Streamers on a male Naso lituratus   12/28/06
<Greetings, Mich here.>  
I have a 6½” Naso lituratus tang that was sold to me as a male.  It was an online order.  How large do they get before the streamers start growing?  
<The size would be variable.  Streamers develop on male Naso lituratus when they become sexual maturity, a secondary sexual characteristic, like the growth of facial hair on young men.  Is quite variable.  Also note, it is possible to have a male who does not develop streamers.  This would indicate a problem reaching sexual maturation.  -Mich>

Re: Streamers on a male Naso lituratus   12/29/06
Hey Mich,
<Hi there Jeremy!>
Is it possible to distinguish a male that doesn't develop streamers and a female?  
> mere physical observation, not that I'm aware of.  I presume it could be done via blood/DNA analysis.>  
Thanks so much.
<You're welcome.  -Mich>
Jeremy

Naso tang ("Hey baby, check out my streamers")
Hello
I wanted to compliment you on your website, I think it's the most complete internet site about aquarium and marine related topics on the net .(is there anything that you don't know!!), I go on it almost every day to learn new things, it is very helpful.
<Pleased to hear it, share>
My question is that I have a Naso tang about 5-6 inch long it doesn't seem to develop the "streamer", how much time does it take normally
is it only the male who develops the streamer I am a little bit confuse, and if so how can we tell if it's a male? I went to my local pet shop and nobody seems to have the answer.
<Yes to some specimens not developing the caudal/tail fin streamers with age/growth. This is a sexual characteristic... of males. I had a friend at OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Lab), now NELHA (Natural Energy Lab Hawai'i Authority) on the Big Island, Kailua-Kona who was captive breeding and trying to rear Naso lituratus who told me that not quite so mature males sometimes lacked streamers... but all streamered individuals he assayed were functioning males. Bob Fenner>
Thank you, Leonel

Captive Raised Nasos?
Hi Bob,
Could you tell me if there are any captive raised Naso lituratus in Canada? If so where could I order one from. Thank you so very much. Lynn
<I know of efforts by folks to breed, rear this species, and think possibly the folks in Polynesia do catch this fish as post larvae at times, but as far as I'm aware, all Surgeonfishes are wild-collected (at this time). Bob Fenner>

Re: fish trade-ins
Thank you , I really appreciate your reply.  Again,  in regard to the color of Naso Tangs, could it be that females are less colorful than the males? That is the case with birds. Thanks again, Helene
<Hello Helene,  in Naso tangs there may be a slight difference between the sexes, but not much.  Feel free to send us a picture.  Anthony suggested to make sure that there is live rock in the tank to provide a natural source of food and to also feed Tetra bits and Vibra-Gro pelleted foods for color enhancement.  Best Regards, Gage.>