Adding a less shy fish

[rompininphx]

My tank finished cycling 2 weeks ago and its been over a week with a cuc, so I added a coral beauty. I was so excited to have a fish but he only swims in the bottom back half of the tank. He has such great colors so Im hoping its just a temporary thing(He's been in the tank for 3 days). I also just added a fire shrimp because I love how they look, but he likes to stay hidden too. So aside from snails and my crab coming out sometimes, my tank looks like theres nothing in there still! Im kinda frustrated, but whats a good fish that will swim in the open mostly?

Heres my tank right now:

1 coral beauty
2 astrea snails
1 huge turbo snail
5 nassarius snails
1 peppermint shrimp
1 fire shrimp
1 small emerald crab

 

[lisafoster]

Just give him time fish can be shy at first.Have you tested your parameters to make sure your levels are not off and he is stressed.

 

[rompininphx]

My numbers were good 2 days ago, but now im reading 20ppm nitrates, just under .5 ppm nitrites, 0 ammonia, ph around 8...should I do a water change? That seems like a big jump in 2 days. He's not been eating much, could this be from leftover food? Wouldnt the shrimp and snails eat the leftover food?

 

[lhm nole]

My numbers were good 2 days ago, but now im reading 20ppm nitrates, just under .5 ppm nitrites, 0 ammonia, ph around 8...should I do a water change? That seems like a big jump in 2 days. He's not been eating much, could this be from leftover food? Wouldnt the shrimp and snails eat the leftover food?

Your nitrites should be 0 and kinda weird you have nitrates this early are you using a skimmer? And coral beauties are usually really active and swim all over the tank. And fire shrimp all they do is hide unless you have a skunk cleaner and those guys usually will come right out for food. Snails are more algae and detritus feed versus prepared foods.

 

[jdareef]

What size tank?

 

[rompininphx]

Im running an Aquac Remora skimmer...do you think its the test strips im using? I think the brand is quick dip...theyre the 5 in 1 kind

 

[rompininphx]

Its a 30g

 

[jdareef]

I've always loved wrasses. They have great personality and are very active. Unfortunately your tank size limits the variety to choose from. You could go with a red tail or yellow fin flasher wrasse, maybe a six-line.

 

[lisafoster]

That is way too high of a jump for 2 days.I have high nitrates sometimes when I have overfed or got lazy with my water changes but your tank is too new for that. Do a 50% water change that will cut your nitrates in 1/2. What kind of a skimmer are you running also how much are you feeding. do not add any fish until your nitrates are under control. Also add some hermit crabs they will eat any uneaten food

 

[rompininphx]

AquaC Remora skimmer and I havent fed much, Ive tried to feed for 2 days but he's not eating much. A quarter cube of frozen brine shrimp twice and some pellet food, he had maybe a bite each time...I also clipped an algae sheet in the tank.

 

[snorvich]

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Slow down. Get your parameters in order, get some real test kits, and wait until animals are acting normally.

 

[rompininphx]

Ok, it was the test strips...I took some water to the lfs and it was fine. Im going to wait on another addition until my cb is more comfortable. He's still not really eating, ive tried frozen food, pellets and algae sheets. Im gonna try adding garlic to the food, but can I add fresh garlic juice or do I have to buy the stuff they sell in the lfs? Any other tips to get him to eat? He doesnt have ich or anything, theres no spots and he's not swimming weird or anything, just really shy.

 

[aquaph8]

You can use fresh garlic. Just give him time to adjust. Throw those test strips in the trash. I tried them when they first came out and only ever got screwy readings out of them.

 

[snorvich]

Ok, it was the test strips...I took some water to the lfs and it was fine. .

You need to be able to test your own water properly. And when you have a problem, post your water parameters (not just that they are fine) as it may give us an idea of your situation. Keep in mind that you have a new tank, algae will be sparse at best so dwarf angels may have difficulty. Garlic may help stimulate appetite so try frozen mysis soaked in garlic (don't use the LFS garlic as it is expensive relative to grocery store). You might also hang a strip of nori in the tank.

 

[LisaD]

Angels should be added to mature tanks, usually 6+ months established. If you can get or have some FULLY CURED live rock, from an established tank, with sponge, algae, other critters on it, the angel may pick at that. You could try adding enriched live adult brine shrimp to pique its appetite, though that is not a sufficient diet in the long term. Was it eating at the LFS? If so, what were they feeding?

Watch water parameters carefully, and be ready to do frequent partial water changes to keep quality high.

Keep up with:
pH (8.0-8.4)
temperature (keep below 80)
ammonia (should be undetectable)
nitrite (should be undetectable)
nitrate (I try to keep below 20 ppm, others believe higher is okay)

Sounds to me like your tank may still be cycling, or at the least, has not stabilized. How long did you give it for the cycle? I agree with Steve that you may be rushing it.

Also, it is a very good idea to QT any new fish...

Couple questions:
How did you cycle your tank?
Do you have live rock, and if so, how many lbs?
Was it cured, dead, or fresh (not cured) when you got it?
Other filtration besides skimmer?

If you are new to saltwater tanks, this is a GREAT book to get started. It's an easy read, with lots of useful information, and costs less than $20. It will save you money in time and fish. I consider this the minimal base knowledge you need before you can get much out of the forums. It will give you the background knowledge to succeed with a new marine tank.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Marine-Aquarium-Step-Step/dp/1890087521

 

[snorvich]

Great advice from Lisa!

 

[travis32]

I would also ask how much LR is in the tank? What does your substrate consist of? How much water movement do you have from powerheads? do you have any surface agitation? Do you have a sump?

 

[rompininphx]

I let it cycle for 4 weeks. I have aragonite for my bottom, about 2 in. deep. I just added live rock, I have about 40 lbs. of it. It was cured, but there was some noticable die off on it when I put it in my tank. There was an ammonia and nitrite spike and then they both zeroed out. I also have an aquaclear HOB filter. Also, I don't have a sump. I have two koralia 1 powerheads for circulation.

The coral beauty has adjusted and now he eats everything! My tests turned out to be wrong, the fish just needed time to adjust to the tank. But now Im having a problem with him eating my candy cane coral. Any tips to get him not to eat it? Maybe it's because my tanks not established enough, what should I do?

 

[njudson]

People say that keeping dwarf angels well fed can minimize their appetite for coral but imo if he is already eating it he probably won't stop this is the risk you take with an angel in a reef.