Purple tang. Max size in captivity?

Rogerscody17 · 01/26/2015, 05:33 PM

Hello, I have a 6.2" purple tang I've had for 6 months now, healthy and getting fat everyday. Was curious, how big do they get in captivity? Current tank is a 145g reef. Thank you!

Dmorty217 · 01/26/2015, 05:39 PM

8" would be considered XL

Winwood · 01/26/2015, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

8" would be considered XL

XL indeed. I've never seen any near that size that were grown in captivity. Probably the biggest tank raised one I've seen was around 6" nose to tip of the tail.

juniorrocketdad · 01/26/2015, 07:15 PM

The largest I've seen is 6 inches in person but I've heard up to 8 in captivity

GSMclowns · 01/26/2015, 07:23 PM

I have been in this hobby for 10 years. I love going to the pet stores And other people houses to see their tanks. But I have never seen a Yellow or Purple tang that is about 6 inches or bigger.

Winwood · 01/26/2015, 07:38 PM

I've seen some wild imports that were close to 8 inches, but never one that was raised up that large. I've also seen some yellow tangs in the same size range, but they were collected at that size as well.

jjk_reef00 · 01/26/2015, 07:48 PM

6" is the largest I've seen in captivity, yours may not grow much if at all.

BlueMac92 · 01/26/2015, 07:53 PM

Really depends. I temporarily housed one the size of a small dinner plate that another individual grew from quarter size in a 75g. Lived in my 150 for a couple months before rehoming in a buddy's 240. Biggest purple I've ever seen, did laps constantly in my tank. On the other hand, I acquired one from a another friend who had him for 12 years. Grew slightly smaller than a softball, despite living its whole life in a 220 reef. It died overnight at the age of ~15 with no known cause...

I recall someone telling me it has to do with sex, with the females getting bigger than the males. This could be false, though.

havasuviking1 · 01/26/2015, 07:56 PM

People---please show us pics of your tangs

juniorrocketdad · 01/26/2015, 10:37 PM

I don't have a tang personally as my tank is only 34 gallons so is when I ca get pictures

Rogerscody17 · 01/27/2015, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havasuviking1

People---please show us pics of your tangs

I'll get RIGHT on that tommorow!

Rogerscody17 · 01/27/2015, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMac92

Really depends. I temporarily housed one the size of a small dinner plate that another individual grew from quarter size in a 75g. Lived in my 150 for a couple months before rehoming in a buddy's 240. Biggest purple I've ever seen, did laps constantly in my tank. On the other hand, I acquired one from a another friend who had him for 12 years. Grew slightly smaller than a softball, despite living its whole life in a 220 reef. It died overnight at the age of ~15 with no known cause...

I recall someone telling me it has to do with sex, with the females getting bigger than the males. This could be false, though.

Sorry to here about that... at that age is crazy! By far one of my favorite fish to have. Not sure why... I just know if i were to lose him i'd be devestaded.

On the other note; is there anyway to tell sex?

Rogerscody17 · 01/27/2015, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSMclowns

I have been in this hobby for 10 years. I love going to the pet stores And other people houses to see their tanks. But I have never seen a Yellow or Purple tang that is about 6 inches or bigger.

I feel you on that one! What's your opinion about housing a purple tang and yellow tang together? Ever seen it done before?

Rogerscody17 · 01/27/2015, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

8" would be considered XL

Good luck on that build! Possibly order a XXL wild caught purple tang?

Rogerscody17 · 01/27/2015, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juniorrocketdad

I don't have a tang personally as my tank is only 34 gallons so is when I ca get pictures

Good choice. The tang police will getcha!

jaa1456 · 01/27/2015, 08:32 AM

I did see a large adult that was ordered for a guy in NJ. It was by far the largest purple tang I have ever seen. Easily a 10" tang maybe more and fat. The order also included the largest annularius angel I have ever seen as well.

Dmorty217 · 01/27/2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogerscody17

Good luck on that build! Possibly order a XXL wild caught purple tang?

I like my fish small when I get them to watch them grow... I had 2 purple tangs in my 180g 13 yrs ago without problems so a yellow and a purple could coexist together providing the tank is large enough and they are added at the same time.

GSMclowns · 01/27/2015, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogerscody17

I feel you on that one! What's your opinion about housing a purple tang and yellow tang together? Ever seen it done before?

I don't have big tank, I only have a 120 gallons tank. I hate conflict in the tank, so I only keep 1 Yellow tang. He or she is the king of tank. Its very peaceful and happy cruising around. I have seen many big tanks with multiple tangs in it. They all survive and live but its just not peaceful at all. They all fight and stress out. Personally I just don't like seeing that.

Rogerscody17 · 01/27/2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsmclowns

i don't have big tank, i only have a 120 gallons tank. I hate conflict in the tank, so i only keep 1 yellow tang. He or she is the king of tank. Its very peaceful and happy cruising around. I have seen many big tanks with multiple tangs in it. They all survive and live but its just not peaceful at all. They all fight and stress out. Personally i just don't like seeing that.

+1

DrSoussou · 01/27/2015, 12:17 PM

Can't post a picture because he was killed in a rock-collapse about a year ago, but prior to that, my purple tang had lived in my 150G for about 4 years. Got him at around 3-4 inches and he stopped growing at 6 inches

Edit: forgot to mention that he was housed with a yellow tang that we got at the same time at around the same size. Purple was always a tiny bit fatter so he dominated the yellow but they rarely fought. They were both subservient to the powder blue I also had. Yellow and purple died in the same rock collapse caused by my engineer goby.

Winwood · 01/27/2015, 01:31 PM

Putting yellows and purples together is hit or miss. I've done it several times. Sometimes they find peace with one another, other times the fighting is relentless.

01/26/2015, 05:33 PM	#1
Rogerscody17 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Turlock, Ca Posts: 80	Purple tang. Max size in captivity? Hello, I have a 6.2" purple tang I've had for 6 months now, healthy and getting fat everyday. Was curious, how big do they get in captivity? Current tank is a 145g reef. Thank you!

01/26/2015, 05:39 PM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	8" would be considered XL __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

01/26/2015, 07:23 PM	#5
GSMclowns A Reef Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 364	I have been in this hobby for 10 years. I love going to the pet stores And other people houses to see their tanks. But I have never seen a Yellow or Purple tang that is about 6 inches or bigger. __________________ Bao ================================= ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º>

01/26/2015, 07:48 PM	#7
jjk_reef00 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,476	6" is the largest I've seen in captivity, yours may not grow much if at all. __________________ I need more fish tank appliances! --Ed Current Tank Info: 375 FOWLR

01/26/2015, 07:15 PM	#4
juniorrocketdad Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 733	The largest I've seen is 6 inches in person but I've heard up to 8 in captivity

01/26/2015, 07:38 PM	#6
Winwood Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 1,689	I've seen some wild imports that were close to 8 inches, but never one that was raised up that large. I've also seen some yellow tangs in the same size range, but they were collected at that size as well.

01/26/2015, 07:53 PM	#8
BlueMac92 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 311	Really depends. I temporarily housed one the size of a small dinner plate that another individual grew from quarter size in a 75g. Lived in my 150 for a couple months before rehoming in a buddy's 240. Biggest purple I've ever seen, did laps constantly in my tank. On the other hand, I acquired one from a another friend who had him for 12 years. Grew slightly smaller than a softball, despite living its whole life in a 220 reef. It died overnight at the age of ~15 with no known cause... I recall someone telling me it has to do with sex, with the females getting bigger than the males. This could be false, though.

01/26/2015, 07:56 PM	#9
havasuviking1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ Posts: 112	People---please show us pics of your tangs

01/26/2015, 10:37 PM	#10
juniorrocketdad Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 733	I don't have a tang personally as my tank is only 34 gallons so is when I ca get pictures

01/27/2015, 08:32 AM	#16
jaa1456 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 1,145	I did see a large adult that was ordered for a guy in NJ. It was by far the largest purple tang I have ever seen. Easily a 10" tang maybe more and fat. The order also included the largest annularius angel I have ever seen as well.

01/27/2015, 12:17 PM	#20
DrSoussou Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 35	Can't post a picture because he was killed in a rock-collapse about a year ago, but prior to that, my purple tang had lived in my 150G for about 4 years. Got him at around 3-4 inches and he stopped growing at 6 inches Edit: forgot to mention that he was housed with a yellow tang that we got at the same time at around the same size. Purple was always a tiny bit fatter so he dominated the yellow but they rarely fought. They were both subservient to the powder blue I also had. Yellow and purple died in the same rock collapse caused by my engineer goby.

01/27/2015, 01:31 PM	#21
Winwood Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 1,689	Putting yellows and purples together is hit or miss. I've done it several times. Sometimes they find peace with one another, other times the fighting is relentless.