Juv. Chocolate Tang Behavior

[dirtyclownfish]

Ever since I purchased my Chocolate Tang and acclimated it, it has not been the big exuberant Acantherus genus tang that you usually see boldly swimming in front of the reef, I is a quiet, subdued fish that spends its time swimming in and out of crevices and cautiously minding its own business, as if it were scared that the Perculas would gang up on it at any time. It hides when I do the MagFloat, and becomes worried when I move quickly in front of the tank. It this cautious behavior normal for a juvenile or shall I send him to boot camp?

 

[Reeftanks6]

I had one in my 90g and it was about 5 inches and had its true colors. Or adult colors. It was a very nice tang. It was always out and about picking off the rocks. Great fish wouldnt mind buying another one any day.

 

[cl2ysta1]

my juvi orange shoulder acted like this the first three months I had it. when it got bigger it really opened up

 

[dirtyclownfish]

Right now, it swims from one corner of the tank, behind the rockwork, to the other corner, studies its reflection and than goes back to the other.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Yea i think they are shy when they are young but he should brighten up.

 

[Kahuna Tuna]

That is perfectly normal mimic tang behavior when they are small. This species is one of the mellower Acanthrus and does not have the large tail spines of other species, this is why this species mimics a spikier fish, namely several dwarf angels. As this fish grows its acanthus gets much bigger and sharper and it loses its mimic coloration. I have had mine since it was a tiny 1 1/2 inches and it was very shy at that size. It is about 4 1/2 inches now and one of my bolder fish.

 

[dirtyclownfish]

I added garlic to the tank, FEEDING FRENZY I tell you, the fish has a new passion: FOOD. It consumed two blocks of Mysis and one block of Spirulina.