Tangs, to buy or not to buy.

[PacificBlueReef]

Im looking for a Pacific Blue Tang or Purple/Yellow Tang.

The LFS has some tiny Pacific Blue Tangs ( 1/2 to an inche). Assuming that all condition are good how long would it take for this fish to reach 6 or 7 inches(and full size of 12inches)? I have the same question for the purple and yellow tangs at about 2-3 inches. Any rough guesses?

Besides makeing sure that the fish is alert, and eating with no tale tale sign of infection or disease, is there anything else to look for on these tangs to determin if the specimen is healthy?

What are the best ways to tell if the specimen has ich or lateral line erosion?

That is all i can think of for now.

Thanks!

 

[Julio]

pacific blue tangs get really big IMO purple tangs and yellow tangs get a little smaller so they would be a better choice.

 

[PacificBlueReef]

I have Micheal W. Scott's "Marine Fishes" so I have a good idea about the fish. But my question was more related to the time it takes these fish to reach 6-8 inches.

And the overall health.

 

[Julio]

it all depends on the overall water quality they are kept in, i have had fish in my tank grow very quickly since i redid all my plumbing for my skimmer to perform better.

 

[saltbox125]

purple and yellow tangs would be a good choice. they said that blue tang can reach 12 inches but i never see one more then 10 inches. national aquarium in baltimore don't even have one at that size.

 

[jda]

Hippo tangs can go from that tiny size to about 5 inches in about a year. I would imagine that a hippo could get to be 6-8 inches in less than 2 years.

If you have never truly had a 6-8 inch tang, they are huge. I am not talking about the 3 inch tang that people say is 6 inches, but a real 6-8 inches. They are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick and will eat a pound of food a week.

If your sig is right and you have a 55G tank, a 3" hippo would be huge (too big), probably get agressive towards your other fish and drive your nitrate and phosphate sky high. I would estimate that you would have 3-4 (maybe 6) months if you started out with a tiny one.

 

[fishaholic911]

I have had my blue tang for a year and half and he is only about 2 inches he has doubled in size.For my he has grown slow but is perfectly heathy. I feed him everyday with seaweed mysis soaked in selcon

 

[Psyire]

What do you mean by 'blue' tang? Atlantic or Pacific? My Atlantic Blue tang has went from 1.75" to 3.5" in just 4 months.

 

[PacificBlueReef]

Thanks fellas that helped out alot! I was thinking that if it took like 5 years to grow out then I would have the income to afford a 180+. So I am going to stay away from old blue, and maybe give old yellar a go.

 

[fishaholic911]

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