New sohal tang died... looking for answers

[TommyBoy]

72GA FO tank setup for 2 years. Had him for a week (baby, about 2.5 - 3 inches) and he was eating form.1 and flake. Seemed to be doing well and all tankmates were happy. I have been trying to feed green seaweed select but not interested.
So I tied some purple seaweed purchaced from an Asian food store on 5/3 and he seemed to eat this stuff. Next day he seemed to hide alot and he had like black marks or steaks accross his head. For the next 24 hrs. he stayed under rocks and then died. I just don't understand. Can anyone tell me if the nori purchased from food store could have caused this problem? Water tests out fine and I am completly bummed. This is the fish I have always wanted to have. Anyone have any ideas?

[Bughead]

[img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img] You have my deepest sympathy. It's always hard to lose a fish, and it's harder with the ones we get attached to quickly and strongly.

It seems logical to suspect the red Asian seaweed, although, if the ingredients list nothing but seaweed, no spices or preservatives, that probably isn't the culprit.

I don't know about the black marks across the head. Maybe it was just a sign of the dying process, like turning pale.

I suspect the little tang wasn't healthy when you got him. Fish undergo a heck of a lot of stress and sometimes abuse from the moment of capture until they reach your tank.

My only suggestion is next time you try to get a Sohal that is a little bit larger. Tangs and butterflies seem to fair better when they have a bit of size. Not fully adult, but larger juvenile. Infants are too delicate.

You were on the right track with feeding, but next time try Seaweed Selects for red or brown algae or red Tang Heaven. Do try again, and good luck with Sohal 2.

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If it's broke, don't fix it---hide it.

[TommyBoy]

Thanks Bughead... he was at the lfs for approx. 3 weeks and would say he would be considered small/med. 3 inches. I believe your right on the marks caused by stress. I dont know about another though (pricey). The seaweed wasnt really labled with additional additives. I guess I am wandering if anyone has exp. a death due to seawwed purchased from a grocery store that may have had additional
additives/perservatives? I might be barking up the wrong tree here but i am at a loss.

[Bughead]

Three weeks at the lfs seems to be an adequate amount of time to insure the health of the fish. Some lfs's regularly use copper in their tanks (Petco does here), mistakely assuming it will keep the parasites down. Unfortunately, copper does harm to the tang's delicate digestive system, with sometimes fatal results.

I'm able to get nori and wakame at the grocery stores here. Both products list seaweed only without additives. The wakame is highly salted, so I rinse it very well. My "herbi-fish" are thriving and have never shown any ill affects. Even though I'm sure it would be listed if there was any additive, I have wondered if the labeling is absolutely correct. The reason is, I also buy a product called shirataki, or yam noodles. The lable says it has zero calories. That just sounds too good to be true and somehow I just don't quite believe it. But as far as having any problem with nori or wakame, there's been none.

I know what you mean about spending a lot on a fish that dies and being leery of trying again. I had saved and budgeted to buy a flame angel. Finally I found one that was beautiful and appeared healthy after being at the lfs a week. She settled right in and we named her Ember. She lived one week. After speaking to another lfs that lost 3 flame angels the same day after having them in the store for a week, we determined these fish came from the same supplier and had been cyanide caught. Not only was that $50 down the drain (no pun intended--I don't flush dead fish), but it took the heart out of me and I'm leery to try a flame angel again.
But maybe there's still a Sohal in your future.[img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

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If it's broke, don't fix it---hide it.