Regal Tangs

[G7EG]

I went to my LFS at the weekend and they had lots of small regal tangs in stock (about 1 inch in size)

Now I have been after a baby one for a longtime and is one of the reasons I wanted to get into marine.

Anyway to my shock the LFS (girl in there) stated that as my tank is 4 foot in size I shouldn't get one of these as it will grow to over 16 inches and my tanks too small to have a regal tang.

Is this true ? (im gutted)

I have been after one for ages now and I have just done some reasearch and it looks like I might be ok and it would grow to the size of the tank?

Any info on this ? Would I be ok?

 

[Navarre]

Go to your LFS and shake them by the hand as this seems to be a very responsible shop that looks after the interests of their stock.

They are indeed correct, a regal tang will grow to very large proportions and will certainly outgrow a 4ft tank. Its not quite true that marine fish will only reach the size of their envrionment. Millios of years in a limitless ocean doesnt give them the same versatility as their freshwater cousins. Yes they will not get as large as their wild brothers and sisters but they wil almost certainly outgrow a 4ft tank. Regals are very fast growers too.

ANother thing to think about is your other post about the yellow tang. Tangs are extremly intollerant of other tangs and high levels of aggresion can take place. I would not consider any tang in anything less than 100 imperial gallons and would prefer 5tf in length rather than 4ft for extra swimming space as they are open water swimmers.

I definately would not entertain 2 tangs in a 4ft tank... My own system is 220 imperial gallons (7ft tank) and in this i have a shoal of Emperor tangs and an Orange shoulder, many members on here could tell you the trials and problems i have had to get a large number of tangs in the same tank without aggression and finally after 18 months i managed it. This is with a 200+ gallons system and not a small reef tank

 

[Chac]

I was in UDA on Sunday & they seem to have a massive amount of Large Angels (Queens, Blue Girdled, Annularis, Flagfin & even a few French) all around the 8 -10" mark

They also had a Massive Regal Tang (about 10 -12") - what a cracking fish

 

[G7EG]

Thanks for the info

I agree superb fish, I guess I need to upgrade my tank then if I want to get one

 

[Navarre]

UPgrading! Now thats always fun to start planning!

 

[G7EG]

I know and the funny thing is my gf said (tongue in cheek) if I get another tank its over.

Guess I should go and get one then







































Or maybe not