Naso Tang not eating/sleeping

[KingMinnow]

Hey Experts, got one for ya...

I have 4 fish in my tank, all infants.

• Naso Tang
• Foxface
• Orange Tail Damsel
• Powder Blue Tang

Ever since installing my VHO lights last week ( I think I had them on too long, 10 hours/day for a week) my Naso hasn't been eating, and developed a dark color for a few days, then started getting white spots just behind his eyes and along his dorsal. I think its ich. I reduced the time the lights are on, and did a water change (30 Gallons, Its a 180 Gallon tank). Checked all the chemicals, they all test out good, I even added Garlic Oil to his food, and he's still not eating. Its been 5 days since he ate. He is a little dazed, bumping into the sides of the tank, and the live rock in the tank. He still has lots of energy, but he is not eating. What can I do?

nick

[Saltwater]

If this Naso is under 4 inches it is very tough to keep them, A Naso has a better survival rate when they are 4 inches or larger.
How big is it?

You said "developed a dark color for a few days" and they will do this when they are stressed but it sounds like Ich also.

What are you feeding this fish (Garlic Soaked)?
How long have you had it?
Does the stomach looked pinched?

Here are a few things wetweb says on them:

Size Size at purchase I've lumped here to illustrate the link between it and body conformation. Smaller than 4" Naso tangs rarely live adapt to living in captivity, unless they're un-starved and placed in a setting with unlimited access to food. My advice? Buy larger (four plus inch) unicornfishes.

Social "disease"; apparent "sulking" should not be ignored. Find and cure the cause(s) ASAP; generally too small a tank, bullying by a tankmate, change in decor (move it back)...

[KingMinnow]

He is about 4" long, we've had him for about 2 months or so.
He was very dark, for a day or so, I think the addition of the lights and the fact that they weren't on a timer for the first week or so didn't help. (Now they are).

I have been feeding him Spinich flake for a couple of days, and I soaked them in 2 drops of Garlic Oil before feeding twice a day. The other fish eat normally, but he won't eat it.

I also tried Mysis shrimp in Garlic Oil, same thing. And no, the stomach doesn't look pinched at all, still looks normal, except for a few white spots above/behind the eyes.

Nick

If this Naso is under 4 inches it is very tough to keep them, A Naso has a better survival rate when they are 4 inches or larger.
How big is it?

You said "developed a dark color for a few days" and they will do this when they are stressed but it sounds like Ich also.

What are you feeding this fish (Garlic Soaked)?
How long have you had it?
Does the stomach looked pinched?

Here are a few things wetweb says on them:

Size Size at purchase I've lumped here to illustrate the link between it and body conformation. Smaller than 4" Naso tangs rarely live adapt to living in captivity, unless they're un-starved and placed in a setting with unlimited access to food. My advice? Buy larger (four plus inch) unicornfishes.

Social "disease"; apparent "sulking" should not be ignored. Find and cure the cause(s) ASAP; generally too small a tank, bullying by a tankmate, change in decor (move it back)...

[Saltwater]

Normally I would say with Ich treat with a FW dip but this fish it is already so stressed. I would worry about something like this for it. I am suprised the PBT does not have Ich, keep feeding the garlic to that fish.
Try hanging Nori/Seaweed in the tank and maybe it will come out at it's own leisure to eat. You can also soak this in garlic before hanging it in the tank.

If the stomach does not look pinched thats good, I hope it can adjust to your new lighting. Maybe you can keep the lights down some for it right now and acclimate it to your lighting schedule, just to help calm the fish down.

Some one may chime in on this thread that has dealt with a stressed Naso, I will try to find more info for you on this subject.

[KingMinnow]

When I came home from work today, I tried feeding them again, (even soaked the seaweed in garlic, then put it in the tank with the Spinach flake) and he still isn't eating, and now his stomach does have a defined pinch. I guess we're gonna lose him, I've tried everything. Should I turn the lights off altogether, like it was before the problem?

Nick

Normally I would say with Ich treat with a FW dip but this fish it is already so stressed. I would worry about something like this for it. I am suprised the PBT does not have Ich, keep feeding the garlic to that fish.
Try hanging Nori/Seaweed in the tank and maybe it will come out at it's own leisure to eat. You can also soak this in garlic before hanging it in the tank.

If the stomach does not look pinched thats good, I hope it can adjust to your new lighting. Maybe you can keep the lights down some for it right now and acclimate it to your lighting schedule, just to help calm the fish down.

Some one may chime in on this thread that has dealt with a stressed Naso, I will try to find more info for you on this subject.

[Saltwater]

I would turn the lights off, if the stomach is pinched this fish is starving. It may not start eating again, Naso do this for unknow reasons. Young Naso usually once they stop they wont start up again.

It's hard to say what happened they need a stable enviroment and are fussy with changes. I really hope your fish eats again.

[KingMinnow]

Me too, thanks bro.

Nick

I would turn the lights off, if the stomach is pinched this fish is starving. It may not start eating again, Naso do this for unknow reasons. Young Naso usually once they stop they wont start up again.

It's hard to say what happened they need a stable enviroment and are fussy with changes. I really hope your fish eats again.