LifeSpan of YellowTangs

[ChilisREasy]

What is the normal lifespan & largest size of these fish ?

[Geoff]

most fish of that size seem to have a life expectancy near 20 years.

G~

[betamed]

I've seen them up to 8" in the wild.

[salt-rookie]

20 years total lifespan? How old would the be at 1", 2", 3" respectively, when captured? Are all tangs of the Zebrasomas genus similar in longevity?

[Geoff]

do not know the relative years that the sizes represent. being in the wild and in the aquarium are way different growth rates.

i have heard that most fish in the 12" range live anywhere between 20 and 30 years. as the fish gets bigger their life expectancy gets longer also.

people are finding out that fish live a lot longer than they thought. it is no longer only a year or two. they also are not eaten nearly as quickly as they thought when they are out on the reef.

G~

[salt-rookie]

Geoff...so you are saying the larger they get, the less likely to become a casualty of the "Food Chain"? I just spent a BUTT LOAD on my Black Tang, lucky enough to get a small/medium....I want him to live FOREVER!!!

[lduncan]

I believe a Dutch supplier Gerard & Margriet Krijger, has a yellow tang which they have kept in captivity for at least 22 years (It's looking a bit battered now ;-) ). It's a 112 year old aquarium business!

[Geoff]

yes, as you get bigger, less things are hunting you. i am pretty sure that tang if properlly cared for will live for quite a long time.

G~

[rascalreef]

I've read in many differeant articles that the common yellow tang can reach sizes up to 8 inches and lifespans around 7-8 years. They are great fish just got one for my 55g.

[Tony13]

My yellow is currently 12 years old, he/she was my first fish.