Tank size for vlamingi?

[garvin90]

Im trying to figure up a good final tank size for my little vlamingi and Im not sure if I should go with a 210 or get a custom 8 footer.

Whats your opinion as I would like to get started building the stand soon?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Think bigger. Forget the 210. Here's a vlamingii in an 8ft. long 300+ gallon aquarium. This fish isn't yet fully grown- streamers are presently only a couple of inches long.

 

[cajunboy]

nice tank and fish. Wow, you got that big tank all for the vlaminqi.

 

[snorvich]

I would suggest a tank that is at least ten feet long. Gallonage, however, is less an issue than tank length.

 

[EdKruzel]

Ditto on Gary's statement; that's another species best left to public aquariums and the sea.

Big Fish,
Ed

 

[garvin90]

Thanks for the reference photo gary, as they say "pictures can say a thousand words".

I've been trying to find some growth rate info in it(no idea on the things sex) and was wondering if they are fast or slow growers? Im somewhat used to my reptiles rapid growth so im still unsure of how quickly some fishes go.

Are vlamingi surgeons open water, reef or a mix of both?

 

[EdKruzel]

Outskirt reef and open waters; considered fast growers by most standards.

Ed

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Growth can be relatively rapid for a fish (IME). No shedding like a reptile, though!
I really dislike generalizations, but based on my limited experiences with captive raised reptiles, most herps grow out much faster than most fishes. Adult vlamingii are open water (edge of the reef) planktivores. Immature fish hang out closer to the reef. Reef structures in an aquarium can easily be (accidentally) destroyed by one of these large fish.
Feed frozen krill, mysids, etc. Supplement their diet with algae.

I agree wholeheartedly with Ed- unless you have a really big aquarium, this species is best left for larger public displays.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Ray- here's a recent shot of that same fish

which size aquarium did you choose to go with?