Tang Growth Rates

[ca1ore]

Curious to hear folks' experience with tang growth ....

I've had a 7" hippo and 5" yellow for 5 years, a 5"purple, chevron and 7" desjardini for 3 years, a 4" zebra for 2 years and a 9" unicorn and gem for less than 1. The chevron has gone from 3" to 7" inches in that time, and the gem has gone from 3" to 5", but none of the others have really grown much ..... if at all. They show all outward signs of being healthy - clear skin and scales, mostly nice and thick .... they just don't grow much. Not complaining, it's actually quite 'convenient'; just odd.

 

[lion king]

I think it's just the sweet spot a lot of fish reach in the 5-7" range where as the growth rate may slow with certain species, and it does depend on the species and tank conditions. Many of my tangs, triggers, and angels would scared the bejesus out of while growing to 6-7". Then take 5 years or more to just grow a couple more inches or so. Maybe part of being in captivity and tank size may play a part.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I had a purple for over a decade. It grew fairly quickly to about 5 inches and then slowed. I measured it at about 61/4 when i sold it.

 

[colin obrien]

I have a powder blue tang that's grown about an inch over about 2 years its almost 7" now. I think it has to do a lot with die,t water quality, and even tank size for the more open water tangs. recently my pb has become even more fond of mysis than usual and I can definitely tell its gotten a little bigger, but not much.

 

[mort]

I read once but can't remember exactly where (reputable source though), that regal tangs grow 85% of their size in the first 15% of their lives. So they grow massively over the first couple of years and slow dramatically after that. I'd imagine it's very similar for most tangs who need to get big pretty fast on the reef.

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree many grow to 5” quickly and then slow. There are so many factors but if they’re well fed I wouldn’t point to husbandry

 

[saltyhog]

My experience matches yours. The only rapid grower was a very small purple tang. You could "hear" it grow. Became the tank terror and had to be rehomed.

 

[Zionas]

Wow I’m glad that the smaller Zebrasoma usually get to no more than 7”. Should be okay in a medium sized tank for life.

 

[polyppal]

I read once but can't remember exactly where (reputable source though), that regal tangs grow 85% of their size in the first 15% of their lives. So they grow massively over the first couple of years and slow dramatically after that. I'd imagine it's very similar for most tangs who need to get big pretty fast on the reef.

Very true. Many people don't seem to consider that while a fish 'can reach 12 inches' according to an aquarium guide, that its max size is indicative of a how big they might get in the ocean, not a home aquarium.

Ive never seen a huge tang/angel/fox that was raised to that size in a home aquarium. The ones ive seen in those impressive max sizes were caught that way.

 

[Zionas]

Oh really? Especially curious about some of your experiences then. Like angels, Zebrasoma Tangs, Hippo Tangs, Acanthurus and Foxfaces. From what I’ve gathered the Foxface grows quickly like some Acanthurus Tangs.

 

[Dbichler]

Dec 2020

April 2019 went from 3x2” to 6x4.5” or so my kole has grown from 2.5 to 4 inches in a year and my powder brown I got in December 2020 at 2” is now close to 3”.

 

[jaxteller007]

Here's our lt tang. The last pic was Feb 10 and he's been that size for a while now.

 

[piranhaman00]

I posted a thread of my insane sailfin growth rate, has slowed dramatically, matching what others are saying.

Sailfin Tang Grow Rate

Hi everyone! I wanted to show a progression shot of Gustolv, the Sailfin Tang. He was so tiny when I got him! This is three months! :) I can’t imagine he is very old when I first got him, any ideas tang early growth rate? He is the boss of a 180 but the lieutenant tang he is with is growing...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[polyppal]

It’s fascinating to observe them in that rapid growth stage. I’m curious where my Borbonius will end up, he was tiny when I got him, in the last 2 mos he’s probably grown 40%!

 

[Zionas]

You have a Borbonius! Whoa! How long have you had it for and how well has it done?

 

[laverda]

Very true. Many people don't seem to consider that while a fish 'can reach 12 inches' according to an aquarium guide, that its max size is indicative of a how big they might get in the ocean, not a home aquarium.

Ive never seen a huge tang/angel/fox that was raised to that size in a home aquarium. The ones ive seen in those impressive max sizes were caught that way.

I disagree completely. I had a sailfin tang for over 24 years. It grew very rapidly at first then slowed down. It grew to dinner plate size. 12-14" and thick. The only larger one I have seen was while snorkeling in Hi. Sadly I lost my gentle giant recently during an anemone spawning event.
I know several people people that have raised full size tangs.

 

[polyppal]

You have a Borbonius! Whoa! How long have you had it for and how well has it done?

Ive had him for about 2 1/2 mos total now. Got a tiny one since they are so expensive, but he is actually a pretty hardy fish. Handled QT with no issues and eats like a pig since hes been in my DT for the last month or so! Pretty shy and reclusive though.

 

[Zionas]

Ahhh which other people have raised full sized Tangs? And which species were they?

Do you have any other long lived fish?

 

[laverda]

I know many people that have been in the hobby long time. Two of my friends that come to mind have large full grown tangs. Mark has a vlamingi tang that likes to be petted. Another Steve has several large tangs (4 if I recall correctly) in his large outdoor coral grow out system. I do not remember which ones to be honest.
I have the very first saltwater water fish I purchased still. It is a male black and white clown about 25 years old and still spawning. My yellow tang has been in my care for almost as long as my sailfin was, approximately 22 years. My marine Bata has been with me since 2004 when the tank where I worked was taken down prior to a move. It was in that tank for a few years before that. I also have a full grown rabbit fish I have had about 5 years now.
Most of my fish are over 5 years in my care. Some exceptions are my neon gobies which typically live about 3 years in my care before dieing of old age. They have also spawned in my tank as have several other fish. Most say neon gobies only live 2 years.
The fact is most hobbiest are not in the hobby long enough to keep many tangs till they are full grown!

My salfin just after I set up my 300 gallon 4 years ago.

 

[jaxteller007]

My Lt tang is probably pushing his full potential. Obviously its not easy to measure him but he is bigger than the 6" PVC I put Nori on and I think their max size is listed at like 10".