Replacing yellow tang...too shy

[jesterisdead]

My fish were skittish for a long time and I didn't know why till one day I snuck around the corner as I hear something and thought our dog was chewing furniture and it was one of our cats constantly jumping at the glass and spoiling them. Nothing I could do about that but give it time. Now they think even the cat has food for them. Sudden moves spook them but they only start getting "shy" as the lights go down at night.

 

[ca1ore]

+1 Never seen a shy YT. They are one of the most aggressive Zebrasoma. Always out, trying to kick somebody's a--.

That's been my experience too, but maybe the OP just ended up with an ISTP (obscure Meyers-Briggs reference :lol. I've got a hippo that bolts anytime anyone approaches the tank, but not the yellow.

I like the Kole and Tomini (never had a chocolate), but agree if you are willing to foot the entry fee, Chevron is my favorite. Among the minority I am in liking the adult coloration (channeling my best Yoda).

FWIW, while I strongy agree on QT all tangs, I can NEVER get any of mine to eat nori in QT. They take to it quickly in the DT, but not in QT. Go figure!

 

[HumbleFish]

FWIW, while I strongy agree on QT all tangs, I can NEVER get any of mine to eat nori in QT. They take to it quickly in the DT, but not in QT. Go figure!

Same here - I always figured they just didn't like the taste of "CP laced" nori. But maybe it's more of a "fishy see, fishy do" kinda thing. :hmm5:

 

[Megatrev62]

Thanks for all the help. The chevron is a beauty.

I did some thinking on this tang. I got it from a fellow reefer about 18 months ago, as I say. It was in a 90 gallon with only a pair of banggai cardinals, and even then I found it to be shy. But this guy lives alone and was gone alot.The tank was full of live rock. Do you think that that would have something to do with his behaviour? Just guessing. Thanks

 

[HumbleFish]

I did some thinking on this tang. I got it from a fellow reefer about 18 months ago, as I say. It was in a 90 gallon with only a pair of banggai cardinals, and even then I found it to be shy. But this guy lives alone and was gone alot.The tank was full of live rock. Do you think that that would have something to do with his behaviour? Just guessing. Thanks

You may be on to something. The thought of fish hiding is sort of incomprehensible to me, as mine are always out. Except for a few like the Watchman Goby who lives under a rock. But all the "active swimmers" will even swim to one side of the tank and aggressively beg for food whenever they see me (or my wife).

But the thing is I feed 2-3x daily. So, I guess their staying out behavior is being rewarded. Whereas with your YT, it didn't matter if he stayed out or not. I'm guessing the previous owner either used an automatic feeder, or was in the room so seldom that the YT never made the correlation between him & food.

Now that I'm thinking about it, my fish do become timid and shy if someone is over they don't recognize. But they stay out & beg the lady who takes care of my tank while we're away, so I guess they've learned she's OK.

 

[Megatrev62]

Yes I agree with interaction with the hand that feeds them. Maybe the lack of interaction with the fish has made it quite shy.(He definitely did not have an auto feeder). Thought for sure that would turn around, but it did not. I know the tang should be front and center, but no go. Sitting here watching the tank, he rarely ventures out. It just amazes me. I rarely have hands in tank and there is nothing in the tank for him to feel threatened in any way. Thanks for all your input. Looking at catching him between tonight and tomorrow....Fun times!!!

 

[DopeCantWin]

My Foxface was very shy in my 90, in my 210 he eats from my hands. Now whenever I'm anywhere near the tank, every fish is in that corner excited and begging for food. I think it's a combination of fixing my other issues like extremely clean water and having an appropriate size tank went a long way. I feel like if you get another Tang, you might find you still have the same problem as the Yellow.

 

[Megatrev62]

What do you think the problem is?

 

[DopeCantWin]

What do you think the problem is?

A Yellow Tang is a little big for a 90 gallon. The recommendation from this site are http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946079, so a 100 that's 5 feet long. But you're pretty close, so what are your other parameters? What kind of Skimmer do you have and how often do you clean out the neck? Are all the fish treated for Ich and with Prazipro. What's your water change schedule like? Are you feeding couple times a day, including Nori?

 

[Megatrev62]

Thanks but I'm not going to list all that. Tank is very well maintained, never ich, never medicine.The tang is with me for 18 months and I know who's taking it. Too much rock is possible too. But this fish does not behave like a typical yellow tang for all that time. Lovin the rock. I'll be trying another tang just not sure which. When I get another I will definitely post if this problem persists. Thanks

 

[Deinonych]

Same here - I always figured they just didn't like the taste of "CP laced" nori. :hmm5:

I think there's some truth to this. My foxface wouldn't touch nori in QT, even after CP treatment was completed. Now he goes after it with a vengeance...even begs for it at feeding time.

 

[Megatrev62]

Real weird. Saw the largest of my chromis give the tang a dirty look when he came out earlier. Tang bolted in the rocks.... ?? They posture at eachother lately, but really...........

 

[HumbleFish]

Real weird. Saw the largest of my chromis give the tang a dirty look when he came out earlier. Tang bolted in the rocks.... ?? They posture at eachother lately, but really...........

Seriously, a chromis?! No offense, but that's a wussy YT you've got there. Talk about going against the grain.....

 

[Megatrev62]

Tell me about it. I'm supposed to catch him tonight...wish me luck!!1

 

[Megatrev62]

Holy Jesus finally got him out and gone. God love my wife ...................... she helped!!!! Used a plastic colander and got him in 5 mins. Brutal......but he be gone. :bounce1: