20+ year old tangs

Timfish · Mar 8, 2014

Short videos of 3 Zebrasoma sp tangs purchased in 1994.

Sailfin Tang, Z. veliferum Elvis is 20 . . . (at least) - YouTube
Yellow Tang, Z. flavescens Yellow Tang, 20 + years old - YouTube
Purple Tang, Z. xanthurum Purple Tang, 20 + years old - YouTube

shrimplet · Mar 8, 2014

Wow thats great to see a tang that old in captivity

matty0206 · Mar 8, 2014

So neat to see, thank you for sharing.

jason g · Mar 8, 2014

Wow just impressive.

love the Purple Tang.

luxauterna · Mar 8, 2014

amazing ! I hope to post a video of my yellow tang in 20 years

Eienna · Mar 8, 2014

The sailfin and the purple are gorgeous...

KoleTang · Mar 8, 2014

Those are some handsome fish!

What do you feed them?

Keithcorals · Mar 9, 2014

That is unreal. I didn't think tangs could live that long and wouldn't have ever thought at that age they'd look that good

hybridazn · Mar 9, 2014

Wow congrats! Also curious on what their diet consists of. Thanks for any info!

NeverlosT · Mar 9, 2014

inspiring! Very impressive

passion4reef · Mar 9, 2014

Wow u got some nice fish there. What size tank u got there?

TriggerThis · Mar 9, 2014

Nice! I hope I'm still in this hobby 20years from now...

Timfish · Mar 9, 2014

Thank you ya'all! They get fed New Life Spectrum Marine Pellets and occasionally some frozen food. They started off together in a 75 gallon tank that was upgraded to a 90 corner in 2000. The Yellow Tang is still in the 90 but the Purple has been moved to a 110 and the Sailfin has just recently been moved to a 8' long 240.

An interesting note on the Sailfin is it was very happy in the 90 corner. In fact, one of the more interesting behaviors it demonstrated was recognition of strangers and very typical display behavior trying to chase the "intruder" away. The reason for moving it was not that it was acting skittish being in such a small tank for it's size but that it was very dominate and it was impossible to keep the smaller fish fed properly without the Sailfin getting overweight. It also took an inordinately long time to adjust to the 240 which I attribute to the much higher foot traffic the 240 has in front of it. I don't know how anthropomorphic I'm being but instead of having to chase an occasional "intruder" away it was having to deal with multiple "intruders" on a daily basis coupled with being in totally unfamiliar territory and being old enough it was set in it's ways.

luxauterna · Mar 9, 2014

very interesting

Timfish · Apr 28, 2020

Update video. ;Happy

AtulR · Apr 28, 2020

Incredible! Shows just how long some fish can live in the correct conditions.

Zionas · Apr 28, 2020

Good job! I hope to have some of my fish live that old. Currently on my stocking list the Marine Betta and OSFF look the most likely, the Ocellaris Clowns too.

Timfish · Apr 28, 2020

@ Atul@AmongTheReef Thank You!
@ Zionas Thank you! And plan to put the Marine Betta in your will. I have one that's maybe just a year younger than Elvis and is going strong.