a cage where i could only stand and spin in circles.

'Murica.... smdh

[CONSPICILLUM]

Anything smaller than the ocean is technically too small.

There is no aquarium trade species that requires the territory of an entire ocean. And raising this point only means one cannot hope to justify small tanks.

Hard to say what is a "appropriate size" when your talking about open ocean compared to a glass box.

No, it's not. But you are. You're saying smaller is okay, which is at odds with your attempted comparison.

[CONSPICILLUM]

Had a blue tang in a 40B for four years with several other fish and it was never stressed, ate, never aggressive, and never got sick. Fish didn't die, it went to another tank where it still lives. Flawed logic or not, the fish was happier and healthier than other fish in much larger systems where the owners were morons. Taking something that swims miles a day and putting it in a 3' box or a 8' box makes no difference. Both are smaller, and we will never provide the same area. When we stop taking fish out of the oceans for our own benefit then it'll fix the issue, until then we can only do our best to keep them happy. Responsibility and husbandry will do more for a fish than a bigger tank.

Why the false dichotomy? Responsibility and husbandry in a larger tank will always trump responsibility and husbandry in a smaller tank.

Face it. Most are trying to "get away" with minimums because of financial and maintenance shortfalls. Most are inexperienced, and greedy to crowd as inexpensive a setup as possible. The majority will never upgrade when necessary.

Not being "that guy" but honestly, lots of people always bring up the tang thing and are in a hurry to make sure people know they are doing something wrong but will go buy a single PBT and put in there 180 thinking they are "doing it right" when the fish in the wild is a found in large groups and grazing for miles at a time.

You're sorta being "that guy", though.

If natural habitat is miles, then big tank trumps small tank every time. And a PBT (or Hepatus or whatever) needing a 180 also gives the same room for more fish in that 180.

[CONSPICILLUM]

The problem starts with comparing juvenile to adult sizes for tank size.

Of course a 2" Naso will work initially in a 75g, as would almost any 2" fish (with or without a few similar size tankmates). And actual later upgrades to larger tanks are fine.

The problem is how few times that happens in reality, despite the best intentions or plans.

And the only time it comes up is when the Tang Police respond to questions from those who undersize and overstock and then ask questions about the foolish things they've already done and are wanting approval AND problem-solving.

[CONSPICILLUM]

What I have been trying to say for ever![emoji106][emoji225][emoji51]

We know. Sharks in shoes. Tangs in toilets. Limit aquarium size as much as possible. Cram and scram.

:uzi::crazy1::eek1:

[CONSPICILLUM]

I'm putting 5-6 tangs in my tank :). Its okay though officer, I got a permit from the city.

Gee, I hope it's at least a 10g for guppies.

Thugs everywhere, I tell ya.:bigeyes: