hello i recently bought a yellow tang and a percula clown fish. the tang was supposed to eat green hair algea and although i don't see any difference yet i do notice that he is lightening in color (turning white in spots) the top of his head and the bottom of him and a small section along his sides. i was told that this is caused by not enough algea for him to eat but i assure you there is plenty. i have cut back my lighting to only 4-6 hours max a day to reduce the growth of the hair algea (red and green). i have seen ick before and am 98% positive this is not the case. any help would be greatly appreciated.
yellow tang help
- Thread starter greg97527
- Start date
I have yet to see a yellow tang eat hair algae.Put some nori on a lettuce clip for him and i bet you he eats.Hair algae is caused by nutrient levels. How old is your tank? If it is less than 6 months hair algae is just part of life for now...lol. Just do lots of water changes and that should help to drop the nitrates. What are your phosphate levels?
I have nori on a clip in my tank at all times for my tangs. And they graze all day. But i have 2 tangs and a friend has a yellow tang and we both still have hair algae...
Lisa
I have nori on a clip in my tank at all times for my tangs. And they graze all day. But i have 2 tangs and a friend has a yellow tang and we both still have hair algae...
Lisa
the tank is a couple years old.
the test kit i have tests for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and ph.
can't afford the phosphate or calcium test kits right now.
my LFS didnt have any lettuce clips so the dried seeweed i just wrap around a rock.
if anyone out there has any extra test kits lying around I would be willing to work out a trade or something. I have a large amount of margarita snails and i could ship say 15-20 or so in trade.
the test kit i have tests for nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and ph.
can't afford the phosphate or calcium test kits right now.
my LFS didnt have any lettuce clips so the dried seeweed i just wrap around a rock.
if anyone out there has any extra test kits lying around I would be willing to work out a trade or something. I have a large amount of margarita snails and i could ship say 15-20 or so in trade.
Steven Pro
New member
Could you please post those numbers?
well sad to say but my yellow tang has passed on to fish heaven.
I'm about done with fish period. probably gonna go with snails shrimp and hermit crabs. nothing but inverts. fed up here lol.
all levels are perfect from the test kit i have. i dont have any way to test for phosphates, alkalinity or calcium. would any of these probably be my problem? for some dam reason the only fish that i can keep alive are damsels.
I'm about done with fish period. probably gonna go with snails shrimp and hermit crabs. nothing but inverts. fed up here lol.
all levels are perfect from the test kit i have. i dont have any way to test for phosphates, alkalinity or calcium. would any of these probably be my problem? for some dam reason the only fish that i can keep alive are damsels.
holy $*** i went and traded some margarita snails at my LFS for a phosphate test kit and i found my problem. the readings are through the roof. he has some little material that you put in a phosphate sock and attach to the outlet on your skimmer that will absorb the phosphates. finally ill be rid of the algea, or atleast way better off and can keep my fish alive. also he said that usually phosphates can harm inverts before the fish but my inverts are just fine. just posting back to let everyone know. and btw the phosphate reading was 0.8 to 1.0 **hangs head in shame**
Steven Pro
New member
I don't believe phosphate is toxic to fish. It is certainly fueling your algae troubles, but it should not be bothering your fish. Could you please post actual numbers for what all you can test?
