Achilles Tang Primer
- Thread starter BrianD
- Start date
With the right kind of current, it will be okay. Achilles like VERY turbulent water. They actually swim in the surf, so with some very strong powerheads directed at eachother--2 koralia 7's on their wave unit, would be best--it should be happy. They aren't distance swimmers as much as active swimmers. I've seen video of them doing acrobatics in powerheads that meet and create a very choppy zone.
thanks for all the replies! They have been much appreciated!
well tonight he has alot less white spots on, still feeding well with all other tangs.
I have a turnover within the tank off over 40,000, which includes my closed loop, so plenty of random flow.
So in summary
All tangs are eating inc Achilles
Spots have reduced
Feeding Nori sprayed in omega 3 fatty acids
Mixed frozen food soaked in omega 3 fatty acids
Brine Shrimp with Garlic
Plenty of flow
Cleaner shrimps
Cleaner Wrasse
The trouble we go to keep fish hey! LOL...
well tonight he has alot less white spots on, still feeding well with all other tangs.
I have a turnover within the tank off over 40,000, which includes my closed loop, so plenty of random flow.
So in summary
All tangs are eating inc Achilles
Spots have reduced
Feeding Nori sprayed in omega 3 fatty acids
Mixed frozen food soaked in omega 3 fatty acids
Brine Shrimp with Garlic
Plenty of flow
Cleaner shrimps
Cleaner Wrasse
The trouble we go to keep fish hey! LOL...
you can also coat your nori with garlic, as well as pellets--which are very absorbant and when you let them dry before feeding them, the garlic doesn't rinse off.
I had a blue tang that I bought as tiny for my first tank, a 25 gal, and it grew faster than I expected and I had to keep it in there a little longer than was comfortable. I put a huge powerhead in the front, pointing the length of the tank, which served as a tang-swimming-treadmill, and he loved it. But sometimes, after water changed, etc, I'd forget to turn it back on and he'd get a case of ich, twice so bad I thought I'd lose him. I got him through those epidodes feeding seaweed that I let garlic dry on (brightwell's is by far the BEST, and I've tried many), as well as pellets (make a small pool in the middle of a plate, pour some pelltets on it, then roll them around until all the garlic is absorbed, then roll the pellets to a dry part of the plate and let dry. With this method, they can be stored and used over a long period of time. I would make about 2-3 days worth at a time.)
Also, unless you're feeding a spirulina enriched brine (hikari makes an excellent one), then brine actually has very little nutritional value.
Finally, feed as many times a day as you can, BUT much smaller portions. That way, a fish that is fighting has a constant source of nutrition. Again, this is what I did with my blue tang, and he happily made it to a home in my 75 gallon tank.
Even without sickness, pellets are an excellent dietary supplement, as many are very high in protein (40-50%), are made with a variety of marine sources, and are fortified with important vit's such as C--which you can also get as a supplement for fish from brightwell. Actually, they have an excellent line, especially of fish nutrition products. I strongly recommend: Garlic, Vit C, Max Amino, and Amin Omega.
And no, I don't work for BW, but I have researched them extensively, and I really think Chris's products are miles above everybody else's. BTW, I used to work in a fish store, and successfully rehabed NUMEROUS fish that came in in very poor condition with a concoction of what I listed above--also feeding several times throughout the day. It works.
http://brightwellaquatics.com/
(click on enter, then products, then marine)
Good luck!
I had a blue tang that I bought as tiny for my first tank, a 25 gal, and it grew faster than I expected and I had to keep it in there a little longer than was comfortable. I put a huge powerhead in the front, pointing the length of the tank, which served as a tang-swimming-treadmill, and he loved it. But sometimes, after water changed, etc, I'd forget to turn it back on and he'd get a case of ich, twice so bad I thought I'd lose him. I got him through those epidodes feeding seaweed that I let garlic dry on (brightwell's is by far the BEST, and I've tried many), as well as pellets (make a small pool in the middle of a plate, pour some pelltets on it, then roll them around until all the garlic is absorbed, then roll the pellets to a dry part of the plate and let dry. With this method, they can be stored and used over a long period of time. I would make about 2-3 days worth at a time.)
Also, unless you're feeding a spirulina enriched brine (hikari makes an excellent one), then brine actually has very little nutritional value.
Finally, feed as many times a day as you can, BUT much smaller portions. That way, a fish that is fighting has a constant source of nutrition. Again, this is what I did with my blue tang, and he happily made it to a home in my 75 gallon tank.
Even without sickness, pellets are an excellent dietary supplement, as many are very high in protein (40-50%), are made with a variety of marine sources, and are fortified with important vit's such as C--which you can also get as a supplement for fish from brightwell. Actually, they have an excellent line, especially of fish nutrition products. I strongly recommend: Garlic, Vit C, Max Amino, and Amin Omega.
And no, I don't work for BW, but I have researched them extensively, and I really think Chris's products are miles above everybody else's. BTW, I used to work in a fish store, and successfully rehabed NUMEROUS fish that came in in very poor condition with a concoction of what I listed above--also feeding several times throughout the day. It works.
http://brightwellaquatics.com/
(click on enter, then products, then marine)
Good luck!
thx for that info.very helpful.
In the Uk we've just started getting BW products.
I've seen the food supp range, are they powders? do you mix them to create a multi vit soak or do you dose one then the next.
Would be interested to know how you apply these additives to other foods. Also if brine is low in nutrients what frozen food is good?
PM me if this is a little off thread. But it does seems that keeping the Achilles well fed through a good diet can seriously help our cause.
Cheers
Paul
In the Uk we've just started getting BW products.
I've seen the food supp range, are they powders? do you mix them to create a multi vit soak or do you dose one then the next.
Would be interested to know how you apply these additives to other foods. Also if brine is low in nutrients what frozen food is good?
PM me if this is a little off thread. But it does seems that keeping the Achilles well fed through a good diet can seriously help our cause.
Cheers
Paul
All of BW's nutrion supp's are liquids--and the Max Amino and Amin Omega are very thick. They also have a multi vit for soaking called Vitamarin M.
They best reason to feed brine is that sometimes it's the most natural "looking" food at first to a new fish. Hikari's spirulin brine is very good. The brine are raised--and therefore totally gutloaded in spirulina ponds. The cubes are actually green, and you'd think that when they thaw out it would turn the water green, but no--it's all on the inside of the brine. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+13937&pcatid=13937
They also make it in a freeze dried form--which is excellent for soaking. (Though in its freeze dried state, it crumbles very easily) Freeze dried food is basically a sponge, and if you had to have it imported, even a big can is only a few ounces. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+4279&pcatid=4279
Other frozen foods I like and feed are the "blends" (multiple sources of marine protien) and are usually fortified as well. Such as:
Brine Shrip Plus (excellent for tangs) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8155&pcatid=8155
Hikari Mega Marine Algae http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8889&pcatid=8889
Prime Reef http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8157&pcatid=8157
Special Formula VHP (very high protein) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8156&pcatid=8156
Good Luck,
Cheree
They best reason to feed brine is that sometimes it's the most natural "looking" food at first to a new fish. Hikari's spirulin brine is very good. The brine are raised--and therefore totally gutloaded in spirulina ponds. The cubes are actually green, and you'd think that when they thaw out it would turn the water green, but no--it's all on the inside of the brine. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+13937&pcatid=13937
They also make it in a freeze dried form--which is excellent for soaking. (Though in its freeze dried state, it crumbles very easily) Freeze dried food is basically a sponge, and if you had to have it imported, even a big can is only a few ounces. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+4279&pcatid=4279
Other frozen foods I like and feed are the "blends" (multiple sources of marine protien) and are usually fortified as well. Such as:
Brine Shrip Plus (excellent for tangs) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8155&pcatid=8155
Hikari Mega Marine Algae http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8889&pcatid=8889
Prime Reef http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8157&pcatid=8157
Special Formula VHP (very high protein) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+7927+8156&pcatid=8156
Good Luck,
Cheree
bigdaddy76
Member
I have an non eating Achilles I know this is a dump
question, but what else can I do any suggestions?
I have tried both mysis and Nori. PLease help!!!!!
question, but what else can I do any suggestions?
I have tried both mysis and Nori. PLease help!!!!!
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
no such thing as a dump question!
how big is it's aquarium? is the fish healthy? how's water motion in this aquarium? is the fish picking at rocks?
bigdaddy76
Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15021178#post15021178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
no such thing as a dump question!
how big is it's aquarium? is the fish healthy? how's water motion in this aquarium? is the fish picking at rocks?
The aquarium is 90 gal, the fish was nice and fat and I pretty much took him home as it was still in the bag w/o seeing him eat in person. Have 2 korlia 3 pumps on each side of the glass, and yes he does picks on rock seldomly.
THanks
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
tough diagnosis
tough diagnosis
but here's what I'd do if I were in your shoes:
*check nitrates (along with all water parameters). Double check if necessary.
*check for stray electricity. Faulty powerheads and/or heaters can stress certain fishes to death (such as this species) IME
*keep nori on a clip in the aquarium. Always have some nori available to this species when acclimating.
picking at rockwork is a very encouraging sign
tough diagnosis
but here's what I'd do if I were in your shoes:
*check nitrates (along with all water parameters). Double check if necessary.
*check for stray electricity. Faulty powerheads and/or heaters can stress certain fishes to death (such as this species) IME
*keep nori on a clip in the aquarium. Always have some nori available to this species when acclimating.
picking at rockwork is a very encouraging sign
Mike de Leon
New member
Mine just had a huge bout with Ich! Thought I was gonna loose him.
Here's what I did.
Fed him heavily with nori soaked in garlic ext and Selcon.
Changed the water a couple of times.
Turned the lights off for a couple of days. Then shortened the photo period when turned on.
I find the Ich is at it's worst when the lights are on. They also do photosynthesize.
He has completely cleared of any ich.
I am finding that he is too big for my tank. He came from a 6 ft tank originally. I have just changed my tank to rimless and went 5 ft. He might just have to go to someone with a larger tank. The way he swims he really needs more room.
Here's what I did.
Fed him heavily with nori soaked in garlic ext and Selcon.
Changed the water a couple of times.
Turned the lights off for a couple of days. Then shortened the photo period when turned on.
I find the Ich is at it's worst when the lights are on. They also do photosynthesize.
He has completely cleared of any ich.
I am finding that he is too big for my tank. He came from a 6 ft tank originally. I have just changed my tank to rimless and went 5 ft. He might just have to go to someone with a larger tank. The way he swims he really needs more room.
Well my ich is back on the Achilles, it died back and then it with me again. Mike how long did you have Ich for on the Achilles?
He's feeding well and pecking everything. Love the stream pump and the cleaner wrasse is constantly cleaning him.
Should I buy a UV or should i just keep feeding him well and let it run the course.
Maybe I'll reduce the lighting for a few days, Mike you mention the do photosynthesize, really?
Will it eventually go or keep coming back worse?
He's feeding well and pecking everything. Love the stream pump and the cleaner wrasse is constantly cleaning him.
Should I buy a UV or should i just keep feeding him well and let it run the course.
Maybe I'll reduce the lighting for a few days, Mike you mention the do photosynthesize, really?
Will it eventually go or keep coming back worse?
Mike de Leon
New member
The Ich outbreak lasted about a week. This is when I transferred him from the old tank to the new one. Feed him well and turn off the light for a couple of days. Then shorten photo period when you finally turn it on. Once he bacomes strong after feeding well it should not come back. You have to keep the water in pristine conditions...Every so often you might see a couple of ich here and there then it should dissappear.
The longer the contact time, the better the UV works. I'm also running a 40W on my system (140 g after displacement), and I run mine with a MJ1200, which has to push the water 1' up and out of sump, then goes thru UV, then 1' back up and drops into sump. I haven't measured the net gph, but it's pretty decent flow that comes out of the UV return (3/4" pvc).
Cheree
Cheree
