Tang Growth

[MarkoD]

Maybe some of us just get the "teacup" or "toy" versions of a fish

[Spyd]

I purchased my Hippo Tang when it was the size of a toonie less than a year ago. It is now a good 4 to 5". I bought a Fowleri about 8 months ago as well. Started out about 5" and is now approx. 8". My Purple Tang looks the same as the day I bought it though and my Sailfin has grown a good 1 to 2" as well over 8 months.

[The Codfather]

I would have agreed with you a few months ago, especially with the tangs we normally keep, the yellow, purple, hippo, etc. I have a black spot and a fowleri tang, these two I know have grown a lot in the last 6 months. To the point where they are starting to be quite impressive, I'm starting to hope they slow down.

[typezero]

My experience with the smaller tangs dont grow much, if most 1"-1 1/1" from the size i bought it. But they do get thick, Arnold in his prime thick. I also feed pretty heavily.

[thmh]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

My point to all this is the speculation that a tang will outgrow a given tank. IME, if you buy a 3 inch YT and put it a 75g, it isn't going to outgrow it, usually.

:-) <3


~Tony

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Most of the tangs I've had over the years have grown. Yellow tangs tended to grow slowly, but species like A. mata & vlamingi grew fast.

I have an aquaculture background and most fish tend to have their fastest growth rates while young. That being the case, if your tang hasn't grown much in the first 3-4 years it is in your tank, it is unlikely to exhibit much growth after that.

Anthony

[reefbyremote]

I have had a hippo and yellow in a 90 g. Both started at 3-4 inches and have only grown an inch (at best) in 2-3 years. I think I feed a bit sparingly but there has never been any aggression etc.

I imagine genetics, food type, and cough... tank size... play into it. I just upgraded to a 150 g so it will be interesting to see what happens to growth now.

[mark]

Would say my Purple Tang is about the same size as when I got him about 11 years ago (~4"). The Regal has grown maybe 2" over the 6 years I've had him (to ~6").

[Aquattro]

To add to this, my Emperor Angel hasn't grown either.

On the dominance thing, I'd expect that could impact rate, but not sure if that would span species?

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

So we always hear the rules about Tangs and tank size, because we know Tangs grow really big. Right?
So here's the thing. I've been doing this a long time, always keeping tangs, and not one of them has ever really grown bigger than the day I got it. Example, bought a 4 inch Yellow Tang. 8 years later, still 4 inches.

What's everyone else's experience with this? I did see a Naso that was about a foot long grown from a baby, but never my own tangs. And I feed a lot. Probably too much. I currently have 5 Tangs, none have grown at all.

what is the size of your tank Aquattro?