Powder Blue Tang Issue

[Bauer92184]

Hello everyone, I bought this powder blue tang about a month ago now, it has been in QT ever since. Over the past couple of days is has been swimming erratically and occasionally just staying in the same spot kind of hovering diagonally. It has a discoloring on its sides, it almost black/grayish in color. Does anyone know what this could be; I have searched and found nothing that resembles it. My water parameters are fine and I do a 10% WC about every other or every third day.

Thank You

 

[MrTuskfish]

Looks like HLLE and/or he's malnourished. How's his appetite and what are you feeding? Do you have places for him to hide? Is the Qt cycled, any ammonia problems?

 

[Bauer92184]

I am feeding a mix of Spectrum Pellets and a sample of Blue Zoo mix that came when I ordered the fish, the pellets is what I feed the fish in my DT. He was eating well up to a few days ago, now he is not as excited when it is feeding time. The QT is cycled, I use a piece of filter media that I had in my fuge for months. Ammonia level is "safe" according to the Sechem warning circle thing. I do have a couple pieces of PVC pipe in the tank but he never would really go in there to hide

 

[Dreaco]

i would try some dried seaweed and see if he eats that. maybe a 50% water change.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I can't guarantee a cure; but,IMO, this fish need a lot more variety than just one brand of pellets. The BZ sample is just a few days worth. Tangs need greens,(seaweed, algae, nori) and meaty stuff (mysis, enriched brine, etc). I'd add some vitamins too. The marketing people at NLS have a lot of hobbyists convinced that all fish need are their pellets. I think this is a very poor idea. NLS may be a good food, but all fish need variety and this fish isn't getting it. I agree with Dreaco too, a big WC may help.

 

[lagatbezan]

Are you treating with any meds currently in the qt? Also how big is the qt?
yeah do a large water change and see what happens. How long do you usually qt them before adding them to the dt?

 

[ariel47]

Could be internal parasites? My powder blue was looking very thin even though eating good, I started spraying his nori with parcacide allowing it to dry. I fed this for 7 days. Now it's fat with better coloration.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Could be internal parasites? My powder blue was looking very thin even though eating good, I started spraying his nori with parcacide allowing it to dry. I fed this for 7 days. Now it's fat with better coloration.

It could be. IMO, this is one very sick fish and I don't think you're just going to just feed it back to health. Again, IMO, I think you're at the point where you have to try anything that sounds reasonable. treating for internal parasites, WCs , and improved diet would be a good start.

 

[Chris27]

If internal parasites are suspected, observing the fish while it's poo'ing can sometimes provide answers. Fish poo should come out looking just like it went in, vice long stringy messes.

Additionally, tangs with the exception of the Hippo/Regal, are about 90% herbivorous, meaning that feeding a steady diet NLS pellets is likely starving it. For fat healthy tangs, you need to provide a great deal of sheet algae daily. It's also important to note that tangs are like hound dogs in that if something goes in, something usually comes right out, so multiple feedings per day is preferred over a once daily feeding.

 

[MrTuskfish]

If internal parasites are suspected, observing the fish while it's poo'ing can sometimes provide answers. Fish poo should come out looking just like it went in, vice long stringy messes.

Additionally, tangs with the exception of the Hippo/Regal, are about 90% herbivorous, meaning that feeding a steady diet NLS pellets is likely starving it. For fat healthy tangs, you need to provide a great deal of sheet algae daily. It's also important to note that tangs are like hound dogs in that if something goes in, something usually comes right out, so multiple feedings per day is preferred over a once daily feeding.

Yeah; any herbivores, like tangs or cows, need to feed almost continuously to get the nutrition they need. Plant matter has a lot less nutrients per ounce than meat. That's also why cows and tangs have similar bowel habits (this PC- pun intended- crap is killing me). I've always felt that fish herbivores also get a lot of small animal life as the graze too; thus the need for a varied diet ---primarily veggie though. Also, tangs in a QT don't have the benefit of grazing on mature LR. I always keep a piece of softened turnip greens or broccoli for herbivores in a QT too. it lasts a ling time and despite losing favor to the packaged nori products, is still a great herbivore staple. (IMO & IME)