nipping tang

[detz15]

I have a regal blue tang and in my reef tank. A couple of weeks ago he was picking on my trachophylia brain and was causing it to stay closed up.

I protected the coral and let it heal for a couple of weeks and then when I took the protection away the fish immediately began pecking at it again. I don't know what to do.

Any advice on detering the fish or what do I need to do?

Thanks

 

[Murph72]

My sailfin did that with my Wellso. Coincidently, my tangs in the tank next to it did the same thing, so I moved it to the Sailfin's tank.
I was told that I was not feeding the tangs enough veggies if they were picking on my brains. I increased the amount of nori that I gave them. He has stopped picking at the coral now, but he did steal the food from it last night. Unfortunately, the coral has yet to open since the trauma. But, it's certainly something you can try.

 

[Julio]

have you tried placing nori in the tank on a clip?

 

[detz15]

I put nori in the tank on a clip, but maybe it is not enough. I will start putiting it in there more often and see if that solves the problem.

 

[miked0523]

I have a regal blue tang that started doing the same thing. The fish did not bother anything for about 7 months then all off a sudden it started to pick at my brain and xenias. I tried feeding it more I was already giving them nori everyday, and moving the corals around but no luck. i eventually moved the xenia and brain to another tank where they have recovered nicely. After some research I learned that some tangs about 30% will eat coral even though everyone says they are reef safe. They are particular most likely to eat xenia's and fleshy corals like brains and fungias.

 

[Murph72]

I have put in nori, but it only works while the nori is in the tank. As I'm not home constantly to replenish the supply, at some point the coral is back on the menu.

I'm thinking about moving a brain back to the other tank, removing the yellow and seeing if any other tangs attack it. If not, I'd be OK with removing one fish, I just don't want to have to remove all of them.

 

[miked0523]

My yellow tang never bothers any of the corals. I also have smaller regal that does not either. not yet at least.

 

[Murph72]

I guess that I'm not as lucky as you Mike. I have a yellow in both tanks and they both pick at the Wellsos. My sailfin is doing it too. I just wonder which other ones are doing it while I'm not watching. I would hate to get rid of the sailfin, as I think he's really an attractive fish.

 

[detz15]

I could not get my blue tang to stop nipping so I had to catch him and take him back to the store. It was a shame but it had to happen or else I am sure the tang would have eventually killed the coral.

The coral is much happier now and is opening up fully and healing.

 

[AngelReefer]

Never had problems with my tangs. I guess I am just lucky

 

[AngelReefer]

sorry I meant my sailfin