Regal Tang?

[Reefer Rob]

There are lots of Tangs that do OK in a smaller tank (60 to 90-ish) Any of the "reef cleaning" tangs such as Yellow Tangs happily clean rocks all day seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. It's just that the Regal is a free swimming plankton feeder that likes to roam, they just don't get the living in a box thing.

I can't bring my wife with me when I shop for fish, all those cute little baby Regals at the store have that puppy in the pet store window effect on her.

[SeaSerpant]

I guess no REGAL tang for me What other kind of tang would go good in a 60g tank.

[VFX]

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

I guess no REGAL tang for me What other kind of tang would go good in a 60g tank.

Like Rob says a Yellow Tang should be ok in a 60g tank.

Check out his link for lots of Tang info.

Marine Center Tangs Page

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[SeaSerpant]

Looking at the tangs i like the Scopas tang and it says the minimum size of a tank for the Regal is 20g that sounds odd.

[VFX]

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

Looking at the tangs i like the Scopas tang and it says the minimum size of a tank for the Regal is 20g that sounds odd.

Yeah, remember they're a store & want to sell sell sell so take their min tank sizes with a pinch of salt. The purpose of the link was more to show what Tangs are available. Sorry I should've said so in the 1st place...

A Regal kept long term in a 20g would be just criminal!!!

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[SeaSerpant]

true so i think i'll get a scopas.

[VFX]

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

true so i think i'll get a scopas.

They do look great but I don't know much about them. Maybe someone else who's kept them will pitch in?

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[michika]

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

true so i think i'll get a scopas.

Scopas are in the same family as yellow tangs. They do get big, and quick. They also do a great job of cleaning up rocks, then again so do kole tangs. If you can get your hands on Scott W. Michael's Marine Fish book. Great references on fish sizes and tank requirements. As an FYI scopas is marked as a minimum tank size of 75g, and its advised that this is one of the most aggressive of the zebrasoma genus. I've seen the brutality of a Scopas tang first hand, and its not nice.

Just remember tangs grow QUICK. Before you purchase make sure you are prepared to give up the fish to a bigger home when its required, or upgrade when the time comes. Just to give you an idea I bought a regal tang that was about 0.5" and in about a year it was 4". By year two my fish was an easy 7" and about half an inch thick. I had a sailfin that grew even quicker.

If you are REALLY set on a tang, look for a small one, make sure it is not only eating, but that you have some preliminary information on it before purchasing. They are great fish, lots of personality, and lots of fun. However, I would still STRONGLY recommend something bigger, like 90g to start out.