Squaretail bristletooth tang - tiny from DD - suggestions

[hvacman250]

Received an order Friday from DD for a 2" squaretail bristletooth tang.
But...he's 1.25" MAX.

I've owned all sorts of fish over the years (20+) and consider myself pretty advanced, but Ive never had a fish this small.

Fish is in a 20H by himself, and has refused live blackworms and mysis so far. Its only been 48 hours, but any suggestions with a fish this small.

I'm assuming he is more fragile than a larger tang? I am going to try red/green nori sheet today, but have never had much luck with BT tangs and nori.

 

[Deinonych]

Try the mini grazer rings from New Era Aquaculture. They mimic their natural feeding habits. My Kole Tang wouldn't eat anything in QT, but he went nuts for the feeding ring. Looks like most online stores are out of stock, but perhaps you can find one at a LFS.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DI239UA

 

[fairl80z]

I have one of these fish . And when I first got him he would only nip at formula one flakes

 

[AUFishGuy]

Just got one from DD about a month ago. He would hardly come out of tge pvc while in QT even to eat. Very skiddish when i was around. I would feed and then leave the room. he would come out and eat as long as i wasnt standing there. i have him in the DT now and he crushes anything i put in the tank. you can tell he is much more comfortable with having live rock vs the bare bottom with pvc

 

[hvacman250]

Just got one from DD about a month ago. He would hardly come out of tge pvc while in QT even to eat. Very skiddish when i was around. I would feed and then leave the room. he would come out and eat as long as i wasnt standing there. i have him in the DT now and he crushes anything i put in the tank. you can tell he is much more comfortable with having live rock vs the bare bottom with pvc

My fear is the fish in the 220 are established and BIG. Tank has been running 5 years and some of the fish are 8+ years old.
A 1.25" tang is a tank that big with fish that big could get killed quick.
Maybe I'm overreacting, and they will leave him alone. There are no other tangs in the tank, though.

 

[Deinonych]

My fear is the fish in the 220 are established and BIG. Tank has been running 5 years and some of the fish are 8+ years old.
A 1.25" tang is a tank that big with fish that big could get killed quick.
Maybe I'm overreacting, and they will leave him alone. There are no other tangs in the tank, though.

You may have to extend your QT period significantly, if possible, to enable the fish to grow a bit before introducing to the DT. I realize that may not be feasible.

 

[hvacman250]

You may have to extend your QT period significantly, if possible, to enable the fish to grow a bit before introducing to the DT. I realize that may not be feasible.

Well, after QT he will have to go in the fuge with 2 Bangaiis until bigger, which irks me, because he was bought to help with algae since I sold the yellow tang and foxface.

Guess I should have paid more attention to the size.

 

[DLreef]

You may have to extend your QT period significantly, if possible, to enable the fish to grow a bit before introducing to the DT. I realize that may not be feasible.

+1

But I think you mean a grow-out tank :thumbsup:

 

[Deinonych]

+1

But I think you mean a grow-out tank :thumbsup:

Yup.