You raise some really good points Steve.
As I said many times the really big problem is parting with a tang when it does grow and you cannot afford the money or space for a larger tank.

The problem with the tiny tangs is that they are difficult to keep alive. Most of the tiny Naso and regal tangs we often see are so scrawny from the travel that they dont make it. I would be interested in knowing if any do.
Reefers buy them though because they fit.

The whole tang size issue is to bring an awareness of the preferred requirements of these beautiful fish. Before they were simply sold to us newbies as a fish which could survive in our first tanks which was typically a 33 or so.
I think reefers are light years ahead in their knowledge today more than every before. Those that do try to keep tangs in smaller tanks do so with the idea that they will invest in a larger tank in the future or allow for the fish in other ways ie rock placement that allows the tang to swim, very low fish load and passive tank mates

Ah..no one actually, as he belongs to me....Stripey Pants is just fine where he is :P

I was joking naesco :lol:

Sorry there Steve, I thought the comment you made in chat last night referred to some pot-stirring (doh!).

Naesco is right, you raise some excellent points. I'm real curious because I have a 33 and I have to explain almost daily to my wife and son why we cannot have a Purple Tang... :roll:

I'm just afraid they aren't taking me seriously, and on Christmas Eve they'll surprise me with a "family gift" that comes in a wet plastic bag. :? It could happen.

Aj

I guess one point I forgot to mention in my first reply way up above, when I suggested baby tangs, was that I was coming from the point of view that baby tangs (i.e., "toonie" sized tangs) may have a harder time in larger tanks when they are so small. Until they are a little bit stronger, is it not easier on them to live in an enviroment a little gentler. One example that comes to mind, Doug mentioned that he put a small tang in his large reef, he found it stuck to his overflow. Another example that comes to mind is another tank I saw recently, where there is a closed loop run by a ampmaster 3000 with a single intake. I can only imagine the amount of suction through that strainer. The fish I saw and to whom it was I referring, it would only take one time of straying too close to such an input and it would be bad news. So yeah I do temper my original comments with "so long as you have the intention of investing into the proper environment down the road." I agree with Naesco that it is probably a lot harder to give up a tang to someone else, espescially when you've seen that tang grow from something coin-sized to something several inches long. Plus you never know if the environment they go into is really any better for them. Is it not still on one's conscience in such a case?

Tony I agree.
The tiny blue regal is a perfect example. Let's say a reefer buys a tiny one (not recommended because most under two inches don't survive) for his 20 gallon tank.
He nurtures it and it grows. Think for a moment how we get attached to certain coral. How in heavens name can anyone part with his/her baby blue tang which is now four inches. IME it is impossible unless you have a family member or friend that you trust 100% to give it to. You will not return it to a LFS or even another reefer. You keep it.
It is better not to buy it in the first place IMO.

Tangs in Nanos, big debate on another board I frequent and it has resulted in nothing but a total melt down to flaming.

I have a 20 gallon Nano, I have a 33 that I was thinking of using as my Nano but for now it is the 20. I bought a 2 1/2 inch sailfin tang to house in my 20 until my 72 was cycled but the tang passed away in the hospital tank so it never made it into the nano but I feel it would have been fine, lots of stuff to graze on... it would have been the only fish in there.... a few peppermint shrimp and some nice coral and lots of live rock.

I myself have never had a Sailfin, and the subject is moot anyway. I have had a Regal in a smaller tank, but when it grew, I had to give it back to my LFS. I just find Tangs have too nervous a nature for the smaller tanks. My dentist's office once had a faily big sailfin, a Regal, and a Yellow in a Hex. They did not act too nervous in there, but they died. They were rental fish. :shock:

Odd I'm always the MOST nervous when I'm at the dentist.

Funny, BCOrchidGuy, same here :)

This forum is great! While I could never have a nano because I would want to cram too much stuff in there :roll: (although I have the big tank for that :idea: ), I love reading about this stuff. Keep it coming!!

Christy :)


PS does anyone have a 5G nano up and running??? Tell me all!!! ;)

hehe ok back when i started to intrested in saltwater tanks some of my friends told me about nano tank that they are easy and all that so this is what i stufied to make my fish saltwater tank.
my friends have 2.5 gal tank for 3 years now and it has neer crashed or nothing same with his 1 gal and 5 gal. when i come back from mexico on the 8th of january i am setting up my 5 gal nano. i think they are pretty sweet becase all you need is 1 or 2 corals you like and a power head and heater and you are set. no exspensive skimmers or nothing .
and 1 think i have seen they do very nicely is display zoo's . very nice nano zoo tanks

hey some what related to zoos but des any one know the rules about bringing corals from the usa to canada ?