tank size for a Blue hippo tang

[UMALUM]

Two of the leading factors when it comes to growth is region and habitat. No two fish even from the same larvae will grow at the exact same rate let alone reach the same exact size. While fish can display excitement and aggression they're simply incapable of being happy or sad. My recommendation is to plan for a six inch specimen and while 2 inches one way or the other can break up a marriage it's not likely to affect your tank. Most of those who use the 6 foot this 180 gallon that lack the knowledge of the original origin of that literature. The options published on the subject were always meant to represent the adequate housing of adult specimens. There's absolutely nothing wrong with raising tangs in smaller aquariums.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Right or wrong, I also firmly believe that more flow is going to “exercise” tangs and give them more of that always swimming feel. But that’s just my thoughts

 

[buruskeee]

If I’m honest, 3 to 6 inches will be around 1-2 years and then to get to 8-9 inches from 3 inches is around 3-5 years.

Understand that a grown tang or even one around 6 inch will need a 7 to 8 feet tank. I plan to upgrade in 4 years. Hence asking if anyone has experience keping a 1 to 2 inch tang in a 120gallon 4x2x2 for 4 years before upgrading to a larger tank.

I got my yellow belly as a juvie at around 1.5” long. 6 months later it was already about 5”. It’s about 9 months now and it’s about 6” long.

I have a 5x2x2 tank and even I already plan on upgrading to something like a 6x3 once my blue tang gets to about 9-10” which will probably be in the next year.

If you plan on upgrading after a year, should be fine but if not, maybe stick to a yellow which are huge work horses.

Here’s a pic from my side panel (26” width) for reference. It’s behind the yellow maybe 5” away from the glass.

 

[Tamberav]

In my experience they are FAST growers. The hippo tang will still be around when you upgrade so I would just buy it then.

I kept an adult yellow in a 4 foot 80 and he did fine, not very aggressive but it depends on the fish. Some fish are just jerks. I tried two koles before the yellow and they were both absolutely monsters to all other fish and had to be removed. The yellow has been a great algae eater including bryopsis.

 

[i cant think]

I got my yellow belly as a juvie at around 1.5” long. 6 months later it was already about 5”. It’s about 9 months now and it’s about 6” long.

I have a 5x2x2 tank and even I already plan on upgrading to something like a 6x3 once my blue tang gets to about 9-10” which will probably be in the next year.

If you plan on upgrading after a year, should be fine but if not, maybe stick to a yellow which are huge work horses.

Here’s a pic from my side panel (26” width) for reference. It’s behind the yellow maybe 5” away from the glass.

I find it depends on feeding as well, I had a blue that I got and within 2-3 years only got to 3-4 inches from a 1 inch juvie.

 

[Bruttall]

Hippo tangs grow to the size of their tank.

FALSE, this is not true of ANY Saltwater fish I know of, they OUTGROW environment.

Paul B. had this to say about it. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/does-tank-size-limit-fish-size.243971/

 

[nickng]

I find it depends on feeding as well, I had a blue that I got and within 2-3 years only got to 3-4 inches from a 1 inch juvie.

So I headed to the LFS on Sunday that have a few tangs. Talked to the owner and was told similar info about hippo tangs. Basically a 1 inch hippo will be ok in a 4x2x2 with strong flow and plenty of open caves in simple rockscape. However only a small percentage of those blue tangs will reach 6 inch in 3years. On average it will get to 6 inch by 1 to 2 years. Same goes for clown tangs. So tempted to get the 1 inch or small clown tang but decided against it since I got the advice that it will be rolling the dice how fast it will outgrow the tank and it will get aggressive if it feels it doesn’t have enough space.
In the end went for the white tail bristle tooth, that has been in the shop for 4 months. Copper treated and quarantined.
Btw the LFS treats their fish at 3.5ppm copper! Sounds high. I took a sample of their water and it showed 4ppm on my Hanna tester!
Anyone here has actually immersed their fish in 4ppm copper? I’ve only ever put my own fish thru 2.2 to 2.5ppm copper.

 

[OrionN]

So I headed to the LFS on Sunday that have a few tangs. Talked to the owner and was told similar info about hippo tangs. Basically a 1 inch hippo will be ok in a 4x2x2 with strong flow and plenty of open caves in simple rockscape. However only a small percentage of those blue tangs will reach 6 inch in 3years. On average it will get to 6 inch by 1 to 2 years. Same goes for clown tangs. So tempted to get the 1 inch or small clown tang but decided against it since I got the advice that it will be rolling the dice how fast it will outgrow the tank and it will get aggressive if it feels it doesn’t have enough space.
In the end went for the white tail bristle tooth, that has been in the shop for 4 months. Copper treated and quarantined.
Btw the LFS treats their fish at 3.5ppm copper! Sounds high. I took a sample of their water and it showed 4ppm on my Hanna tester!
Anyone here has actually immersed their fish in 4ppm copper? I’ve only ever put my own fish thru 2.2 to 2.5ppm copper.

I would not get fish from that LFS.
Regarding tangs, I would get a Yellow and one of the bristle tooth tangs.

 

[nickng]

FALSE, this is not true of ANY Saltwater fish I know of, they OUTGROW environment.

Paul B. had this to say about it. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/does-tank-size-limit-fish-size.243971/

Thanks, Yeah even the guys at local Petco say that a small tank will stunt the fish to 70% its actual max size don’t expect it to remain small. And even my local Petco says that’s cruel! A severely stunted fish will have liver issues so I was told.

 

[nickng]

I would not get fish from that LFS.
Regarding tangs, I would get a Yellow and one of the bristle tooth tangs.

Any reason? All fish looked very healthy. No ich, no flukes and I know they treat with copper and prazi. Only surprised that they use 3.5 on some fishes. As far as I know only the wrasses they treat at 2.0 copper or TTM if it’s a super sensitive type which they don’t guarantee 100% clear

 

[OrionN]

Personally, I stay away from copper. If they have to resort to copper, to keep their tank disease free then I want no part of it. I have the worst luck with FLS that keep their fish in copper long term.
White tail is great, I would add a Yellow if I have a 120 gal tank.

 

[nickng]

Personally, I stay away from copper. If they have to resort to copper, to keep their tank disease free then I want no part of it. I have the worst luck with FLS that keep their fish in copper long term.
White tail is great, I would add a Yellow if I have a 120 gal tank.

thanks for the caution. Btw when you said you have worst luck, do you mean the fish showed problem later on even though it was chunky, active and swimming and eating well in the store? Or it died right away?
Just wanted to be informed before I get any fish. It's just that evertyhing in that store looks well looked after even their corals that have been there for years looks good

 

[littlefoxx]

FALSE, this is not true of ANY Saltwater fish I know of, they OUTGROW environment.

Paul B. had this to say about it. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/does-tank-size-limit-fish-size.243971/

Im glad you said something, I saw it and was about to say the same

 

[littlefoxx]

So I headed to the LFS on Sunday that have a few tangs. Talked to the owner and was told similar info about hippo tangs. Basically a 1 inch hippo will be ok in a 4x2x2 with strong flow and plenty of open caves in simple rockscape. However only a small percentage of those blue tangs will reach 6 inch in 3years. On average it will get to 6 inch by 1 to 2 years. Same goes for clown tangs. So tempted to get the 1 inch or small clown tang but decided against it since I got the advice that it will be rolling the dice how fast it will outgrow the tank and it will get aggressive if it feels it doesn’t have enough space.
In the end went for the white tail bristle tooth, that has been in the shop for 4 months. Copper treated and quarantined.
Btw the LFS treats their fish at 3.5ppm copper! Sounds high. I took a sample of their water and it showed 4ppm on my Hanna tester!
Anyone here has actually immersed their fish in 4ppm copper? I’ve only ever put my own fish thru 2.2 to 2.5ppm copper.

Great choice! Those are pretty tangs

 

[OrionN]

thanks for the caution. Btw when you said you have worst luck, do you mean the fish showed problem later on even though it was chunky, active and swimming and eating well in the store? Or it died right away?
Just wanted to be informed before I get any fish. It's just that evertyhing in that store looks well looked after even their corals that have been there for years looks good

If I am going to have problem, it will be fish that have been hold in copper. Like my fish acquisition, CBB pair. They were eating fine then just stop eating and died. I got CBB pair from a different source and they did great. In my DT now

 

[keithw283]

blue tangs grow extremely fast. You would be better off with a zebrasoma or bristletooth. Somebody else mentioned the foxface. The one spot and Lo are both great options. Really colorful and ime better than tangs at keeping algae at bay.

 

[beaker5377]

Another option…. Fox face lo or one spot fox face. Bright yellow and peaceful

I've always kept and loved rabbit fish and have multiple. Our onespot recently took up a taste for sps. He move to the sump :\

 

[nickng]

If I am going to have problem, it will be fish that have been hold in copper. Like my fish acquisition, CBB pair. They were eating fine then just stop eating and died. I got CBB pair from a different source and they did great. In my DT now

thanks, wow didn't know that can happen. So do you keep your tank ich free or have ich in the system/tank but run a UV, keep tank conditions great and let the fish immune system fight ich off?
Just trying to learn what works.

 

[bobnicaragua]

FALSE, this is not true of ANY Saltwater fish I know of, they OUTGROW environment.

Paul B. had this to say about it. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/does-tank-size-limit-fish-size.243971/

I’ve been keeping reef tanks since the late 90’s a hippo tang will absolutely not grow as big in a smaller tank.

Does fish growth get stunted in an aquarium?​

 

[Bruttall]

I’ve been keeping reef tanks since the late 90’s a hippo tang will absolutely not grow as big in a smaller tank.

Does fish growth get stunted in an aquarium?​

Due to the stress of not having enough room. Your feet will do the same thing in shoes to small and it will be painful for you also.