I have a yellow tang that appears to have gone crazy. First a little background, I'm a complete noob to the hobby, and was somewhat forced into it. My sig. other was recently sold a biorb tank which was set up by the pet store. the tank came with two live rocks, a clown fish, a damsel, and a tang. Though I didn't know anything about marine fish I am a biologist, and could tell that this wasn't a good situation. The tank seems too small for 3 fish. The clown and damsel are small, but the tang is about the size of an adults hand. Since she purchased the tank, I have adjusted the salinity to the about 1.021, and have adjusted the ph. The salinity was low, and the pH was about 7.00 when she bought he tank. I also installed a heater in the aquarium and have it set at about ~78F. In the mean time I bought a 55 g aquarium which I have set up and am currently cycling, I plan to transplant the fish to this tank once the Nitrogen levels are at the right level. Now to the problem. I went to feed the fish this morning, and shortly after adding the food the Tang started swimming rapidly in a frantic matter, butting its head against the substrate, and the rocks in the tank. The tang managed to cut his mouth in the process. At first I though maybe the heater fritzed out and he was being electrocuted, but the other fish seemed ok so I ruled that out. He calmed down after a little while, but I'm worried that he/she(?) might seriously injure himself if he freaks out again. Any idea what could cause such a sudden outburst? Now that I've been hooked into this I look forward to getting the new tank going, but wish I didn't have to enter the hobby in such a manner. I just hope the fish survive long enough to make it into the new tank.
Frantic Tang thrashing about tank
- Thread starter dlntx9
- Start date
Hattie B
Member
Hi dlntx9,
Welcome to RC.
You didn't say what size tank they are currently in. Stress/chronic stress can be very bad for our marine friends.
What about the other parameters?
How is the ammonia, nitrates esc.
Are you adjusting the PH up? 7 is low.
Your guy is probably stressed and with a cut mouth you need to be on the lookout for secondary infections and possibilty treat if he does get an infection.
Make sure you feed him with vitamins to help his immune system. Also depending on how big the tank is make sure there is enough places for each fish to hide and feel safe.
If this guy is in a small tank like 10-20g then you will probably have a problem moving forward with stress. A 55g would be a better option but if you want to keep this fish you should consider even larger like 75g for health.
Also you should get a grounding wire just to be on the safe side. =)
HB
Welcome to RC.
You didn't say what size tank they are currently in. Stress/chronic stress can be very bad for our marine friends.
What about the other parameters?
How is the ammonia, nitrates esc.
Are you adjusting the PH up? 7 is low.
Your guy is probably stressed and with a cut mouth you need to be on the lookout for secondary infections and possibilty treat if he does get an infection.
Make sure you feed him with vitamins to help his immune system. Also depending on how big the tank is make sure there is enough places for each fish to hide and feel safe.
If this guy is in a small tank like 10-20g then you will probably have a problem moving forward with stress. A 55g would be a better option but if you want to keep this fish you should consider even larger like 75g for health.
Also you should get a grounding wire just to be on the safe side. =)
HB
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