Baby atlantic blue tang dilema

[greg1786]

Ok guys, here goes. As some of you know I recently purchased a juvi desjardini sailfin. Well, I came home from work today, and my gf had a "surprise" waiting for me. She bought a baby atlantic blue tang because "it was too cute to pass up". While I am glad to have a gf who takes some interest in the hobby that I love so much, this was not the best move for obvious reasons. I have a 125 and am currently shopping around for something in the 220-240 gallon range. That said, I already have a yellow tang and a lavender in the 125, with the sailfin in the qt. The atlantic blue has to go, for now at least. I have a frien who has a 180 and has agreed to take the atlantic blue in hopes that when I get the larger tank(which could be up to a year from now) he will give it back.

Now, my plan is to keep the atlantic blue in my qt for at least two months until it gains some significant size and weight. It is nearly paper thin and is literally the size of a penny from tip of mouth to tip of tail. I dont want to risk moving it again and literally stress it to death. So for the time being, until its healthy enough to go to my buddys house, I need some advice on feeding it and getting it good and healthy.

I gave him some cyclopeeze tonight which he showed some interest in but wasnt devouring it by any stretch. Other than the cyclopeeze, i dont have anything small enough for this guy to eat, the pe mysis is half his size!! I tried a very small piece of nori but he showed zero interest. I tried a new era grazing ring but again, no interest. What food should I go buy when the fish store opens tomorrow that will be suitable for such a small fish. Obviously I can continue giving him cyclopeeze but I need to add something else to the mix so he is getting proper nutrition. I am also assuming that being so tiny he needs to be fed about 4x a day correct? Any guidance or advice on how to keep him alive and get him healthy enough for transportation is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help guys. -Greg

 

[Blueline12]

Did you attach the nori to a rock. They like to pick at the rocks. If it was just free floating or hanging on the side of the glass it probably won't go for it. Use a rubber band to attach it to a rock if you have not tried that yet. Good luck.

 

[Blueline12]

Also, live baby brine might entice it to eat.

 

[greg1786]

I tried attatching it to a suction cup via the glass. Ill try rubber banding it to a piece of pvc in there, i dont have any LR in my qt. Maybe ill move it to the frag tank which has LR. Im not sure where I can get baby brine. All the LFS just sell adult brine which I tried this am. He showed interest and tried eating a few but literally could barely get the tail in his mouth and gave up!!

 

[Buzzword]

NutraMar Ova "aka" fish crack. He will inhale the stuff. High quality nutrition, gets the fussiest eater eating. Good luck.

 

[Blueline12]

I tried attatching it to a suction cup via the glass. Ill try rubber banding it to a piece of pvc in there, i dont have any LR in my qt. Maybe ill move it to the frag tank which has LR. Im not sure where I can get baby brine. All the LFS just sell adult brine which I tried this am. He showed interest and tried eating a few but literally could barely get the tail in his mouth and gave up!!

Down here in S. Florida these are everywhere when we snorkel. They love picking on rocks. I wouldn't move it to stress it out more. Just get some small pieces of LR from your frag tank and attach the nori to it.

 

[greg1786]

Down here in S. Florida these are everywhere when we snorkel. They love picking on rocks. I wouldn't move it to stress it out more. Just get some small pieces of LR from your frag tank and attach the nori to it.

The only problem with that is that I do a preventative copper treatment in my qt so ill be killing the LR. I guess one small piece isny a big deal, its far more important for me to get this little guy healthy at the moment. Thanks for the advice blueline!