photos of extra large tang (pref sailfin)

[Lucky Lefty]

So Ive read a lot of threads regarding tangs, are always mentioned due to how large these fish get.

I was wondering how many of us have extra large tangs, and if you could post a photo for size reference?

I've seen many so far, but nothing much bigger than 5 or 6 inches. Who's got a Sailfin Tang the size of a dinner plate? Would love to see them.

 

[CHSUB]

i saw one in a LFS in Miami on US1(Desjardini Sailfin Tang), huge; maybe 12 inches or more. so big, i desided not to get one for my 300 g DT. sorry no pics.

 

[jbvdhp]

you know, i have yet to see a huge, adult, wild sized any tang in a home aquarium. I know they get big in the wild, but that's the wild. People are always saying you need this size tank and such, but I've seen successful tang keeping in all sized aquariums. True, throwing a 7-9" tang into a 6 ft tank isn't the best idea, but if one is half the size, and one is willing to care for it, then why not and be prepared to move it if need be

I've seen many times TOTM on various sites where people have 5' tanks with 4 tangs in a thriving SPS tank, and no one cares to comment on the tangs in there. They'll all congratulate the owner and no one says "OMG you need a bigger tank for the tangs!"

I wish I snapped a pic of the super wide, round naso that someone brought in for trade at my LFS, and this was probably only 8-9" in length. Other than that, I cant say I've come across a huge tang before in life.

There is a member here who has a store with some HUGE tangs for sure, cant remember that gent's name.

 

[BrianD]

If you have a specific question, please feel free to post it. Otherwise, this thread seems to accomplish little more than to justify a certain stocking decision.

If you really want to see dinner-plate sized tangs, go snorkeling or diving. The fact that tangs may not reach their full size in home aquaria is not exactly a vote for keeping them.

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

I'd still love to see pics of large tangs, wither in an aquarium or in the wild. I've tried to find pics through google, but nothing of much value. bigest I've sersonaly seen at my LFSs is probably 7-8". I don't think it was for sale though (blue tang).

 

[domination2580]

This is my yellow tang in my 55 soon to upgrade to 125 and going to go to 220

 

[myerst2]

Check out Atlantis aquarium in Riverhead. 10,000 gal real reef. Includes adult vlamingi, unicorn, sail fins, Achilles, and an absolute monster sohal

 

[myerst2]

This is from Atlantis. Probably 5+ years ago. Most fish much larger and still thriving.

 

[Moort82]

I'll wager there is a correlation of maximum size to tank size. Not meaning to come off all tang policey but it is hard to explain why wild fish that happily can be kept in a tank for the same lifespan, seem to grow much larger. I would rule out food as I've seen plenty a chubby tangs in a tank so don't believe that's a limiting factor.

 

[Dmorty217]

I'll wager there is a correlation of maximum size to tank size. Not meaning to come off all tang policey but it is hard to explain why wild fish that happily can be kept in a tank for the same lifespan, seem to grow much larger. I would rule out food as I've seen plenty a chubby tangs in a tank so don't believe that's a limiting factor.

+1 I got a Desjardini tang 3.5 years ago at 3/4" now fast forward he is about 6.5" or so but really hasn't grown for what seems like the last 9 months or so. My buddy has it in a 125g by itself at the moment but the tang seemed to stop growing when it was still in my 220g. I will move the tang over to my 625g when it's up and running and we will see if he starts growing again

 

[jbvdhp]

Man, look at the streamers on 'dem sohals...

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Thanks for the pics guys!!
I've seen some large triggers, but even at my local aquarium, didn't see any large tangs.. in those couple photos above they look bigger than what I've seen so thanks for sharing.

@Briand no reason for sour grapes my friend. Not trying to justify myself or anyone else's certain stocking decision. My main reason for asking was because people always speak about how large they get, and I haven't seen any large tangs. I figured with how common they were, there would be several people here with them in their tanks.
All in all, I believe my specific question was if anyone had any photos of large tangs. Thanks.

 

[andrewkw]

Maybe growing to full size in a tank is rare but what about the fish that come in xxxxl? Many times a year I see 10-12" or bigger naso tangs with streamers for sale at local reef shops. Lately it seems like orange shoulders are coming in giant. One I saw was almost certainly over a foot. Black tangs is another one that frequently comes in giant and no one ends up wanting the big ones vs the little guys. I can't recall seeing any giant giant sailfin tangs but this is just off the top of my head. Really Achilles is the only one I can think of not seeing xxxl show size in quite a few years.

 

[jbvdhp]

Maybe growing to full size in a tank is rare but what about the fish that come in xxxxl? Many times a year I see 10-12" or bigger naso tangs with streamers for sale at local reef shops. Lately it seems like orange shoulders are coming in giant. One I saw was almost certainly over a foot. Black tangs is another one that frequently comes in giant and no one ends up wanting the big ones vs the little guys. I can't recall seeing any giant giant sailfin tangs but this is just off the top of my head. Really Achilles is the only one I can think of not seeing xxxl show size in quite a few years.

I saw a 5-6" OST at my LFS the other day for like $80-90 and man it was handsome. The Nasos he gets in as of late are the 6-7" range with streamers for $150. Really nice specimens.

 

[Mishri]

I've seen a hippo tang outgrow a 125 gallon tank... Huge tang, he had it for many years and eventually had to get rid of it. it was over 12" long and it was really tall too, likely 7-8"...

So.. you have to ask, how long have they kept them? I've also seen a massive maroon clown bigger than most tangs I've seen. It was over 25 years old.

sure, you can likely keep some tangs for 5 years in a smaller tank.. but 10-20 years? hmm.. I kept a naso tang in a 55 gallon tank. I don't agree with the "The fish is too big for that tank". It's more of, "that fish will outgrow your tank eventually" - just be aware of that. Many fish that will eventually outgrow a tank can be quite happy in smaller systems. (based on behavior/growth/appetite).

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Wow.. sounds like a huge hippo.. would love to see one that big.
so far the biggest tang I've come across in either home or lfs was no bigger than my hand.
as far as the never ending debate that you mentioned.. the "tank is too small for the fish" debate.. after recently scuba diving the Great Maya Reef and seeing marine life like that in its natural habitat, I felt terrible about any of these animals being kept in a glass box in someone's house or even a commercial aquarium, must how I'm sure someone who saw a tiger in their natural habitat would feel about seeing them in a zoo.
Honestly, in comparison to any of these fish's natural habitat, none of our tanks are worthy of keeping these animals. Not a 55 gallon, a 150 gallon, or even Bill Wann's 20,000 gallon home aquarium. But then that opens debate of keeping any animals.
The only thing we can do, is provide a quality home for these creatures, and make the best decisions we can based on the overall well being of that animal. just half a cent of my 2 cents.