Does sizereally matter??

[teresaq]

If you were buying a fish that will be 6 to 8 inch or larger as an adult, would you buy the smallest you could find or go for a medium size??
I went to lfs today, and they had a sailfin tang the size of a quarter. I was very tempted but think i should wait for one a little larger.

 

[pohtr]

I think that's a really good question.
It would seem that a smaller young one would be more adapatable, but on the other hand an older wizer one would be more tough. Most of the successful fish that are currently in my tank came as about half grown. I just lost a cute little pj cardinal who looked fine except he was little. I think the other tank mates were too much for him. He lasted 2 days while the much bigger lm blennie is doing great. Maybe coincidence?

 

[alyssia]

I have heard that the smallest ones don't usually do as good.

 

[beadmaker]

Sailfin tangs can get up to 15 inches and need a 135 gal tank. will you be able to accommodate that? If so they are fairly hearty also plan on fresh macro algae as with many tangs will get HLLE if not fed well.

 

[teresaq]

Thanks for the info, but I already know that. I have a 150 gal tank with a 55 gal sump that this fish will be going into, so i think i can accommodate that fish

. I have had my SW tank for almost 2 yrs now and have done lots of research on the fish i want to add.

 

[beadmaker]

sorry didnt mean to offend you. Your posting didnt have much info. I personnally like the little babies but if your other fish are older and bigger I would agree to wait and get a bigger one. That little guy will probably get chased and not be able to feed well.

 

[teresaq]

no problem, my post was started to find out if people prefered buying very small or larger more established fish. not wheither or not one would fit in my tank.

 

[rcdude1990]

i came up wit the idea of buying small fish for my tank that around 1-2 inches. and watch them grow, i always buy big guys for my tank and it gets kinda boring watchin them for like 4 weeks wit not a sign of gowth so ima wait about a month and then trade all my big fish for some babys and watch them grow

 

[coachklm]

Size always Matters........
but then again Ive never had a small "fish"
:hilarious :hilarious :hilarious
and most "aquarist's" enjoy larger, more experienced, "fish"

 

[teresaq]

:hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious

 

[cwgibson]

i like buying small fish, mainly to watch them grow. the smallest i got was a blue hippo about the size you are talking about,and he died after about a week. i had him in a 75g with my other larger fish which i think may have been too much.if i get another one im going to put it in the 20g i have by itself and wait til it is bigger to move it to my main tank. hope this helps

 

[windmill]

I try to take into consideration tankmates when buying a new fish. Typically I'll buy as small as possible so I can watch it grow up. I know smaller, younger fish have less chance of survival, but I'm willing to take that risk. And I almost always buy fish that, when fully grown, still have plenty of room in my tank.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by coachKLM
Size always Matters........
but then again Ive never had a small "fish"
:hilarious :hilarious :hilarious
and most "aquarist's" enjoy larger, more experienced, "fish"

:hilarious

 

[Chasmodes]

I think that it depends on the species so it may not matter for some species but might matter very much for others. For hardier species I think that if you can accomodate the fish with the right size tank and keep stress from tankmates to a minimum (have them with the right species) then you are doing the best thing for the fish that you buy.
Some species have particular issues. Take the queen angel, if you purchase a large adult you had better have the right system to put them in first, but they often don't adapt well to substitute foods because they've consumed a high percentage of sponge in their diet their entire adult life...I think that some can be coaxed into taking substitute foods but some may not make it.
Likewise, often juveniles are don't fare well because if dietary issues in some species while others do very well. I think that the answer to this question is one of personal preference combined with research on the species in question and what is best for that particular animal (including compatibility with tankmates).
I think that with tangs you are OK because the dietary requirements are pretty much the same their entire life.

 

[firedog]

I seem to recall reading in more than one place that with tangs, very small or large fish are not quite as hardy in regards to shipping stress. It is usually better to get tangs at around 1-3" or so.
That being said, I prefer smaller fish to larger ones, so I can watch them grow. Those little blue hippos are so cute.