How fast do powder blue tangs grow?

D3DPrintedThingz · May 24, 2022

If I were to purchase a powder blue tang at 2" in length, and put him in a 75g, how long until it would need to be re-homed? Has anyone successfully re-homed fish who have got too big? They are really cool fish, and I think it would be a good way to introduce myself into the tang keeping hobby, with the end game of giving him up to someone who might trade a piece of coral or something for a tang that's 6" and healthy?

Please no mean comments. I also am just kind of sitting at work, bored, do de do de do...

Or should I just buy a bigger tank? I don't think having a tank that is 'too big' could ever be a problem...

Hypan · May 24, 2022

I’d love to see a 2” powder blue. I can’t recall ever seeing one that small in all my years. This may be the hardest part.

growth is dependent on many factors so it’s hard to give a timeframe.

You will get a lot of different reactions to this topic. I don’t think you would have trouble re-homing a 6” healthy powder blue, it’s a very desirable fish. Especially if it’s already conditioned to aquarium life.

Just my opinion here. I say at 4-5” I’d start looking for a new home. I’m not a fan of tangs in aquariums but I’ve seen bigger in a 75 and they appear fat and happy though.

BigMax · May 24, 2022

ilikefish69 said:
If I were to purchase a powder blue tang at 2" in length, and put him in a 75g, how long until it would need to be re-homed? Has anyone successfully re-homed fish who have got too big? They are really cool fish, and I think it would be a good way to introduce myself into the tang keeping hobby, with the end game of giving him up to someone who might trade a piece of coral or something for a tang that's 6" and healthy?

Please no mean comments. I also am just kind of sitting at work, bored, do de do de do...

Or should I just buy a bigger tank? I don't think having a tank that is 'too big' could ever be a problem...

I've had several over the years. The one I have now is in a 350 gallon tank, I bought it at about 4.5 inches and 'he' is now 6" but has more than tripled in weight (I like them fat and happy

). He's been in the tank for over 7 years.

PB's love to swim. The 75g tank, to me, should be short term even when small if you want a happy tang. I have never had a high current flow in my 350, but I'm beginning to change my ways; I know my Naso would prefer it, and Achilles tangs need it. I assume the PB would prefer high flow as well, similar to my Naso, some others will chime in, but those are my thoughts.

D3DPrintedThingz · May 24, 2022

ilikefish69 said:
If I were to purchase a powder blue tang at 2" in length, and put him in a 75g, how long until it would need to be re-homed? Has anyone successfully re-homed fish who have got too big? They are really cool fish, and I think it would be a good way to introduce myself into the tang keeping hobby, with the end game of giving him up to someone who might trade a piece of coral or something for a tang that's 6" and healthy?

Please no mean comments. I also am just kind of sitting at work, bored, do de do de do...

Or should I just buy a bigger tank? I don't think having a tank that is 'too big' could ever be a problem...

LFS is selling blue tangs and they are probably less than 2" in length. They are adorable. Which is why my mind went off on this tangent...

I will snap a pic of them when I go back. There are probably 10 of them altogether. I could just sit and watch them all day, cute little guys.

REM2021 · May 31, 2022

I got a small PB around 3" with the same thought, that he could grow out in my 75G and then I could upgrade in a year or two or trade him for credit if I wasn't ready for the upgrade. I got unlucky with mine; he was deeply unhappy with the amount of swimming room in the 75, glass surfed a lot and took it out on the other inhabitants. In three weeks he killed one clown, a chromis, and was working on my midas blenny by the time I got him with the fish trap. LFS was very happy to take him for credit. I'm sure other people have had them be just fine for months or possibly years growing out, just depends on the individual's temperament, which you unfortunately can't screen for. If you have a LFS that's good about trading, I'd say feel free to give it a try but have a quality fish trap on hand before you get the PB, so you don't lose days (and fish) waiting on shipping. If upgrading your tank size is at all on your radar, my two cents would be to do that and then get the PB, focusing on getting a long tank so you can have ample swimming room.

The_ReefB0y_FOX24 · Aug 7, 2022

ilikefish69 said:
If I were to purchase a powder blue tang at 2" in length, and put him in a 75g, how long until it would need to be re-homed? Has anyone successfully re-homed fish who have got too big? They are really cool fish, and I think it would be a good way to introduce myself into the tang keeping hobby, with the end game of giving him up to someone who might trade a piece of coral or something for a tang that's 6" and healthy?

Please no mean comments. I also am just kind of sitting at work, bored, do de do de do...

Or should I just buy a bigger tank? I don't think having a tank that is 'too big' could ever be a problem...

If you want tangs in a 75 Yellow or Yellow Eye Kole are your best bet. and might not need re-homed.
Just my opinion mainly based on google