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Would a Blue Tang be ok in a 55 gallon tank?

12K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  caferacermike 
#1 ·
We just bought an established aquarium and my girlfriend is on me about getting what she refers to as "the interesting fish" (tangs, lionfish, puffers, ect.) I keep telling her that the tank is too small but sometimes think that maybe a Blue Tang would be ok in a 55 gallon tank. Would it? Any reef friendly suggestions would be great!
 
#3 ·
I will say no. Now if you plan on up grading to a 70 or bigger then yes it would be all right to get a baby or a small one. But the small ones are not easy fish at first as they tend to not eat or they are mistaken that thwy are dead by new comers. What I mean is that they play dead and somethat that doesnt know that will mistake it as being dead.


Any reef friendly suggestions would be great!

What kind of lighting do you or are you getting? Also do you want soft or hard corals?
 
#5 ·
So as for the corals. You have about 4.7 watts/gallon. Which would give you choices between some polyps, mushrooms, and leathers.
 
#8 ·
No you will need more light. Something like MH's. They require high light.
 
#9 ·
Keep in mind that even if you did have a nice sized blue hippo, that'd be the only fish you could keep. Of course you could attempt others but the quality of life in the tank would suffer. If it was my 55g I'd prolly try a small pair of clowns, 2 fire fish, another small goby and maybe a scooter blenny. That'd keep the fish in different areas of the tank and offer plenty of color and diversity.
 
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