tang not active

[malibumike]

I was hoping someone could help me out with a yellow tang issue i'm having. I recently purchased a 4" yt from my local fish store. to begin the story, the fish place guy for whatever reason had this fish in a refuge tank, i think that what they're called as there was a huge bushy green plant in there. I'm new to this sorry for my vague descriptions. but anyway i watched the tank for a while at the store and he was physically gorgeous, not one noticible problem. he seemed kind of shy but the owner said that when he keeps fish in the bottom tanks on the floor they seem to be a little skidish, knowing this i took this tang home. now, it's been 4 days and he seems extremely lethargic, moves very slowly will not eat brine, clip on algae, flake or anything and kind of seems to just float around likes he's trippin on something. no fast movements at all. from what i've read i understand these fish can take 5-6 days to get acclimated? I was hoping someone could tell me if this is normal behavior at this point in time as i would really like to know if my fish will snap out of it and sober up. any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. also, i would like to mention he seems like he's breathing hevily, though based on footage of yellows on youtube i've seen it's about the same, except mine is much less active then those. in addition, the tang will not be staying in the 37 when he gets bigger, for those of you growling at me. i would really just like to hear responses from others who have had similar problem when purchasing a tang.

37 gallon, 2 powerheads, 1 coralife wood airstone, aqualight with night leds, marineland hang on filter, 300 watt marineland heater, 25lbs of live rock, 2 chromis, 2 tank raised clowns, 1 engineer goby, 15 hermit crabs, 3 emerald crabs (all wild life are doing great and have been in the tank for 2 months now) a few aptasia (came on live rock, not putting corals in this tank). 40 lbs of aragonite substrate. have had water tested the day i bought the tang, and more recently at the lfs and they said water was ideal.

 

[happyface888]

Welcome To Rc, I think I have a similar problem but its my dwarf angel it hides and doesnt swim out much and just stays in one spot. I had tangs in the past but I dont think they were slow, the only thing they did was hide and waited a few days and then they ate. Did you try to use garlic guard or some garlic to help entice the fish to eat? I am guessing that the tang was in the refugium because it was either beaten up or was beating up other tangs. Does it have a place to hide? Tangs usually snap out of it I think. Maybe someone else can help.

 

[malibumike]

happyface, thanks for responding. I don't believe the fish was beaten up as it had no physical blemishes. I have not tried actual garlic, but the flake i tried is a garlic type. Did your angel eventually become more active or does he still hide? My tang does have a cozy place to hide.

 

[kevin2000]

Tangs tend to be sensitive fish that require large and mature tanks ... you have a small and relatively new tank.

I recommend you double check the water quality .. many would argue that your tank was already maxed out (fish capacity wise) before you added the tang.

No offense intended but I think you should return the tang .. your tanks overstocked and the tang isn't going to do well in your tank.

Heres a link that may help.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=739380

 

[malibumike]

I agree, he will go back tommorow. Thank you. Kevin 2000 amd anyone else, what list of creatures would you have for this size tank? I really want mine to look lush, full of life, but understand the welfare of these animals is more important. Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

[deejayfish]

dwarf angels are neat but its only food if you have no corals, gobies, dartfish, clowns.

 

[snusa]

Tangs need a lot of space to swim.