Tang Growth

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I've got both of these, no growth in 3 years.

I have a Milli frag with no growth in 2 1/2 years. That doesn't mean Millis don't grow.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Myka

I have a Milli frag with no growth in 2 1/2 years. That doesn't mean Millis don't grow.

Is that one of those things where if I twist my head just right it might make sense??

Having owned dozens of tangs over 15 years, in various size tanks, and not a single one has grown in length tells me there may be a pattern to this. And while some report some tangs growing, most mirror my experiences. In fact, other than clowns and a couple damsels, I've never had a fish grow in length.

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.

[Delphinus]

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.

My 3" sailfin did fine in that 75g for something close to 8 or 9 years. Towards the end maybe there was a size issue but he never seemed distressed or uncomfortable to me. I wouldn't have purchased him at that larger size and put him in the 75g, but having grown up into the tank seems to have made a difference maybe.

Thing is though I think there is a time that a fish does stop if not significantly slowdown its growth. If you purchase after that point then conceivably that's going to be their size permanently. It would be interesting to observe if a change in environment can trigger a new growth phase though (ie., transferring to a much larger tank).

There must be something that influences growth rates though, there is just no comparison to the sizes of fish in the wild (and large public aquaria) versus those in the hobby.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

It would be interesting to observe if a change in environment can trigger a new growth phase though (ie., transferring to a much larger tank).

Moving my YT from a 75 to a 90 then a 180 had no impact. I do think they grow in the first couple years then stop, regardless of environment. Although I've bought very small yellows and still nothing. Maybe I release FGI from my skin??

[marie]

Growth of my achilles tang in the 175g bowfront using the nori clip for size comparison



and then 2 yrs later


and yet my powder blue tang has grown very little if at all in the 8 months I've had him in my 300g.....I wonder if position of dominance also has something to do with growth because the powder blue gets put in his place by my other 3 tangs on a daily basis

[Myka]

Originally Posted by marie

I wonder if position of dominance also has something to do with growth

That's a very interesting question.

[The Guy]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Moving my YT from a 75 to a 90 then a 180 had no impact. I do think they grow in the first couple years then stop, regardless of environment. Although I've bought very small yellows and still nothing. Maybe I release FGI from my skin??

I have a yellow, kole and a naso in my 90 g, all have grown a little and eat well. What ever FGI is maybe a good thing!

[Magma]

I have a Yellow tang, Yellowed Eyed Kole, Hippo

Yellow has shown no growth other than getting fat (had him 3 months).
Hippo tang I got at maybe 2" and is now easily 4" (had him just over 3 months).
Kole Tang Has gotten fatter for sure but he hides anytime im near the tank so I dont see him much, but I dont think hes really grown much.

Interesting side note.

My 2 clown fish being moved from a 35gal to a 125gal have doubled in size in 4 months and show no signs of stopping.
My 6 line has grown quite a bit as well with the extra swim space.

[Coralgurl]

My clarkii clowns easily have grown faster than my tangs, , my female is the size of my hippo, bigger than my yellow. My hippo has grown a bit since adding, not much though. Yellow and sailfin have stayed the same, as has my blue throat trigger, all are just fatter.

I noticed the female clarkii's growth started right after moving her from the 55 gl to the 180. Maybe size does matter (tank).

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by clown lover

What ever FGI is maybe a good thing!

Fish Growth Inhibitor