Tang in a 75?

[Troy F]

Well I haven't posted in an awful long time but this subject has always interested me. I was always one to say surgeons and tangs probably belonged in the larger tanks or in the ocean. I recently snorkled in a marine sanctuary in Hawaii and was blown away by how much area they covered (including yellows and koles/yellow-eyed). None of the species moved all that quick unless there was a need to (such as me trying to get close enough for a snap shot). Some, like the Naso lituratus, moved out of my way almost grudgingly and I was careful not to let the current push me to close because I'll tell you, those tail scalpels on a 20" fish are awfully big!

Here's my take as far as aquariums are concerned; you can't hope to provide a home anything close to their natural environment but that goes for all of the species you keep really so why stop at the tangs and surgeons? If you like them, try to pick one that won't completely outgrow your tank. My experience was that my yellow got really agitated in my 75gal but who knows, he could have been ****ed about the water parameters.