Question about long tanks

[zparticle]

I was wondering if there is a special purpose for long tanks or if it is just a choice of looks? Are there fish that require long tanks?

 

[joy13]

If you are asking about saltwater tanks some fish like tangs need the extra long.

 

[zparticle]

I was thinking about tanks in general, didn't think there would be a difference between FW and SW as far as the purpose of the longs.

 

[Smitty]

It can be for personal choice or if you want specific fish or items. Any type of large fish (fresh or SW) really needs a larger tank. Most want a tank that is no higher than 30 and 24 or so inches deep. The only other way to give it more volume is length.

As Joy said, some fish do require longer tanks - 6' long or more (like Tangs) because they need the room to swim around.

 

[rich311k]

Long tanks give more surface area for gas exchange and more swimming space for a fish to stretch its fins.

 

[mfdrookie516]

You can stock a lot of fish in a long tank that you cant stock in the same sized tall tank.. 20g for instance. The tank is 6" longer in the long version, which makes more room for scaping (reef or planted), but also gives considerably more swim room for fish like danios or dwarf cichlids.