Naso not an aggressive eater

[newsalt]

I just got a new Naso Tang. I love the Naso, but haven't successfully kept one for any length of time. I'm thinking this one is headed down the same path. This one has been in the tank a little less than a week. Although it seems to be swimming around normally, isn't harassed by other fish, and picks off the LR and sand, it just isn't very aggressive at feeding time. When I drop food in the tank (Mysis, flake, pellets, nori), it doesn't go after the food with the enthusiasm that the others do. It'll grab some food here and there, but I feel it needs to eat more if it's going to make it. The tank mates are, clowns, hippo, kole, trigger, majestic angel.

Any suggestions to entice it??

Thanks

 

[natebedwell06]

Tank size, qt?

 

[newsalt]

Tank size, qt?

Tank size is 180g. I know I'm breaking one of the 10 commandments, but no QT.

 

[natebedwell06]

How big is the naso? Did you buy from a reliable source? Need to try some live algae or nori banded to a rock

 

[newsalt]

How big is the naso? Did you buy from a reliable source? Need to try some live algae or nori banded to a rock

The Naso is about 3.5" - 4" nose to tip of tail. I got it from a LFS that I've bought from in the past. I have nori banded on a rock in the tank now. When I first put the nori in, I saw it go over to it, peck at it a bit and then swim away.

 

[slgcmg]

What color algae? Try the brown kind. That's what they go after in the sea

 

[ca1ore]

Tank size is 180g. I know I'm breaking one of the 10 commandments, but no QT.

I think you've broken two. #3 - thou shalt quarantine all fish for a period to exceed the spring harvest. #6 - thou shalt not contain a Naso tang in anything less than a tank equivalent to 10 barrels of mead (300 gallons in today's measures).

 

[newsalt]

What color algae? Try the brown kind. That's what they go after in the sea

Didn't know that. I've been using green that I get at a local Asian food store. I'll look for the brown. Thanks!

 

[slgcmg]

If you have an LFS that carries it, try and get some red graciliera (sp?). Tangs love that stuff. You can order it online as well

While Nasos are hardy and less prone to ich than most other tangs, they do have some head issues. If your naso is hiding a lot and not swimming around your tank freely, chances are he is not adjusting well mentally to tank life and they usually die even if they do eat agressively. Had a blond that happened to a while back.

 

[newsalt]

If you have an LFS that carries it, try and get some red graciliera (sp?). Tangs love that stuff. You can order it online as well

While Nasos are hardy and less prone to ich than most other tangs, they do have some head issues. If your naso is hiding a lot and not swimming around your tank freely, chances are he is not adjusting well mentally to tank life and they usually die even if they do eat agressively. Had a blond that happened to a while back.

Thanks

 

[ca1ore]

Just picked up a blonde naso and put it into QT yesterday. Is showing what I believe, and what others have suggested, may be stress blotches (fish did not look happy at the LFS). Initially started it off with nitrofuracin green powder to ease the transition, but it is not eating particularly well. I almost always start new fish out on spirulina brine, which it is eating, but spits out everything else.