Sailfin Tang

FishyReef

FishyReef

Broke Reefer!
Location
Boston
I know sailfin tangs get really big, but I've also heard that they are slow growers and that it can take years for them to grow to a larger size. Do you think a juvenile sailfin tang would be okay in a 90g tank for awhile?
 
(Let me put on my armor as I prepare for the attacks by the tang police).

I bought my sailfin when I had a 240 gallon tank. He lived in there for 3 years or so, and didn't grow noticeably. When I downsized to my 90, I kept him for another 3 years until I took down my tank and found him a new home over the summer.

In the 6 years I had that fish, I don't think it ever grew. And the 240 it was in should have been big enough for it to grow if it was going to grow. The sailfin was much smaller than my yellow tang and even my foxface.

So would I put one long-term in a 90? Nope. Would I recommend anyone get one for a 90 that doesn't have plans to get a bigger tank or re-home it? Nope. I really think they need 6 feet of swimming room.

I did it and my fish was fine, but that doesn't mean other people would have the same results.
 
I do intend to upgrade to at least a 180 at some point but it might not be for at least a year or a few years unless I find a very good deal on one. I really need to concentrate on paying off the first tank before throwing a few thousand at equipment for an upgrade! So with that in mind, would a sailfin be okay for say 2 years? Biff, would you put a sailfin in a 90 again even temporarily? Or did yours have trouble being in that short of a space?
 
Bifferwine said:
I'd put it in a 90 again, temporarily. I think it's important that you get a small one if you decide to do that.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree! And I would look to get either a juvenile (listed at 1.5" - 2.5" on LA) or a medium (listed at 2.5" - 3.5" on LA). My mimic tang is still in her juvenile phase and is around 2.75", so I would hope to get a sailfin tang that was somewhere in that same vicinity size-wise. I don't think it will happen until after the first of the year, but I have been thinking about it and wanted to see what people thought.
 
I'm going to disagree here. I bought a 3 inch sailfin about a year and a half ago and it has easily almost tripled in size. None of the fish that I have had have grown like my sailfin. He has to be a good 8 inches long now
 
I'm with North here. My sailfin was significantly smaller when I got him versus when I broke my tank down... I'd say he grew half again as big in the five or so months I had him.
 
I wouldnt get one unless your tank is atleast 6 feet long, The only reason i got one again is because i have a 125 and its 6 feet long, Plus i got a fairly small one at only 3 to 4 inches, Plus i already have a 280 gl in storage for my upgrade when we are ready to buy our house.

On another note i also just picked up a 80 gl to use for the 280 as a sump hehehe.
 
North & Civic - what size were your sailfins when you got them? How about your's Biff?

Erin - what size was your sailfin when you got it, and what size tank did you have it in?

Were they all the regular sailfins, or were any of them the desjardini sailfins? Do you guys know if there is any difference between the two types with respect to growth rates or activity level?
 
Mine was ~2.5 inches (length, not counting the height of the fins) it's in a standard footprint 180 (6x2x2) and to be honest, there are days when he looks cramped in my 6 foot tank. I'd like an 8 foot, but that's going to be a hard sell to my wife
 
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