tang police in here please

footballdude2k3 · 02/28/2010, 06:40 PM

hello, I was going to get a 40b, then i went to my lfs and saw my first hippo tang in person. It was love at first sight. I now want one more than i did before. I have read that they can get quite large, and I do not want to put added stress on it. Bottomline I am now thinking about getting a 72 bow instead, but only if it is big enough for a tang. What are your thoughts?

thanks,
Paul

gia3161 · 02/28/2010, 06:43 PM

what are the dimensions of the 72?

footballdude2k3 · 02/28/2010, 06:45 PM

about 48x18x23

AngelsAnonymous · 02/28/2010, 06:45 PM

I am by no means the tang police but no way will a hippo do well in a 72g. The only tang's suitable for that tank would be some bristletooth tangs. You could have a small baby hippo in a 72g for a little while but you'd soon have to give it away,so what's the point. Your doing the right thing by doing your research first though.

Korrine · 02/28/2010, 07:30 PM

I saw a decent sized blue tang in a 75g standard tank and trust me it looked like it didn't belong there. Was probably 10" or so. Just looked too big compared to the size of the tank.

Are you able to get a 5 ft tank? Maybe look through the classifieds. Good deals to be had sometimes.

KMP · 02/28/2010, 07:34 PM

ditto - depending on initial size he'd be fine for a little while; however, you'd eventually have to find him a home. had a buddy who had a hippo in a 90g - it got huge; he's now living in a 180g and happy.

jcgso · 02/28/2010, 07:35 PM

I have to agree with eveyone else. A 72 is too small. I had a Hippo in a 120 and had to get rid of it. hHe was almost nine inches long and seemed miserable in a 4' long tank. Not to mention it kept knocking over all of my corals.

footballdude2k3 · 02/28/2010, 08:55 PM

ok thanks guys, but like i said i didnt know and wanted to be safe to make sure it was happy thanks!

TampaReefer79 · 02/28/2010, 10:51 PM

Double post, nothing to see here!

TampaReefer79 · 02/28/2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korrine

I saw a decent sized blue tang in a 75g standard tank and trust me it looked like it didn't belong there. Was probably 10" or so. Just looked too big compared to the size of the tank.

Are you able to get a 5 ft tank? Maybe look through the classifieds. Good deals to be had sometimes.

Wow, a 10" hippo in a 75 is just gross. I hope you told the person that the fish was way too big for the tank.

And forget 5', I'd shoot for at least 6' for a hippo. You're talking about a huge fish.

ctrl+f · 03/01/2010, 02:00 AM

Hippo tangs are my favourite fish but I will never have space for one.

Let's start a selective breeding program and make some pygmy hippos, okay?

footballdude2k3 · 03/01/2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrl+f

Hippo tangs are my favourite fish but I will never have space for one.

Let's start a selective breeding program and make some pygmy hippos, okay?

ill allow it

sanchoy · 03/01/2010, 12:29 PM

but be good for a couple of years in 72, but not long ..

officially marked by the:

L8 2 RISE · 03/01/2010, 02:03 PM

I have a ~3 inch hippo in my 75 and it does just fine.

shaunt · 03/03/2010, 12:14 AM

If you got a small one it would be fine for quite awhile. Its not gonna be 6"+ anytime soon. By then you will have your plans for a 180+ like everyone else that gets stuck on that damn slippery slope

silverfly · 03/03/2010, 05:51 AM

Heres an idea. If you love tangs, you will never be happy until you have a tank big enough to house the fish you want to keep. Why not keep saving and then go for a bigger tang sized tank? Or is size a problem?

Patroklos · 03/03/2010, 07:16 AM

A Hippo would be fine in a 4' tank. It might not be optimal, obviously any fish likes more swimming room, but don't be overly concerned with the doom and gloom crowd. Its not like it will be unhappy there, just don't add any other large fish. I have a PBT in a 65g and not only is it doing just fine, it is the healthiest specimen I have ever seen in person.

In 5+ years when it starts to reach its maximum size you might start to have a problem, but this is reefing, you will either not have a tank at all by then or one three times larger

Toddrtrex · 03/03/2010, 10:21 AM

If a blue tang (( Paracanthurus hepatus )) doesn't outgrow a 4' tank in a year (( excluding starting with the tiny tiny ones )), then you don't have a healthy fish.

IMO, it is a very poor idea to try one in a 4' tank. Just wait until you have a proper sized tank.

ReefKeeper2009 · 03/03/2010, 11:34 AM

I also agree that a small hippo would be fine for a little while in a 4' tank. I am in no way advocating keeping the fish in there for the duration of its life time though. I have a 3 inch purple tang in my 90 and he is doing just fine. As long as the tang is small and you are able to make the next step into a bigger tank tank when it comes time I see no problems. Tony

Toddrtrex · 03/03/2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefKeeper2009

I also agree that a small hippo would be fine for a little while in a 4' tank. I am in no way advocating keeping the fish in there for the duration of its life time though. I have a 3 inch purple tang in my 90 and he is doing just fine. As long as the tang is small and you are able to make the next step into a bigger tank tank when it comes time I see no problems. Tony

From personal experience, that "bigger" tank doesn't always happen. I should have had my big tank by now, but life got in the way. I had had a purple tang, that was going to be moved into the bigger tank... I had to sell it, which wasn't fun; catching it and having to get rid of a fish that I had grown attached to. It was in my 75, and the last couple months that I had it (( was about 4" )), it was a holy terror -- which is common for tang in tanks that aren't big enough.

ReefKeeper2009 · 03/03/2010, 12:47 PM

I see what you mean Toddrtrex and I agree sometimes life gets in the way. My purple isn't a terror yet he is in there with three potters. Anyways sorry to hijack this thread.I think that footballdude2k3 is fine just so long as he is prepared for when the fish gets bigger down the line. Tony

Patroklos · 03/03/2010, 12:51 PM

Due to my job my tank is disestablished every three years max, so I never really worry about what things will look like longer term that that. However, if a fish is healthy then it is healthy, there is no logic whatsoever in applying theoretical rules when the conflict with observed reality. That hippo will not even approach its full size for years, there is no harm at all in giving it a happy home that will be fine for that period of time.

jmaneyapanda · 03/03/2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patroklos

Due to my job my tank is disestablished every three years max, so I never really worry about what things will look like longer term that that. However, if a fish is healthy then it is healthy, there is no logic whatsoever in applying theoretical rules when the conflict with observed reality. That hippo will not even approach its full size for years, there is no harm at all in giving it a happy home that will be fine for that period of time.

How do you determine it to be absolutely "healthy"? Does a fish that paces constantly desreve a tag of "healthy" if it doesnt show infection or parasite? Does a fish that hides from lager aggressive fish get the term "healthy"?

I am not attacking you, but merely showing the extreme vagueness to your claims of polar black and white.

Furthermore, if you completely redo after maximum 3 years, you are the exception, not the rule. So, offering advice of your decision making parameters is rather inapplicable. People in Ecuador can wear shorts and tshirts every day, but they cant suggest that people in Alaska do so, applicably.

jmaneyapanda · 03/03/2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefKeeper2009

I see what you mean Toddrtrex and I agree sometimes life gets in the way. My purple isn't a terror yet he is in there with three potters. Anyways sorry to hijack this thread.I think that footballdude2k3 is fine just so long as he is prepared for when the fish gets bigger down the line. Tony

I would disagree. Why buy a common fish now, when you "plan to go bigger down the line"? Wait until youve gone bigger, and then buy the fish. Theyll still be available.

Toddrtrex · 03/03/2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patroklos

Due to my job my tank is disestablished every three years max, so I never really worry about what things will look like longer term that that. However, if a fish is healthy then it is healthy, there is no logic whatsoever in applying theoretical rules when the conflict with observed reality. That hippo will not even approach its full size for years, there is no harm at all in giving it a happy home that will be fine for that period of time.

No, it won't reach its full size in 3 years, but it will for sure outgrow a 4' tank in 3 years. And if it doesn't, then something is surely wrong.

02/28/2010, 06:40 PM	#1
footballdude2k3 acan whore Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,265	tang police in here please hello, I was going to get a 40b, then i went to my lfs and saw my first hippo tang in person. It was love at first sight. I now want one more than i did before. I have read that they can get quite large, and I do not want to put added stress on it. Bottomline I am now thinking about getting a 72 bow instead, but only if it is big enough for a tang. What are your thoughts? thanks, Paul

02/28/2010, 07:30 PM	#5
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,307 Blog Entries: 1	I saw a decent sized blue tang in a 75g standard tank and trust me it looked like it didn't belong there. Was probably 10" or so. Just looked too big compared to the size of the tank. Are you able to get a 5 ft tank? Maybe look through the classifieds. Good deals to be had sometimes. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

02/28/2010, 07:34 PM	#6
KMP Wag More; Bark Less Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 3,606	ditto - depending on initial size he'd be fine for a little while; however, you'd eventually have to find him a home. had a buddy who had a hippo in a 90g - it got huge; he's now living in a 180g and happy. __________________ Kenny Current Tank Info: 70g Shallow Reef [Home]; 15g Starfire Cube [Office]

02/28/2010, 07:35 PM	#7
jcgso Saltwater Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Posts: 523	I have to agree with eveyone else. A 72 is too small. I had a Hippo in a 120 and had to get rid of it. hHe was almost nine inches long and seemed miserable in a 4' long tank. Not to mention it kept knocking over all of my corals. __________________ Well dear, it was free...almost...sorta...kind of...I'm sorry, I'll never spend another penny on my tanks again...this week. Current Tank Info: 120G SPS Reef

03/01/2010, 12:29 PM	#13
sanchoy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Close to the ocean Posts: 908	but be good for a couple of years in 72, but not long .. officially marked by the: __________________ 250 gallon.. tangs are the best.. the po po is not. Current Tank Info: 250 reef

02/28/2010, 06:43 PM	#2
gia3161 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 68	what are the dimensions of the 72?

02/28/2010, 06:45 PM	#3
footballdude2k3 acan whore Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,265	about 48x18x23

02/28/2010, 06:45 PM	#4
AngelsAnonymous Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 195	I am by no means the tang police but no way will a hippo do well in a 72g. The only tang's suitable for that tank would be some bristletooth tangs. You could have a small baby hippo in a 72g for a little while but you'd soon have to give it away,so what's the point. Your doing the right thing by doing your research first though.

02/28/2010, 08:55 PM	#8
footballdude2k3 acan whore Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,265	ok thanks guys, but like i said i didnt know and wanted to be safe to make sure it was happy thanks!

02/28/2010, 10:51 PM	#9
TampaReefer79 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 3,474	Double post, nothing to see here!

03/01/2010, 02:00 AM	#11
ctrl+f Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 175	Hippo tangs are my favourite fish but I will never have space for one. Let's start a selective breeding program and make some pygmy hippos, okay?

03/01/2010, 02:03 PM	#14
L8 2 RISE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 168	I have a ~3 inch hippo in my 75 and it does just fine. __________________ Sam Current Tank Info: 260 gallon system with a 75 gallon reef display, 100 gallon refugium, 60 gallon stock tank, 20 gallon acclimation/viewing tank. Hopefully in the near future: 2ft cube cuttlefish display tank, 40g br tank for cuttlefish

03/03/2010, 12:14 AM	#15
shaunt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Visalia,CA Posts: 193	If you got a small one it would be fine for quite awhile. Its not gonna be 6"+ anytime soon. By then you will have your plans for a 180+ like everyone else that gets stuck on that damn slippery slope

03/03/2010, 05:51 AM	#16
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 580	Heres an idea. If you love tangs, you will never be happy until you have a tank big enough to house the fish you want to keep. Why not keep saving and then go for a bigger tang sized tank? Or is size a problem? __________________ Take care, Richie Current Tank Info: 180 gallon

03/03/2010, 07:16 AM	#17
Patroklos Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 255	A Hippo would be fine in a 4' tank. It might not be optimal, obviously any fish likes more swimming room, but don't be overly concerned with the doom and gloom crowd. Its not like it will be unhappy there, just don't add any other large fish. I have a PBT in a 65g and not only is it doing just fine, it is the healthiest specimen I have ever seen in person. In 5+ years when it starts to reach its maximum size you might start to have a problem, but this is reefing, you will either not have a tank at all by then or one three times larger

03/03/2010, 10:21 AM	#18
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 22,731	If a blue tang (( Paracanthurus hepatus )) doesn't outgrow a 4' tank in a year (( excluding starting with the tiny tiny ones )), then you don't have a healthy fish. IMO, it is a very poor idea to try one in a 4' tank. Just wait until you have a proper sized tank. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 75g reef, 65g reef and 40 breeder

03/03/2010, 11:34 AM	#19
ReefKeeper2009 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Anchorage Posts: 141	I also agree that a small hippo would be fine for a little while in a 4' tank. I am in no way advocating keeping the fish in there for the duration of its life time though. I have a 3 inch purple tang in my 90 and he is doing just fine. As long as the tang is small and you are able to make the next step into a bigger tank tank when it comes time I see no problems. Tony

03/03/2010, 12:47 PM	#21
ReefKeeper2009 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Anchorage Posts: 141	I see what you mean Toddrtrex and I agree sometimes life gets in the way. My purple isn't a terror yet he is in there with three potters. Anyways sorry to hijack this thread.I think that footballdude2k3 is fine just so long as he is prepared for when the fish gets bigger down the line. Tony

03/03/2010, 12:51 PM	#22
Patroklos Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 255	Due to my job my tank is disestablished every three years max, so I never really worry about what things will look like longer term that that. However, if a fish is healthy then it is healthy, there is no logic whatsoever in applying theoretical rules when the conflict with observed reality. That hippo will not even approach its full size for years, there is no harm at all in giving it a happy home that will be fine for that period of time.