Male Naso Tang

[luckyk0505]

When do they start developing streamer?

Can I keep one in my 210g? 7x2x2

 

[Eric the half-bee]

Mine is 7" and streamers are slowly developing. I've got a 7' 400gal and he seems comfortable. He's also quite docile compared to my biggest tang(vlamingii)

 

[Untamed12]

In my experience with two types of Naso...they start to form streamers at about 1.5 years old.

At about 1 year old, the tails of males have a different shape even though the streamers haven't yet formed.

 

[Untamed12]

N. vlamingi at 1.5 years. Streamers just starting to form.

N. elegans at 2.5 years. Streamers well formed.

N. unicornis at 1 year. Getting streamers? I expect to know for sure in another 6 months.

 

[ccampbell57]

Male nasos (true nasos) will not show signs of streamers till they are larger.

Blonde naso tangs will start to grow streamers at around 5"

 

[luckyk0505]

wow that N. vlamingi is really nice. how big is he?

and do only males grow streamers

 

[ccampbell57]

Only male tangs grow streamers

 

[luckyk0505]

I think im going to get N. vlamingi , instead of naso elegant.

I think I want one around 5 to 7 inches big. Can I tell if they are male or female?

 

[Untamed12]

I think im going to get N. vlamingi , instead of naso elegant.

I think I want one around 5 to 7 inches big. Can I tell if they are male or female?

Your opening question suggests that you are looking at a 210 gallon system. I'm not sure that my 400 gallon system is large enough for a vlamingi. Mine is around 15" or 16"...is just about 2 years old and is probably still growing.

At 5"-7" you would still not be able to tell if you had a male or female vlamingi. I've never seen one in the shops at that size anyway. Most commonly, they are sold as juveniles of 2" or less. I'm sure that people who buy these have no idea what they are getting. In the shops, they look like this.... (same fish btw)

N. elegans or N. literatus would be a much better choice for your 210. Even they get quite large, but they don't do it nearly as fast as vlamingi

 

[Coolibabes]

Even they get quite large, but they don't do it nearly as fast as vlamingi

My got my Vlamingii when he was about 6" and now he is about 14-15" and still going strong! He grew about 8" in about 18 months. His streamers started showing around the 7-8" mark.

He is currently housed in a 10' x 1.5' x 2.5' tank and I am considering upgrading to a wider tank 10' x 2.5' x 2.5' to cater for him! He is an awesome fish with great character. He allows me to pet him and he sometimes wets me if I take too long dropping the food in the water at feeding time!

Below is a pic taken a few months ago of him with the some of the gang!

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

great fish cooli

 

[Eric the half-bee]

Your opening question suggests that you are looking at a 210 gallon system. I'm not sure that my 400 gallon system is large enough for a vlamingi. Mine is around 15" or 16"...is just about 2 years old and is probably still growing.

I also fear my 400 will not be sufficient for my vlamingi in time. I dont have the luxury of upsizing since my tank is inwall. In time, I may have to find him a bigger home.