Sharing experiences with tangs

[painter_1]

I've been considering a Tang for my tank, and I saw a nice powder blue one at my LFS - about 3-4" in size. I'm on the fence, though, since it's going in my 55g tank and I'm not sure if it's a good fit. Any thoughts on this?

[axonify]

I've heard powder blues can be a challenge to keep, particularly when it comes to ich. Not sure a 55g tank would be suitable for them. On the other hand, kole tangs and yellow tangs might do alright in a tank that size, at least for a while.

[coltin]

A 3-4" powder blue tang might just work in your 55g tank, but as others have mentioned, they're notoriously tricky to keep. Once you get them settled, they generally do alright, but be warned, they won't tolerate tankmates of the same kind. If you're looking for a more laid-back tang experience, you might want to consider yellow, purple, sailfin, or regal blue tangs – they're generally easier to care for.

[zenoxa]

I'm with you guys on this. Generally, tangs can coexist in massive tanks, but otherwise, it's best to keep them solo. A 3-4" powder blue should be fine in a 55g for a short period, at least.

[fleeton]

Honestly, I think you're asking for trouble if you don't have a reliable feeding system in place. These fish need a constant supply of food to stay healthy and prevent ich from taking hold.