<P> The yellow tang has been recorded in waters around Florida, where it is not native . </P> <P> The yellow tang is very commonly kept as a saltwater aquarium fish . In 2015, researchers successfully bred them in captivity . They can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in the wild, but are introduced to aquariums in the 2" to 4" range . Some specimens as large as 6" are occasionally available . Life expectancy in the wild can exceed 30 years . Captive lifespan is typically at least 2--5 years to as long as 20 years in a very large aquarium, with 5--10 years in the average aquarium being typical . "Some, not most, are however likely' killed off' in the first month of care (from hobbyist mistakes, inappropriate tankmates, starvation ...)". </P> <P> Often ranked as a good beginner fish in the marine aquarium industry, the more prudent approach is for them to be kept by a marine aquarist who has at least two years' experience of successfully keeping a marine / reef type biotope . They require an aquarium of 55 - gallon show tank size (48 "L × 21" H × 13 "W) at the absolute minimum, whereas a single smaller specimen 2"--3" may be kept provided it is done by an experienced marine aquarist who can provide the fish with highly stable water chemistry parameters, very low to undetectable nitrate levels and a highly nutritious, balanced diet of seaweed and high protein frozen or live, meaty foods . A 75 - gallon tank or larger is better for a single specimen, while an aquarium of 100 gallons or 60" or more in length is ideal . </P> <P> Like all tangs, they are quite susceptible to Cryptocaryon irritans, or "marine ich" (a parasite resembling "freshwater ich") and other common saltwater diseases . However, "marine ich" is usually quite avoidable in a marine tank as long as it is not introduced from incoming specimens and provided rapid, sudden temperature drops caused by heater breakdown are avoided or quickly corrected . There is also no evidence to suggest that tangs and other surgeon fishes in general are any more susceptible to marine ich than any other smooth - skinned, scaleless marine fishes . They are also susceptible to poisoning by high levels of nitrate, so care should be taken to keep measurable levels less than 30 parts per million (PPM) in whatever type marine ecosystem the tang is housed in . </P>

How big of a tank do i need for a yellow tang