yellow tang growth

[tibob32]

I got a yellow tang in QT right now and it's TINY! I'm talking 2" nose to scalpel spot. It'll be going to my 120g next week. I'm wondering how fast those fishes grow? Can I expect 2-3 inches for the first year?

 

[RealReef7]

Generally young juvi's grow faster. Yellow tangs in general are slow growers.

 

[reppo13]

Depends on feeding and grazing opportunities. Also the size of the tank will play a massive part in growth. Fish like tangs stunt their growth and just get a bigger gut. I would expect 1 1/2 inches of growth in the first year with average feeding and grazing opportunity. Experts correct me if I'm wrong, I'm guessing on general observation and knowledge.

 

[mattsilvester]

I've had several yellow tangs over the years - usually in the 3-4" category, and to be honest it seemed to me like they never grew at all. During the same period(s) tankmates grew alot ..... a hippo tang from 2" to 6+", a emporer angel from 3" to 8-9", foxface from 3" to 7+"...... that sort of thing..... and the tank(s) were a good size (180 to 240gal)...... for me, they just never seem to grow.

That being said, with a specimen as small as yours, I owuld expect it to reach about 3-4" TL in 12-24 months.

 

[scubarob]

The fish will go from transparent to 2.5" solid yellow within 4 months. After that they grow slowly.... maybe get 3" in the first year. Your fish probably dropped onto the reef in early to mid June.

 

[tibob32]

thanks for the answers. I won't hold my breath then. It's almost completely opaque. Still skinny from shipping but eating everything that touches the water.

 

[reef_doug]

I would expect a 2" Yellow Tang to reach 3-1/2" in one year in a 120gal+ size tank. Once they get to 4" the growth slows down.

 

[jaa1456]

I know in the wild they reach about 6"s in one year from birth. I guess in an aquarium there would be a lot of variables. The one I had years ago only reached around 7"s and it was in a 265 for 7 years. Bought around the size of 3"s