[CRJDriver]

Hey all, I thought I'd try and post some pics of my tanks since you all help me get it up and running, but I can't seem to figure out how. I've tried the little attachment button on the top, but the window just sits there when I try and upload the photos from my computer. Any suggestions?

I'm also having a hard time getting a Naso Tang to eat. The fish store said it was eating the day before I purchased it. I've tried Mysis shrimp, green dried seaweed, and Formula Two. Does anyone have any ideas that it couldn't resist? I know its common for them not to eat after you acclimate them for a few days, but I thought I'd try and get ahead of the matter. Its swimming around fine and appears to be healthy as its a pretty thick fish and has beautiful color. Thanks

[leebca]

Each of the two subjects in your post seems to better off in other Forums.

We have a photo forum and I'm sure Poseidon can help you with pictures.

With regards to the Naso Tang, how long is it?

When a store says the fish was eating, ask to see it eat. Store people get 'confused' a lot and forget easily which fish is which. If the store people won't actually show you the fish eating, then move on. You said it was eating at the store. What was it eating at the store? Have your tried the exact same food (even the same brand, size, etc.)?

I don't suppose the tang is in a quarantine tank (QT)? While in the QT it is fairly easily to get it to eat. Once 'free' in the open aquarium, it is harder to entice it to eat. In the QT you can get it to 'focus' on the foods you're providing.

They usually won't eat because of stress. They, like many tangs won't eat while under stress. You're tempting it with the right kinds of foods, you just need to try and discover the source of stress.

What size tank is it in?
Any other tank mates? What are they eating?
Water quality where it belongs? Tangs like a pH of around 8.3 What are your chemistries?

You can do a large (70%) water change and see if the fish perks up any.

[CRJDriver]

I'll post the pic question in the approriate forum.

As far as the tang...about 5" long. The LFS was able to tell me which fish weren't eating, its not that big of a store. I have a 75 gal tank, its tankmate are 4 chromis, 1 coral beauty, a yellow tang, and a Kole yellow eye tang (both of which have been in the tank for about 3 weeks) and 1 clown. I've seen no agression between any of them. The Naso tang is much bigger than the rest of the fish by far and was introduced last (no QT tank) along with the clown. Clown is eating fine. I just took the readings....temp - 79, ph - 8.2, nitrate - 10ppm, Nitrite - 0ppm, Ammonia - .25

I've seen it go after the dried seaweed, but then it seems to spit it back out. Hope some of this info helps! Thanks

[leebca]

Thanks for the info! It was helpful to complete the 'picture.'

The tang's eating problem, is coming from one or more of the following, IMHO, in order of mostly likely to least likely:

Stress
Probably just at the end of its stress limit. This fish needs to be in a tank more than 3 times the size it is currently in. This fish has come through the system where it was in an open sea, for the last several weeks, in the wrong sized-container. It's just had it! It will always be under stress in your tank. Not eating is one sign of stress. For a much more detailed understanding of stress, you might want to read this post:
Stress (and the Single Marine Fish)

Just to put things into perspective. . .If I was going to quarantine this fish I would choose a tank of no less than 40 gallons, but would prefer to put it into my 70 gallon quarantine tank. That would be its minimum proper home (alone) for no more than 8 weeks. Also, I have a 3" Naso Tang -- in my 300 gallon aquarium.

Water Quality/Environment
Too many fish added in too short of time creates a major shift in the micro-life in the system. Such micro-life which is mostly responsible for a healthy, steady, mature tank need time to adjust to new fish. That large of fish entering so close on the 'heels' of the previous additions has created a small biological upheaval, placing the system into a biological state of flux. This tang, like most tangs are sensitive to these conditions. The hint of ammonia is just the tip of the iceberg. These shifts/changes are not measurable by home test kits. That is why additions are spaced out over time and fish are recommended to only be added to 'mature tanks.'

Tank Mates
In that sized aquarium: too many tangs. That aquarium would be suitable to house one single tang that remains 'smallish' -- maybe one Kole (Yellow Eye) tang or one Yellow Tang or one Sailfin Tang would be the max that system can handle, but not anyone of the Naso sp..

Health Issues
The tang, like many fishes, can have an intestinal worm(s). It could have brought with it some other health issues, or is just now picking up health issues from the fish that were already there. To eliminate this possibility, the fish will have to be monitored closely for any signs of health, infection, illness issues.



I'm not telling you what to do, you have to make your own mind up. The fish needs a new home, if you can find it soon. I think one option would be to take the fish back for credit (if the LFS will do that) or take the fish back to the LFS and tell them to sell it to someone with a larger tank and when it sells to give you credit. If it dies in their care, you're out the $.

IMO your LFS whom you trust should not have sold you that fish (eating or otherwise) if your LFS knew the size tank you were putting it into. Considering either their ignorance or deception, I'd definitely want to see fish eating before you make any future purchases from them. Also, feel free to come here to Reefland and ask around about about additions to your tank to get other's opinions.

Good luck! Visit the Marine Fish: Care, Health and Disease Treatment Forum!

[DaviesPats]

ahhh a lesson i have learned from the great forum gods...ALWAYS ask to see the fish eat...if they say they've already eaten...DONT GET IT...or of course wait