Tang in a 60 gallon cube

[ckwatson]

I am thinking of starting a 60 gallon cube It will have one maybe two clowns and a purple fire fish. If I keep the rock work minimal and have plenty of open swimming could I get away with a smaller tang? I am hoping for something like Bristletooth Tomini Tang, Blue and Yellow Hippo Tang, or ideally a Powder Brown Tang. I am guessing any of these would out grow a 60 cube but will it take 3-4 years for them to really need a bigger tank?

Powder Brown Tang
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+367&pcatid=367">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+367&pcatid=367</a>

Blue and Yellow Hippo Tang
[IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+2767&pcatid=2767">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+2767&pcatid=2767</a>

Bristletooth Tomini Tang
[IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+334&pcatid=334">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+334&pcatid=334</a>

 

[george]

I think with tangs it's less of an issue of volume as distance. A 55 still has a 4' run whereas a 60 cube is 1/2 that (or maybe 2 1/2 feet diagonally). Virtually any tang will get cramped in there much sooner than 3-4 years.

That's an opinion, of course.

 

[ckwatson]

George, that is what I was worried about, does it have to be long runs? Why can they just be content swimming in a circle? I mean my dog would run in a circle all day long and loved it.

 

[george]

I don't know that it *has* to be long runs. I know the tanks in which people have more success with tangs tend to be the 4'+ variety. Also, from observing the way tangs swim, it's a lot of darting, but long bursts. Carrying your dog analogy, it's more like a Jack Russel bouncing all over.

At any rate, after taking the advice to "get the fish and just trade him out when the tank gets too small" and seeing the results in my own system, I'm not a fan of this approach, especially if you don't have any solid plans to get a larger tank.

 

[ckwatson]

Yeah I don't like the idea of trading a fish in, but if it can make it a few years in the cube I do plan on get a 75 or 120 one day when I have a little more stable living arrangement. I just dont want to be moving a large tank every year from apartment to apartment

 

[linda lee]

I used to think these fish traveled miles and miles during the day and needed huge amounts of room. Some suggest otherwise.

Interesting article

 

[flyingarmy]

Linda Lee;211918 wrote: I used to think these fish traveled miles and miles during the day and needed huge amounts of room. Some suggest otherwise.

Interesting article http://www.hawaii.edu/ssri/hcri/files/media/mc-lpub-2006-08-12.pdf">here</a>.[/QUOTE]


Great read Linda..thanks!

 

[jcusmarine]

Where are you intending on getting a 60 cube from Kyle? I am thinking about parting my 55 gal out so I can get a large cube.

 

[ckwatson]

I have been looking on the boards and Sal from Saltwater City is getting my some prices on some different size cubes. So right now I am not sure where I will be getting it from, all I can say is the place with the best price.

 

[skriz]

George is right, Tangs need longer tanks rather than volume. They also actually like taller tanks too.

 

[jwils27]

i have a tiny hippo in a 40 cube that is Fat and healthy. the problem is they grow pretty quick and he or she will be coming out soon to go into my 65 gallon 48" tank. But if you get a tiny hippo and feed it a lot you should be fine for about a year give or take. The little ones usually live in small pools until the are mature anyways.

 

[reefknight]

I have a 2"-2 1/2" Purple tang in my 90gal currently. He has been in there for about 4 months and is quite healthy. I am looking at upgrading my tank at the begining of the year however. He may only attain a size of about 3" while in the current tank.
I'm not a member of the tang police, but I think a 60 cube would be a little cramped. If it was for a very short time only, as a holding area until another system was started I would say OK. But if you're not sure that you are going to upgrade, then personally I would not purchase a tang. I agree with George that they really do prefer length opposed to volume. I used to have a Hippo in a 58gal then moved him to a 85 hexagonal tank years ago. He went bonkers in the hex because all he could do was swim up and down. He appeared at the time rather pathetic and retarded while doing this.

 

[fraggel rock]

i have a 3 inch blue hippo in a 2 gallon pico. lol j/k just don't let the tang patrol see any pics of it..... the post would be full of awwwws and ohhhhhs and they will try to make you feel like you should release your fish and join peta.

 

[victor626nj]

in a 60 cube a tomini will be ok as they tend to graze on rock all day but i wont get anything else cause they all just grow to big

 

[jmaneyapanda]

jwils27;212539 wrote: The little ones usually live in small pools until the are mature anyways.

where did you get this information? I am calling shenanigans and misinformation on this one.