Shy Powder Blue Tang

[StayPuft]

A couple of days ago I bought a 4" Powder Blue Tang and it's currently in a 38gal QT. I also put in a large LR for it, since I know they like to graze. It looks good, healthy but it's so incredibly shy! It's always hiding in a PVC pipe when someone is around and barely comes out to eat. It'll dash out to pick at the LR or get some algae from the clip, then quickly dashes back in the PVC. Is this normal behavior for a Powder Blue or it's just the new home? I never had such a shy fish before.

 

[SDguy]

Normal, IME.

 

[StayPuft]

Thanks. Is this normal ongoing behavior or just at first? If it's always gonna be this shy, it'll have a tough time in my main tank.

 

[stykthyn]

they dont transition well. IME this is the one fish that I skip quarantine with as the more they get moved the worse they do.

 

[SDguy]

Mine was shy the first couple weeks in QT. After 4 weeks he was much better, recognizing me as food provider, so not hiding from me. He went into the tank without incident. I personally would never skip QT on a PBT.

 

[chrissreef]

i have the same issue with one of my tanks in QT. I'm going to get some chromis to give him company or a tang from my other QT that isn't shy... I was told this will help him feel more at home.

it will go away, it just takes time.

 

[stykthyn]

off topic: SD guy, what kind of fish is that in your avatar?

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12662229#post12662229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stykthyn
off topic: SD guy, what kind of fish is that in your avatar?

Priolepis nocturna

More off topic: I'd give a kidney for the fish in your avatar...blue strip bicintus...drool!

 

[StayPuft]

Tangs in general are ich magnets so no way I would skip QT with one. I don't want to go through having my DT infected. But getting a small fish to keept it company is a pretty good idea.

 

[stykthyn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12662310#post12662310 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
Priolepis nocturna

More off topic: I'd give a kidney for the fish in your avatar...blue strip bicintus...drool!

then it would kill you to know that used to be my fish before I sold that tank. came into a new LFS store that didnt know what they had and they sold it to me as a clarkii.

 

[flameangel88]

PBT/YT are shy initially but once established it will try to kill or stab all your new additions with their scalpel. They should settle down and eat prepared food after a week. Beautiful fish for sure. Good luck with your new PBT.

 

[LargeAngels]

Like flameamgel stated. A healthy PBT is one bold and mean fish. Most of the problems with PBT is collection. The ones from Sri Lanka and Africa seem to be best. Not to say good ones don't come from other places. One of my favorite fish.

 

[StayPuft]

Well, it's definitely eating. I put in an algae sheet, I come back a few hours later and it's all gone. Goes through at least a couple a day. Also eats prepared frozen food like the Emerald Entre. It just doesn't come out of its PVC pipe when someone is around. Or it does but then goes right back in.

Once I put it in the DT, it'll be a 150gal with the following tank mates: picasso trigger, niger trigger, foxface and yellow canary wrasse. Right now everyone gets along great.

 

[flameangel88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12671215#post12671215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by StayPuft
Well, it's definitely eating. I put in an algae sheet, I come back a few hours later and it's all gone. Goes through at least a couple a day. Also eats prepared frozen food like the Emerald Entre. It just doesn't come out of its PVC pipe when someone is around. Or it does but then goes right back in.

Once I put it in the DT, it'll be a 150gal with the following tank mates: picasso trigger, niger trigger, foxface and yellow canary wrasse. Right now everyone gets along great.

Don't worry in a couple of weeks it will always be out in the open. Mine swim in the open 80-90% of the time and for the last couple of months been fighting its own shadow against the glass for a while and kind of subsided now.

 

[StayPuft]

Will I be able to add a yellow tang AFTER I add the powder blue, like a month afterwards? Or is it better to add them at the same time?

 

[tangers]

same time would be best if possible. down the road you may wish that powder blue was half as shy as he is now!

 

[StayPuft]

I'm not sure if my 38gal QT can support 2 tangs at the same time. That's why I said I wanted to add them a month apart.

 

[Macimage]

I'd pick up a used tank on RC, craigslist or the recycler to qt the yellow tang at the same time. When you are done with it, you can resell it. You shouldn't lose any money and may save the cost of a fish.

Joyce

 

[StayPuft]

lol, my wife would kill me if I bring another fish tank in the house. We have 5 already.

 

[stykthyn]

I like using the rubbermaid storage tubs as temporary QT tanks. dont know if that would be an option for you.