Fish Plan for 60g

[ETBReefer05]

Since I bought my 60 gallon, I have been cruising Foster and Smith and trying to plan out my future fish purchases. My 29 gallon tank will have the following fish before I upgrade: Coral Beauty, Starry Blenny, 2x Black Ocellaris Clowns. These fish will be transferred to the 60 gallon when it is complete. I want to keep at least one small tang in the 60, but I see the smallest need a minimum of 70g. I was wondering if it would be irresponsible to keep a tang in a 60 (57.5) gallon aquarium. I don't NEED the tang, and would rather be viewed as a responsible reefer than have ALL of the fish I want. Opinions/Advice would be appreciated.

ETBReefer

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I agree with Chort... but I suppose I have to since I have a Z. Scopas in my 50 breeder. I got it for algae control with the understanding that it would be a temporary resident (or I'd have to upgrade to a larger tank ). I think its day is drawing near as I suspect it is nibbling on my T. squamosa's mantle.

What species of tang are you considering?

Tom

[cg5071]

Depends, I think. Some would be ok I believe. I had a quarter sized yellow in a 38g for awhile. it outgrew it in less than 6 months. Now in an 80 with a kole also. I am pushing it but I believe they are ok. Once I saw my kole taste my brain (wellso) lol but never any other probs. and no dammage. Whatever species you get it would likely be the boss of the tank. Oh and I believe my kole (combtooth type tang) killed my lawnmower blenny but I cant prove it.

That said, I would probably wait till you upgrade again, you know you will!

[Rabidgoose]

+1 to chort.....IMO....We shouldn't think of an environment where livestock can survive, we should try and ensure an environment where livestock can thrive.

If you get a small like 1-2" tang of some of the smaller types you may be ok for a while, but being that the 60 is a 3' tank its REALLY pushing it because they are pretty good stronger swimmers... although people have done worse lol

FWIW I would just skip the tang personally... besides the fact it will definitely outgrow the tank eventually, they are ick magnets, and can be quite the coral nippers. Heck, I trust all 3 of my angels more then my 1 yellow tang to be honest

[cbau45]

I have a small yellow tang in my 60cube and it has been happy and healthy since I bought him. If you get one then plan on having a future upgrade or to sell him once he outgrows the tank which will happen. That's just my two cents.

[ReeferRob]

+1 to chort.....IMO....We shouldn't think of an environment where livestock can survive, we should try and ensure an environment where livestock can thrive.

[ETBReefer05]

As I said, responsibility to my livestock comes first. Thanks for all your answers, a tang is out of the question. I have decided that if I cannot maintain a certain fish or coral when it is full grown, I do not want it in my tank at any point in its life cycle.