[PortWash]

I added a small Blue Tang(about 2") to my tank along with an Ocellaris on Tuesday (1/29). I didnt quarantine and I have reasons but none suffice. Impatience to have fish in the setup I have had going since November got the best of me. To the point though: my ocellaris is doing great swimming and eating both my homemade seafood blend and flake. However, my tang just hides under rocks.I have 150lbs of LR so there are plenty of places for him/her to hide. During the night he/she will change his/her location. WHAT CAN I DO?

Also I keep Nori clipped in the tank so he could be eating but there isnt a significant amount gone when I have been changing so I cant tell if he is eating it.

[leebca]

I hope you understand that part of the quarantine process is to train the fish to eat prepared foods. You've bypassed an important part of marine fish acclimation to captive life.

At this point the best you can do is continue to offer marine algae. Do so using different presentations (sink it under a rock near where it hangs, float it, clip it half way into the tank, etc.). A young Tang will usually 'freak out' when put into a strange place. Give it some time and hope for the best.

Try to exercise more patience in the future. You want to protect your investment and since insurance isn't available in the hobby yet, your best is to setup and use a quarantine process.

Good luck!

[PortWash]

Point well taken with the quarantine process. I was stressed thinking about my fish. The tang still hides when I am around but I saw him swimming yesterday only to hide when he saw me. Sinking the nori to the area he was hidding worked as the nori was mostly eaten the day after. I am hoping that he will begin swimming with me around. Patience is something I need to work on with fish care, it is the most difficult for me. Would a large food grade plastic container work as a quarantine device or does it have to be a glass or acryllic tank?

Also I appreciate your advice. Thank You

[leebca]

One important aspect of the quarantine process is that the new owner be able to see and inspect the entire fish many times during the day, by looking through the container. If the container you have in mind will let you do that, then it is okay.

If the fish is still shy, try sitting in front of the tank for hours (2 at least). Just sit there. Avoid sudden and excessive movements. Don't sit there like a statue. See if the fish doesn't come forward when it comes to the conclusion you don't mean it any harm.

It's important that you don't stare at the fish or its hiding hole. It may sound strange to you, but fish have an inner sense when they are being watched. I can still freak out one of my pet fishes that know me very well if I begin to stare at it!

It is the way Ma Nature has given the little fishes a sense of when they are being watched by a potential predator. Act like you don't care of the fish comes out and don't look at where the fish is hiding at all.

[PortWash]

That is interesting. I am going to try that tonight. I will just watch the other fish. That is great information thank you.

With regard to the quarantine vessile the one I had in mind will only provide top view but to your point being able to watch the fish in quarantine will aide in my patience of keeping him there for an appropriate length of time. I will just keep my eyes out for a used glass or acryllic tank.