Fish attaining their full size

[my way]

I read quite often about how big a lot of fish get and why we should'nt be keeping them in some of our tanks. This is not meant to flame anyone. Have any of you kept any of these monsters that have gotten to their full size like triggers, porupine puffers,etc? I here alot about tangs needeing such big tanks, my niece has a yellow tang in her 75 it's about 2-2 1/2 inces and she's had it a few years now. It doesn't seem to grow that much. Porcupine puffers are supposed to get a foot and a half. I've never seen one over 10" myself. I have seen some big triggers but not as big as I've read they can get. So how about it, has anyone really grown any monster sized fish and how long have you had them?

 

[toughguy80]

I know lions grow fairly fast. I think they reach adult size within 18 months. And I have seen pictures of peoples tanks with 15+" volitans in their tank. Certain fish grow slower than others. The tangs will reach their adult size, but slower. I've had a hippo for about 3 years now and it's only grown about an inch in those years(currently about 4"). I then bought a trigger who was about an inch smaller than the tang. In the year I've had him he is now a little bigger than the tang. Different species grow at different rates. I THINK it might have something to do with preditory fish growing faster due to need.

 

[yimmy]

I heard for the max size is how big they get in the ocean(trillions of gallons)verse havinga 90g tank

 

[jcrim]

I agree with you My Way. People around here get flamed for keeping fish in tanks that they may outgrow in 10 years but almost no one actually keeps their fish that long. It's always funny to me that people will get ripped for keeping yellow tangs in a 50 or 75 gallon but the outrage is not as great when people run tanks without protein skimmers or with hang-on mechanical crap filtration... or even no filtration except sand and live rock. The fact is more fish die from inadequate systems or inadequate tankmates than from overcrowding.
It's funny that no one seems to realize that fish just do not live their natural lifespans in aquariums. How many people do you know that have kept a fish for over 25-30 years?

 

[cheapfish1]

hey since you guys seem to be in the spirit of not flaming i have two questions, first can a yellow tang and a coral beauty be kept in the same tank, and also if i buy a 2 inch yellow tang how quickly will it outgrow my 30 gallon

 

[toughguy80]

jcrim, the reason I think people get all up in arms about keeping fish(specifically tangs) in small tanks is due to their nature. Tangs are open water swimmers and even when small need room to roam. While that 4" fish might not look to big for the tank. Only time will tell if it truely is when it gets sick and/or it hurts it's tankmates. I think most on here say tanks are to small to keep people from going through this.

 

[squidd]

That's 1/2" Glass for comparison...go ahead, scale it out..
These guys have only been around for a couple years and it didn't take 6 months to figure out a 125 was NOT going to hold them their entire life..
This pic is a few months old, and they ARE bigger now !!!

 

[squidd]

Here's how they started...
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/173369/some-of-the-boys

 

[my way]

Toughguy,
I think anyboby who really cares about their fish will adjust as the situation calls for, I myself right now have a tank that is way overstocked, I do though make sure my water parameters are adequate for my guys (actually I think more than JUST adequate) , and they are moving up real soon. I will admit I have bought fish that I knew will outgrow my tanks, but I knew when the time came I would act accordingly. I bought some of these fish to have the experience of learning about them and what it takes to keep them happy. I have given my share of fish away to better homes when needed. I also have only bought one fish that was an adult, a Queen Angel, I usually like to see my fish grow I thought it was so cool to see my Emparator change to it's adult coloration. I just think that a lot of people who jump down someone's throat for owning a fish that might not "fit" their tank in the long run don't take this into consideration (i didn't take your reply as this, so please don't take it this way).. My intent of this thread was to see who has some of these big guys not to get into arguments
Squidd,
How long have you had these guys What size were they when you got them? And how much does it cost to feed them? Could you let me know a little about your setup, filtration tank size? Gotta love those monsters, they do get a bit expensive to keep at that size though!
Jcrim,
I agree with ya!
This brings another question for all, What is the average length of time you keep a fish, I would say for me it would be about 5yrs. and why? Death ,moved on (got bored with it or needed a new challenge), out grew you tank or whatever.

 

[scubadoo]

Fish housed in systems smaller than required for the species will most likely die due to cramped quarters,disease, or poor water quality due to heavy bio-load long before reaching adulthood.
JMO

 

[squidd]

Originally Posted by My Way
...This brings another question for all, What is the average length of time you keep a fish, I would say for me it would be about 5yrs. and why? Death ,moved on (got bored with it or needed a new challenge), out grew you tank or whatever.
This brings up a deep philosophical/ethical question, one we all need to ask "ourselves"...
"What were you planning on doing with that cute little puppy or kitten you got for Christmas...when it isn't so cute or little anymore...??"

 

[toughguy80]

Originally Posted by My Way
This brings another question for all, What is the average length of time you keep a fish, I would say for me it would be about 5yrs. and why? Death ,moved on (got bored with it or needed a new challenge), out grew you tank or whatever.
I plan on keeping mine till myself or them, die of old age.
I'm not trying to start an argument either. It was simply asked why people "flame" about keeping fish and I feel that's why. I'm not even one of those people that care, do what you like. Im was just trying to explain where "those" people are coming from. They don't want people killing fish needlessly and as I see it, throwing money away needlessly. Normally you can't tell if a fish is being stress until the ick, aggression, etc begin.
I would caution about overstocking though. I had a 4" hippo and a 5" sailfin in a 180 along with others. I knew the tank was a little overstocked but water conditions still fine. I thought they'd be alright together and both had their space. Nope, the hippo beat the crud outta the sailfin and I had to return it. It put me out $30.

 

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by Squidd
This brings up a deep philosophical/ethical question, one we all need to ask "ourselves"...
"What were you planning on doing with that cute little puppy or kitten you go for Christmas...when it wasn't so cute or little anymore...??"
DOn't forget all those Easter baby ducks and chickens.

 

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by toughguy80
jcrim, the reason I think people get all up in arms about keeping fish(specifically tangs) in small tanks is due to their nature. Tangs are open water swimmers and even when small need room to roam. While that 4" fish might not look to big for the tank. Only time will tell if it truely is when it gets sick and/or it hurts it's tankmates. I think most on here say tanks are to small to keep people from going through this.
You are correct...following the path that will increase the odds for success is the best path to take in this hobby.
Too often folks purchase animals that will out grow systems based on future plans of some upgrade that never materialize. Situations can and often do change.
Always best to either wait until such time the adequate system is set-up or to simply purchase an animal that is appropriate for the current system to adulthood.
Also, I am unaware of any magical formula that will calculate the appropriate time to move a fish to a larger system BEFORE stress sets in. Once an animal is stressed it may be too late to transfer to an appropriate home.

 

[beth]

And rabbits. A lot of people get these, then let them go into the wild....Same with reptile acquisitions.

 

[my way]

Originally Posted by toughguy80
I would caution about overstocking though. I had a 4" hippo and a 5" sailfin in a 180 along with others. I knew the tank was a little overstocked but water conditions still fine. I thought they'd be alright together and both had their space. Nope, the hippo beat the crud outta the sailfin and I had to return it. It put me out $30.
Exactly my point you did the right thing for your situation as most people who care would do. There is absolutely no way anybody can predict if or when an animal might "snap" whether it was in a 55 or a 500 gallon tank. Had you known this would happen would you have put them in the tank together? Im sure the answer is no.