Yellow Tang with slight fin rotting

[gqluu]

Hi All,

I just bought an established 60 gal salt water setup last sunday from someone that included a yellow tang and marroon clown. Over the past week, I noticed that my yellow tang has been scratching against the rock, going to all the hermit crabs looking for help (i believe he thinks they are cleaner shrimps), and has slight fin rotting on his top fin. I went to my LFS and had the water tested and found nothing wrong with the water quality with the exception of the PH being slightly low.

My LFS thinks I should leave it alone to let the tank and biological cycle reset itself from the move. They also suggested that I could use a product called "Melafix" by API. I'm also considering buying a cleaner shrimp. Would anyone have any suggestions on what I should do to help my poor Yellow Tang?

Kenny

 

[Chris27]

If you only have two fish in there right now, I would suggest you remove both and actively QT them for a few weeks. That way, your tank can get stabilized and you can start fresh with fat healthy fish and a parasite free tank.

The simple task of feeding a fish in QT is beneficial in itself simply because the fish can get used to your feeding and husbandry practices in a small stress free environment. Often times, you throw a new fish in a large tank and it will hide for a few days or weeks. That's rarely the case in a small QT, they are ready to eat because you can put the food right under their nose and not have to wait for some to drift into their hiding spot.

 

[gqluu]

Thanks for the reply. My fish are actually eating fine and come looking for food. Do you think a QT is still necessary? What do you think about the idea of getting a cleaner shrimp? Btw, my clown is doing fine.

 

[Chris27]

Cleaner shrimp are great additions to the tank, but they are by no means a solution to a parasite problem. They will clean fish, but relying on them to remove parasites on a regular basis is iffy at best. QT is always necessary, no matter how far along you are, the benefits far outweigh the cost and effort. Spending $50 on a QT setup can save you $100's in dead fish....