How fast does a naso tang grow?

[Ben jammin]

I have a 270 gallon FOWLR system. Almost three months ago I ordered some fish online including a naso. I didn't want to start with a large one so I ordered a medium, but what I got was barely 3 inches long and lacks the characteristic black face, yellow outlines, and bright red lips. The vendor (blue zoo) told me that's the juvenile coloration and the colors fill in as they age.

The fish has been healthy and active from the get go, eating well (PE mysis, Hikari frozen veggie foods, and red or green sea veggies a couple times a week), and I alternately soak the food with Selcon and Vita-Chem. Yet in almost three months it has not noticeably grown at all. Everything I see on these forums talks about what fast growers these tangs are, so I am just wondering what "fast" means? How long would you expect it take for a 3" fish to grow to 4" or 5", and for a juvenile to get the red lips, black face and yellow outlines that make naso's so striking (or did I just get a poorly colored specimen)?

 

[Reefing Madness]

It would all depend on how much and how often you fed the fish. All fish will grow quite quickly if you feed them good everyday, I know mine do.

 

[Marshall O]

Feed nori every day if you can instead of just a couple times a week; that should definitely help!

 

[Ben jammin]

I don't have any asian groceries near me that I know of, so the algae I feed is either Julian Sprung's Sea Veggies, or Omega One Super Veggies (red and green). Two questions:

-Are these an acceptable alternative to nori or do I really need to find actual nori?
-These come in large sheets, so I tear off about 1/3, fold it in half so both ends are in the veggie clip and put it in the tank. My fish go nuts for it, but it quickly breaks off in large pieces then lots of tiny bits that float all around generally a make a mess in the aquarium. I worry about the nutrient load it adds since there's so much that breaks up. Anyone ever use these and have a better way of feeding them that avoids the mess?

 

[Reefing Madness]

I feed my Tangs, Romaine Lettuce, Mysis Shrimp, Plankton, Squid, Spinach, 2 of those everyday. That'll fatten em up.

 

[sawdonkey]

I bought a three incher about 5 or 6 years ago. The growth won't blow your mind, but they do get big. Mine is about eight inches now and fat. Sweetest fish in my tank and never bothers a thing.

 

[Genesis Corals]

I don't have any asian groceries near me that I know of, so the algae I feed is either Julian Sprung's Sea Veggies, or Omega One Super Veggies (red and green). Two questions:

-Are these an acceptable alternative to nori or do I really need to find actual nori?
-These come in large sheets, so I tear off about 1/3, fold it in half so both ends are in the veggie clip and put it in the tank. My fish go nuts for it, but it quickly breaks off in large pieces then lots of tiny bits that float all around generally a make a mess in the aquarium. I worry about the nutrient load it adds since there's so much that breaks up. Anyone ever use these and have a better way of feeding them that avoids the mess?

Nori is a cheaper alternative to these aquarium products as it is not marketed to reef tanks. There are some good websites online to buy nori, just make sure it is not seasoned.