Dying fish- everything else fine HELP!

[Drewbaby]

My sailfin tang has been resting on the bottom and been very sluggish. My water parameters all check out good. Only thing that's a little off is nitrates but still under 10 ppm. They're never 0 so it's not the problem. All my corals look great! My other fish are swimming around no problem. What could be wrong with my fish? He was a little picky while eating last night, but he is that way from time to time and wasn't showing any signs of dying. Now he looks like he is on the edge. I tried feeding him again this morning and he wouldn't touch it. He is only 4.5" so it's not old age. I can't figure it out. He doesn't have any parisites, disease, etc.

Please help.

TIA,
Drew

 

[fishchef]

Could be stress from being in such a small tank. Tangs need plenty of room to swim 90+. Some adapt like my Kole that was in a 55 for 10+ years and now he's in a 125. They're all different.

 

[mcoomer]

Small tank? Am I missing something?

Hard to say what might be wrong. Is the fish on it's side or upright? It doesn't happen very often by I have a Desjardin Sailfin and occasionally it will just chill on a rock or in a corner. Put some nori in the tank and see if that entices the fish to eat. Post up all your parameters and a pic of the fish if you can.

 

[fishchef]

I have read time and time again that a 55 is too small for Tangs. They need breathin' room. Did I miss something? Check the profiles. Lots of info there.

 

[Dave VG]

I have read time and time again that a 55 is too small for Tangs. They need breathin' room.

I agree 55 maybe to small for it. How long have you had it?

 

[scubasteve06]

Do you have enough surface agitation to permit sufficient gas exchange? Tangs need highly oxygenated water because they are such prolific swimmers.

 

[mal1099]

i agree with scubasteve. Is your skimmer working properly and hows the surface aggitation.

 

[scubasteve06]

I would do a small 10% water change and see what happens. If anything at all it can't hurt to try and bring your nitrates down maybe a bigger 20% change would benefit your system more...you said they are never at 0 that could be your main problem even though they aren't ever higher than 10ppm.

 

[gnashty]

how long have you had em?