Bristletooth Tomini Tang in 55 gallon?
 

So I was looking at the tangs on live aquaria and saw this one. From what I understand he is one of the smallest tangs out there (max size is 6") and requires a 70 gallon tank. But I was wondering, would it be possible to house him his whole life in a 55 gallon (long) tank and have him live a long, healthy, and happy life? So 15 gallons less than the recommended tank size. Other fish in the tank will be a Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish, Yellow & Black Heraldi Anglefish, McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, Royal Gramma, Starcki Damsel, Yellowhead Jawfish, and maybe a clown goby as well as inverts and corals. Does anyone have any experience with this tang in a 55 gallon or any input on this? Thanks.

I dont think any tang will do well LONG term in a 55. Possibly as the only thing in there but not with others

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079

The recommended tank size by the experts on this site is 75. Note that's a minimum, not a size for a happy tang. If you haven't kept tangs before, I wouldn't try it in a tank less than the minimum. Not only will the fish not be happy, but you'll also be annoyed by all the pacing and aggression. Speaking from personal experience here.

Something else to keep in mind is whether or not you've quarantined all the other fish in there for Ich and other diseases?

Although there is only 15 gallons difference, that 15 gallons comes from the extra ~6" width that a 75 has vs. a 55. Think about a full grown 6" fish trying to maneuver around the rockwork in a 12" wide tank. Most tank end up with only a few inches between the rockwork and glass at this point, which is not enough space for any Tang IMO.

Would you guys give the okay with a 90 gallon BUT its ONLY 3 feet from left to right when looking at it from the front, 2 feet long depth wise and 2 feet high? so its 36*24*24. The bottom portion is lots of LR with hiding places, but the upper middle area and toppish are wide open...

75 is optimal but if the fish is small enough you should be able to keep it in a 55 gallon for a year or so.


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So my tank I described in the post above might be okay even though its shorter than traditional long tanks...

I'd say yes if you aquascape right. Build many caves with as Little Rock as possible.


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Three feet is not enough room for a tang

This.

Does it have more to do with the fact that they just swim back and forth as opposed to maybe diagonally utilizing the height of the tank more in my case...I was under the impression that Tominis only get up to 6" and that would be acceptable? Also does it help with not having a packed tank as well...there would not be an issues of overcrowding I don't believe.

Do you guys know of any web page links or anything that has any sort of studies shown on tangs and there proper tank sizes they need? I just am getting a large variety of different opinions on things...

that's how my tank is set up

Fish (other than seahorses) swim side to side and therefore will only utilize the three feet. Therefore that tank is not suitable for a tang

What about certain pygmy wrasses that seem to do quite a bit of swimming up and down...do you have any expert web pages that I can go to see this information at? Thanks.