YtangdisF7

FAQs about Yellow Tang Disease/Health 7

FAQs on Yellow Tang Disease: Disease 1, Disease 2, Disease 3, Disease 4, Disease 5, Disease 6, Disease 8, Yellow Tang Disease 9, Yellow Tang Disease 10, Yellow Tang Disease 11, Yellow Tang Disease 12, Yellow Tang Disease 13, Yellow Tang Disease 14, Yellow Tang Disease , & Paravortex/Black Spot Disease,
FAQs on Yellow Tang Disease by Category: Diagnosis, Environmental, Nutritional, Trauma, Pathogenic (infectious, parasitic), Social, Genetic, Treatments

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Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
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by Robert (Bob) Fenner

A problem with my Yellow Tang... System period... Env. dis. 4/7/08 Hello from Bronx, NY, <Howdy from S. Cal.> *Here is my background history*: I started a 55 gallon saltwater fish tank on February 5th, 2008 . By "started" I mean that I filled the tank and began cycling it. In it I have 100 lbs of sand and 33 lbs of live rock. I tested my water every 3 days through March 7th, 2008. My sister (who introduced me into the hobby and lives in Pennsylvania) read my levels to her LFS employee (He sets up, and cleans saltwater tanks for many companies through out Pennsylvania) and he said that my tank was ready for some fish. So when she arrived to my home on the 7th, she brought a Singapore angelfish, <Mmm, really needs a larger volume than this... and one that is much more established> and a chocolate chip starfish <... a poor choice... read on WWM re> as my birthday gift. I fell in love with my wet pets. The next day (Saturday), we went to Long Island to purchase more fish and live rock. At the time, I didn't know of the "2 fish at a time" rule and so I purchased 2 Ocellaris, 1 yellow tang, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 Banggai cardinal,1 ocellated dragonet (or scooter), and somewhere with the Live Rock a tiny hermit crab snuck in as well (all of them are juvenile like 1 to 2 inches big). On Sunday morning, my Nestle Tollhouse (chocolate chip) had died. <Typical> I felt horrible and felt like the worst fish parent on earth. <Mmm, no... again, just typical> I was told that they don't do well in newly set up tanks. <Ah! Correct> I should also confess now that I haven't invested in a quarantine tank (not because I don't want to, but because I can't afford it right now - but I'm saving up for it). <... Mmm, better this than more lost livestock...> Needless to say, I became really nervous about keeping my other fishes alive. I called my sister's LFS in PA with questions about my tank. I was advised not to change the water anytime soon so that my tank would have the opportunity to develop necessary bacteria. So I haven't done any water changes since my pets arrived. Every night I'll sit by my tank to observe my fishes. At first my Angelfish would hide in a cave. My Banggai cardinal would just stay at either end of the tank, while the other fishes would swim or scoot about the tank openly. *Recently* I've noticed that my Yellow tang's behavior has changed and so has the Angelfish. They both swim about openly, but once in a while it looks like they are swimming at darting speed towards the other fishes (this is especially true of the angelfish who has begun to pick on the clown fishes and the cleaner shrimp). The Yellow tang however does dart, and once in a while scratches himself against a rock. He has developed what seems like lightly red spots on one side of his body, and around his eyes and mouth there is a pattern that looks like stitches coming apart. <Good description... environmental...> I've attached a picture for you to see what I mean. He has a healthy appetite, I feed him the seaweed sheets, and he also eats what the others eat as well (Mysis shrimp, dried green marine algae, Omega One flakes, and Ocean Nutrition Frozen Foods (formula one, and formula two) and brine shrimp on occasion). He still swims openly, but has also become rather fond of staying by the Banggai cardinal's side (I mean really close together). <No worries here> He'll stay there for 2 to 3 minutes and then he'll swim away, pick at the live rock, go where the other fishes are, and then comes back to the cardinal. I checked my water levels yesterday and this was the reading: Salinity is 1.024 Alkalinity is Normal (based on Marine lab test kit) PH is 8.2 - 8.4 Ammonia is 0.25 Nitrite is 0.2 <The two above are toxic... see WWM re...> Nitrate is 20 So I made a 20% water change last night. I'll check the levels again tonight, but can you please look at my tang's picture and tell me what (if anything) I should be doing for him? Your help is greatly appreciated. C from the Bronx <Read on WWM re Ammonia, Nitrite... be careful re feeding till your system is cycled... Bob Fenner>
Re: A problem with my Yellow Tang 4/7/08 Thank you Bob for your feedback, WWM is really informative and I'm glad you and the crew offer to help us out. Just wanted to update you on what I've done. I made a 20 % water change that evening and didn't feed them until after I checked my levels the next day. Since the ammonia and nitrite levels were still off (0.25 ammonia and 0.2 nitrite), I called a LFS (because I hadn't received a response from WWM at the time) and explained the situation and they told me to purchase a product called BioSpira <Sound advice> and add it to the tank after making another 15 gallon water change. They also recommended I feed them twice a day every other day. <But very little... again, see WWM re these nitrogenous issues> As for the erosion on my Tang they recommended I buy a product called Fish Solution which I am to add the tank every few days. <Mmm, no... Not warranted. The real/root cause of your problem is environmental... Fixing this will fix the Tang... the "med" will cause more cycling establishment forestalling...> I'm at work right now, but when i get home I'll check the water levels and then feed. Again thanks for getting back to me. <Welcome my friend. BobF>
Re: A problem with my Yellow Tang 4/7/08 Hi Again, I searched WWM for the articles on Ammonia and Nitrites, but when I click on both links the page reads "to be placed." Will reading through the FAQ's give me the needed information? <Yes... and thank you for this reminder... there are a (large) number of "pieces" to be and already written that need to be placed... Including bits of books... and a HUGE number of "pending" articles that have to be left out till they run in the pulp press. Cheers! B>

Yellow Tang With Strange Spot -- 03/27/08 Thank you for this great service that you provide. <<We're pleased to be here>> I have used this site many times, but this is my first post, so I will do my best. <<Okay>> My problem is that my yellow tang has a strange spot on his back at the base of the dorsal fin a little smaller than a dime. He has had it for about 5 days and it appears it might be getting worse. <<Hmm'¦>> I included photos from five days ago and today as you seem to always request photos. <<Yes, I see them'¦thank you for this. The cliché certainly rings true here 'a photo is worth a thousand words. It's not always the case, nor does simply providing a photo mean we'll have an answer 'but in many cases we aren't able to provide an informed opinion based on description alone>> It started as a gray spot, and is not getting darker. He shows no signs of stress or weakness. He is very active and has a tremendous appetite. <<Good signs>> I have soaked all his food in Selcon since I noticed the spot. I have searched for many hours and can't find anything like it. I have to conclude that it is likely poor environment or nutrition but don't know what I should do. <<Maybe so, but I'm inclined to think this is a physical trauma...and secondary infection. Optimizing its environment/water quality/diet is about as best as you can do here>> I have a 35 gallon tank with skimmer and mechanical/carbon filter. <<John'¦ This tank needs to be At LEAST TWICE this size for the long-term good health of the Tang. If the fish is kept in this tank, I predict this problem now to be only the first of many 'until the fish's ultimate demise>> I have ample live rock and many small corals. <<And no room for this (any!) Tang in this tank>> His tank mates are a yellow watchman goby, 2 small clowns, and a red velvet wrasse. <<Over stocked, mate>> There is no hostility among them at all. The SG is 1.024, pH 8.3, calcium 400, Alk is "good" according to test kit, <<Mmm'¦get a better test kit that gives you real values (Salifert, Seachem, etc.)>> temp goes from 75 to 80 when the lights shut off. The NO2, NO3, ammonia are 0. I do weekly water changes of 5 gallons. I feed the tang Spirulina flakes daily. Once a week, but on different days he gets Mysis shrimp soaked in Selcon and macro algae on a clip also soaked in Selcon. <<You're starving your fish 'and they need a broader diet than this. Consider adding a premium flake food, as well as New Life Spectrum pellets to their diet. And do feed your fishes well 'every day'>> I now know the tank is too small for him in the long run. <<It's too small now, my friend. 'Growing up' in a too small environment will be/is already taking a toll>> I will find a more suitable home for him if I can nurse him back to health. <<You have it backwards, mate 'finding the fish a more suitable home WILL nurse it back to health>> For full disclosure, 6 days ago, my red velvet wrasse had a swollen/cloudy eye and puffiness under the eye. <<Telling'¦>> He was spooked out of the tank a week before and I assume he got the infection from being on the ground or me throwing him back in. I added Melafix to the water to treat the infection. <<Like the Tang 'the best cure is improved water quality and diet>> The treatment required that I turn off my skimmer and my carbon filtration. The next day his eye looked better so I discontinued use of the Melafix. I did a 5 gallon water change and turned my filters back on, opting for better water quality over the treatment. <<Indeed>> However, the wrasse's scales looked strange in that they had a whitish appearance at the back edges and protruded away from his body. I think the discoloration was the effect of light going through the scales. This is the same day I first noticed the spot on the tang. The following day the wrasse was back to normal and the tang looked the same. Now, a few days later the spot has darkened and grown slightly and the wrasse is back to normal. I have done 5 gallon water changes every other day and lowered the SG to 1.022. <<Why? Based on what? Best not to 'guess.' I would raise this back to NSW levels>> I don't believe it is a parasite, or related to the wrasse's condition, but I'm not sure. <<I think your first guess was more intuitive than I thought 'poor environment and poor nutrition>> I don't want to stress the tang with unnecessary QT if it is not required. Please help. <<If your water quality is optimum and you improve the fishes diet it may recover 'but ultimately, 'all' your fishes need a bigger home>> Thank you, John. <<Happy to share. EricR>>
Yellow tang with strange spot (before photo) - 03/27/08 This is the photo from 5 days ago. I didn't want to send them in the same email in case it was too big. Thank you, John. <<Ah okay, thank you...though I think it would have been fine. EricR>>

Yellow Tang Hemorrhaging... Poor English, no reading... no useful data -- 03/18/08 Hi there, Thanks for helping me out. I have a yellow tang that, for about a month now has been hemorrhaging. He/She is also constantly twitching and swimming erratically and instead of eating anything like before, is only eating fresh seaweed. I have given the poor little guy several fresh water dips but don't know what it is so don't know what medications to use, i tried triple sulfate, <...> with no success. Any advice would be much appreciated. The tank's chemistry is all perfect. <Meaningless> It's a 75 gallon, with 1 yellow tang, 1 blue tang, 1 filamented flasher wrasse, one blue mandarin, 2 common clowns. <... Nothing you've stated here is of much use... Most such troubles with Zebrasoma are water quality related, secondarily nutritional, tertiarily social... Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/ytangdisfaqs.htm and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Tang Internal Parasites... worse 3-11-08 Dear Mr. Fenner, <Mrs. Ridgeway actually.> Does this fish look pregnant to you or is this some sort of disease? It is the only yellow tang in the tank. <Definitely not pregnant, very loaded with internal parasites though. You need to get him into quarantine as soon as possible. He also looks mangled, did this occur while you have had him or did he arrive this way? Check out this link about parasites: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/parasiti.htm; I would treat him with Metronidazole for the internal parasites then possibly Melafix afterwards to help with the extensive fin damage. I hope he is able to pull through.> Regards,
<Good Luck. --Yunachin>
Ohlan

"Send in another victim of industrial disease"

Yellow Tang dis.... reading 3/9/08 Good Morning Crew, <Gilbert> I've been reading a lot at WWM and let me tell you guys what a wonderful job your doing; I have focus a lot more on Ich because seems like its one of the most difficult disease to work with!! Now I am worried because I noticed my yellow tang has little white spots on his body and fins, although the fins seem to have the same color as the fish. After reading for about three hours all over WWM, I have gotten a lot of great ideas, but I will also admit that after so much information now I seem a little confuse. How should I go about treating my tang? <Mmm, when you figure it's worth trying... If you have other fish present, and they are not similarly "spotted", this is highly unlikely Crypt... Much more likely flukes/Trematodes...> I know u <...> guys mentioned that a fresh water dip may not do it and you mention copper, can you please explain the procedure of using the copper <posted...> or what other solutions do I have, and if I do apply the copper I will be in my QT? And for how long? Gilbert Gomez <Keep reading... re Crypt, Quarantine, Flukes... Bob Fenner>

Yellow Tang - Skin erosion 1/26/08 WWM I have a few questions on my Yellow Tang, that I'd like your opinion on. I have had him for 4 weeks now, 3 weeks in my Q tank and 1 week in my Main tank. He is eating and adjusting well to the main tank, which has 5 false percula clowns, 1 coral banded shrimp and several crabs/snails. The tank is a 150 gal tank, with a MegaFlow Sump and a G3 Protein Skimmer (in sump). In terms of my water, I keep it pretty consistent with weekly water changes: Temp - 78, Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 20ppm, <Borderline high> Ph 8.4, Salinity 1.022-1.023. <I'd raise this. See WWM re> My question relates to a white/silvery discoloration or skin erosion that he has on both sides of his body, which is behind his eye, but above his gills. In the picture below, <No pix attached> it runs from a little above his eye, down along the gills to just above his mouth. Hard to see from the picture, except near his eye...but I've outlined it in red. My clowns are doing fine and do not exhibit this erosion. 1.. I would like to know if this is skin erosion or something else and what is the best treatment option? <Mmm, improved water quality and nutrition are the routes to go here> 2.. I just started adding Vita Chem to the water and food and wanted to know if adding an additive for damaged tissue like API Stress Coat or Kent Marine Pro-Tech Coat Marine would help? <The Vita Chem is fine by itself. Do read re reducing NO3 and raise the spg to seawater strength... These ought to "do it"> 3.. Also, is one additive better than the other (API versus Kent) or does it matter? <Amongst these two, there is little difference. Some of both manufacturers' lines (Aquarium Pharmaceutical and Kent) I am not a fan of, others are "real"> 4.. Finally, if this is skin erosion, is treatment in tank ok or is it best to return him back to the Q tank? <Good, well-worded/stated questions. I would NOT move this Zebrasoma. Bob Fenner, out where they're collected... in Hawai'i... diving> Thanks
Re: Yellow Tang - Skin erosion 1/26/08 WWM I forgot to mention that my Tang gets daily feedings of Spirulina flakes and either frozen Spirulina enriched brine shrimp or Omega One dry flakes with garlic. I am still trying to get him to go for the Green Marine Algae on a clip. Thanks again <Do look into New Life's "Spectrum" fish food line... Excellent, complete nutrition, high palatability. B>
Re: Yellow Tang - Skin erosion 1/29/08 Thanks for the input...sounds like I need to continue to focus on water quality & nutrition. Sorry about not having the picture...see attached. If your input is unchanged, no need to respond. forechall <Mmm, I do think more and more that this IS the twin sets of circumstances above at play... Very likely reversible... with the addition/use of "mud" in a filter, and a good brand of completely nutritious food (e.g. Spectrum). Bob Fenner>
Re: Yellow Tang - Skin erosion 1/31/08 Thx Bob...I read the article in the Mar'08 issue of Aquarium Fish on "Removing Bioballs reduces Nitrate Levels" (pg 10) and will remove the Bio Balls from my filter and replace with carbon/filter floss to address one of your points on water quality. Located a source for New Life Spectrum Foods and will get this in the diet. Not familiar with the term "mud" in the filter...can you elaborate? forechall <Ah, yes... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/muldfltscif.htm and the linked FAQs files above. B>

Yellow tang with severely damaged dorsal fin, Inappropriate Housing 1/17/08 Hello, <Hi> I am quite familiar with your website and have used it extensively in the past. I have also tried to find the answer to this question. Others have posted similar questions regarding their yellow tangs; however, the damage to my tang appears significantly worse. I am enclosing a photo. <Does not look too good for sure.> I have a 20 gal tank with live rock. <The ultimate root of all your problems, tangs simply can not be kept in such small tanks, they need by far larger quarters.> We have about 6 hermit crabs, a few snails and a starfish. We also have a blue regal tang who has been in the tank the longest. <Too many tangs in too small of a tank leads to stress which leads to a suppressed immune system which leads to an unhealthy fish, and also psychological/behavioral problems too boot.> We added the small yellow tang. After the small yellow tang was successfully acclimated, we added 2 percula clown fish. <Too much life for a 20G tank.> All are eating quite well. I feed them primarily frozen "brine shrimp plus," which is a variety pack. <Their main diet should be algae based, too much animal protein is not good for them.> I also give them Mysis shrimp, but they are not so fond of that. <Not surprising.> Every other day, I'll give them new life spectrum or bio blend tiny pellets in addition to the frozen food. <The New Life should be made their dietary staple.> Because the tangs are herbivores, I give them algae every day. <Good> I am extremely agitated that the yellow tang's dorsal fin is ragged and appears to be getting worse, not better, with each passing day. I do watch these fish, and I see no outward aggression. What is happening? <Not enough room for these fish, being cramped and in close proximity to another tang are causing all sorts of health problems. On the reef these fish measure their territory in yards, even when quite small, and need this space to be healthy. In captivity a Yellow tank should be in at least a 4 foot long tank, a Regal needs 6 feet of swimming space to be healthy.> I keep a pretty clean tank, although I have always had a problem with algae (who doesn't) and clean it once a month. <Water changes weekly or more often is most likely necessary to help get these fish healthy at least temporarily.> The water always tests almost perfect for all conditions. <Almost perfect? Numbers please.> I want all my fish to be happy. What am I doing wrong? <Poor stocking choices honestly, the tangs can not be happy in a 20G tank, it just goes against their instinctual behavior.> What can I do to help the little yellow tang? I'm frightened for it. Are the clown fish attacking it? <Good water quality, good foods, and a larger home would go far in helping it get healthy.> Sharon Donahue <Chris>
Re: Yellow tang with severely damaged dorsal fin, Inappropriate Housing 1/18/08 Thank you. <Welcome> Actually, we were planning on purchasing a new tank anyway. We will get a larger one. <Good but expensive.> The one that looked appealing was SeaClear, which is significantly longer than what we have now and a third larger in volume. <Hmm, you need a tank 100+ gallons to keep both of these tangs for their entire life, a small upgrade will not help significantly.> In the meantime, I'll clean the tank more frequently. My only reservation was when I did that after my one fish had Ich, some other fish died. Puzzled, I asked my marine biologist at our fish store, and he told me that too frequent water changes can be bad for the fish since it can deplete the water of the necessary bacteria. <Frequent small water changes, 20% to 30% are almost always beneficial, and the bacteria you are trying to culture is not in the water, but lives on the surfaces of the LR, glass, and substrate, water changes will not effect them.> I understand your answer regarding the feeding. I give the brine shrimp plus since I have the clown fish, too, to feed. <Brine shrimp really has very little nutritional value, mostly water.> Right now, I understand variety is best but it is hard to give the optimal nutrients when you have herbivores and carnivores. The New Life drops so quickly that the percula don't get a chance to eat much of it. <Could feed less but more often to combat this, but the prepared food will provide the nutrition that the fish need.> Thank you again for the speedy response. I'll do my best. <That's all we can do.> I feel terrible. <A learning experience.> I do have children, and I take care of my fish almost like I do my own kids. It is hard not to love both. <Empathy is a trait not seen often enough today.> S. Donahue, <Chris>
Re: Yellow tang with severely damaged dorsal fin 1/21/08 Well, now I've finally stopped a long crying fit. I'm absolutely beside myself even after my children have tried to console me. My little yellow guy with the long cute nose (my lovely tang), is NOT eating this morning. <Sorry to hear, not a good sign.> I did a meticulous cleaning yesterday, large water change, and the tank looked (and tested) beautiful. <You never want to be meticulous cleaning your tank, its easy to remove to much of the beneficial bacteria throwing your water quality off.> I turned the feeding regime upside down, per your suggestion, so that the main staple was the New Life Spectrum. Prior to the water change, the yellow guy ate these pretty well. But he (or she?) has simply gotten less and less happy. Plus, much to my dismay, the little guy has redness on one side. I'm suspecting an infection. <Could be, make sure to test your water again.> This morning, the little guy would NOT eat and lacks energy. I tried everything. The three other fish are getting very fat. The yellow guy won't even go for the algae. I take this very personally, and I think I'm killing it. <Unfortunately that is how most of us learn anything in this hobby.> So, in the best interests of my little guy, I think I should take it back to the store where it can go into a hospital tank and perhaps get better. <Could, may also be wise to invest in one yourself, does not and should not be a permanent tank, just set up for when you need it.> The current environment is clearly killing it. Would changing its environment be even worse? <Hard to say at this point, but sounds like leaving him is not really an option.> I would ask that the store keep my little guy knowing it is....for the best (cry, cry, cry!!!!!) Why is this so difficult for me - the tears don't stop. S. Donahue, SGT <Probably best to return him to the store if you can, may be able to recover there. Best of luck.> <Chris> Re: Yellow tang with severely damaged dorsal fin, Inappropriate Housing 1/21/08 Chris, <Hello> My last e-mail to you on this. I would have written yesterday, but I was far to broken up. I was in mourning all day long. Clearly, my little guy died. <Sorry> Intermittent bouts of sobbing only annoyed my husband, who did not understand when there were far larger issues going on in the world. Luckily, my son and girls understood and empathized. My eyes burn badly today and it is difficult to focus on the work I need to do (I'm in aerospace). <Interesting field.> My husband wants me to get rid of the tank since clearly any death is painful for me. But, as you indicated, it is a learning experience. <As is everything in life, learn and improve.> I am very organized, and meticulous. I'll do precisely what you said regarding the water. Every single week. Fortunately, the remaining fish are very plump from all the feeding I was doing trying to get my yellow guy healthy. Now I think I probably need to cut back on the amount and frequency of food and clean the tank in a few days to get rid of any debris. <Don't go overboard on the cleaning, water changes and cleaning the filters should be enough.> Incidentally, what is your position on a product called liquid gravel vac? <If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.> I have not relied exclusively on this, but have used it occasionally. <I would not bother, regular water changes and filtering should be enough.> Thank you again for your help. I only wish I had my little guy back. He was so very, very, very cute. <Quite lovely fish, I encourage you to go see them in the wild, spectacular.> Sharon <My fiancé© is quite the same way, takes every death very personally, and I too have said that maybe it was not the hobby for her, but she has stuck with it and become quite successful, and you can as well. I encourage you to read our marine articles and maybe pick up a up to date book if you have not, Bob's being quite fantastic to be honest and quite readable, or several others including some great works by Michael S. Paletta and John H. Tullock.> S. Donahue, SGT <Chris>
Re: Yellow tang with severely damaged dorsal fin 1/23/08 Chris, <Hello> I do see these beautiful fish in the wild every year! I go to Aruba. Well, I don't see the tiny tangs, but I do see quite a variety of beautiful fish in the reefs. Not Australia, but it is quite lovely. <Excellent, never been to Australia but the tangs in Hawaii are quite nice. Trying to plan a dive trip to Bonaire which is close to Aruba.> One year a parrot fish bit my calf. <Ouch> Thank you for all the support. I'm actually planning to do a water change today. <Very good> I'll read some more on the subject, although I've been focusing most of my reading time these past 5 years on Buddhism. <Interesting.> So, I can take a break and do more learning on this. I did for a short time to learn more about the hermit crabs about a year back. Thanks again. I still miss my little guy. Sharon. <Welcome and good luck.> <Chris> S. Donahue, SGT

Strange behavior in new yellow tang 1/20/08 hello, <... the beginnings of sentences are capitalized...> some info on our tank. Its a 100 gallon reef aquarium that has been set up for about a year in a half. It has 150 pounds of live rock and deep sand bed. other inhabitants: algae blenny, mandarin goby, six line wrasse, 5 blue green Chromis, clarkii clownfish, and a 1" fish that they called a red spotted blenny at the store but we later found out it wasn't (we still don't know what it is). our last fish is a 2" <Wow, tiny> bright yellow tang that we purchased 6 days ago. We didn't quarantine because we don't have a quarantine tank and it looked fine. <You're learning> Our water quality was fine when we put it in. <All reads as "fine"> It didn't really behave weirdly then, the clownfish was sort of sizing it up but they pretty much ignored each other. It picked at the rocks' algae occasionally, but when I fed it, it completely ignored everything. It swam around the tank and explored. The store told us they feed it algae on a clip and brine shrimp <... no> and that they had had it for 3 weeks and it was eating fine. I put Nori on an algae clip and it ignored that pretty much too, except occasionally took a bite out of it. Then about four days ago it started only hanging out at one of the side panels, repeatedly pacing really quickly back and forth. <Is likely reacting to its reflection... and you likely did not follow instructions and look for your answers first before writing> It now does this 100% of the time. Someone else wrote about this problem but they said their fish only did this 40% of the time. The recommendation to them was to put up dark paper because it was probably seeing its own reflection. <Oh! Yes, this is correct> I did this, however, and it made a slight difference (it doesn't swim so close to the glass) but it still paces quickly back and forth in the same corner. I'm worried about it because its pretty skinny and doesn't eat. <Such a small tang... is problematical... can/do get too thin quickly... in the process of capture (am out in Hawai'i where they're collected), not being fed for days after capture, during shipment, further processing> I think it might eat after lights out though, because I leave an algae clip in its corner and in the morning all the Nori is gone. <Ah, good... but still needs more nutrition than this. I suggest Spectrum pelleted food> Anything could have eaten it, I know, but I'm hoping it was the tang. I also tried putting some garlic juice on red Nori because I've read that that helps. <Still insufficient nutritionally> It did and it ate some of it, but only a couple bites. Also, there is plenty of green filamentous algae on the rocks. <Some of this may be of use...> The other fish aren't harassing it at all. Any ideas on how to make it swim the whole tank, and not just 5 gallons of it? Any ideas on how to make it eat? We don't have water param.s now, (were doing a water change today) but I don't think its water quality. Our water quality was good last week when we put it in and it still paced. Thanks. <Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/YellowTang.htm and the linked files above. I would block the other end/viewing panel with dark paper, and use the very palatable, nutritious food-line, Spectrum. Bob Fenner>

Re: tang quick cure 01/19/2008 Thx Andrew, so I did kill the fish:( <<Hi, Andrew again. We have all done something wrong, its a matter of learning from it that makes us all better aquarists>> Question #2: I'd really like to try again with this fish. IYO, is the Doctorfish a suitable fish for a relative beginner? <<Yes, its an easy to care for fish as long as you understand its diet and environment>> I have 2 other tanks ( a 30G and a high reward-high maintenance 5G saltwater) that have been up and running for 8-9 months, so I have the basics. The Doctorfish is going into a 55G, w/40lbs live rock, (1) False Clown, a Yellowtail Damsel, a 3-Stripe Damsel, Harlequin Serpent Star and misc tank cleaners, with the idea of replacing ALL of the tanks with a single 90G in the next year or so. <<Given the size that the fish can grow too, I would not buy this fish unless you have a 125gallon aquarium ready for it when its finished its quarantine process. These can grow up to around 10 - 12 inches in captivity and require a "lot" of swimming room>> Thx for your thoughts and truly invaluable resources of wetwebmedia.com. <<Thank you again for your follow up and questions, A Nixon>>

SW/Unknown creature and hurt Tang 01/14/2008 Hi again Crew! <<Hello, Andrew here>> We have attached two photos and hope for your assistance. The first is an unknown animal (?) on one of our live rocks. Actually, there seem to be four or five of these, in varying sizes, on the rock. Can you ID and tell us what to do if it (they) are bad? Right now all are on just one rock, which is easily removed. <<First picture is an Aiptasia, read here for more info and removal techniques http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm >> The second is one of our Yellow Tangs. Yesterday we noticed a sore? cut? bruise? near a gill. Could this be from a scrape? There are no territorial issues in our tank .... it's peaceful. His behavior is normal and he's eating just fine. No other fish show any signs of any distress. <<Looks like its caught itself on a rock, may of been spooked. Keep water parameters very well tended to and it should heal fine>> Thanks again to all you miracle workers! Michael and Dianne <<Thanks for the questions, A Nixon>>

Yellow tang bowel movements 12/07/2007 Hey crew, I have a question about my yellow tang. I have noticed lately that he's almost always dragging his feces around under him. He periodically lets it go but then its usually not long before he takes another poop and drags it behind him for a few hours. His diet consists of Gracilaria parvispora, Chaetomorpha, formula two pellets, flakes, and some meat when he steals some from his tank mates. His favorite food is Chaetomorpha and its easy and cheap to supply so he's been eating a lot of Chaeto lately. If there is Chaeto and Gracilaria in the tank at the same time he will eat all of the Chaeto before touching the Gracilaria. His feces looks similar to Chaeto (stringy clumps) so I stopped feeding Chaeto a few days ago. He also has a not so severe case of HLLE, which is why I got the Gracilaria in the first place. I've had him for 2 months and his HLLE hasn't improved or gotten worse, and for the last few weeks he's been having this problem with his bowel movements. <Mmm, likely needs vitamin supplementation. Please see WWM re HLLE> Do you have any suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong? <Don't think there is actually anything wrong here> He acts perfectly normal and healthy but his bowel movements are rather unattractive and I'm not sure if I should be concerned about this. Thanks in advance for your help. Tony <Zebrasoma do defecate a great deal, depending on the availability of foods... and the algae here are "sticking together" is about it... I would not be concerned, but would address the neuromast destruction... best by improving water quality... Again, see WWM re. Bob Fenner>

Yellow Tang/Health -11/14/07 Hi Crew, <Hello Barbara> I purchased a Yellow Tang about 2 weeks ago. The LFS had him for about a month when I took him home. I did a freshwater dip, but skipped quarantine as he is about 5 inches and my quarantine tank is only 10 gallons. <I'm not a fan of freshwater dips if it is not necessary. Causes more stress to an already stressed out fish.> I have one question. On his stomach area, low, between his eyes and fins looks slightly pinched in in 2 areas on both sides (like someone used 2 fingers on wet clay). Behind his eye is filled in well. He eats very, very well. He is always picking at my live rock, and I feed a wide variety of foods twice a day (Formulas 1 & 2, Angel formula, Marine Cuisine, Emerald Entree, Clam, Crab, Squid, Scallops, Mysis, Algae formula, etc.) and I put 2 clips of algae sheets in the tank each afternoon. Tank is 72 gallons with 80lbs of live rock and ~100lbs live sand. Ammonia & Nitrites are at 0, Nitrates are up at 30 (my source water's nitrates spiked, I now have a tap water filter I am using and it is reducing the nitrates in my tank well), SG is 1.026, temp is 79 degrees. <Good, tangs do require excellent water quality. The Moray stowaway isn't helping much with your nitrates, they do produce a good deal of waste. Are you using a protein skimmer?> Tankmates are: Coral Beauty, Algae Blenny, Falco Hawkfish, Strawberry Pseudochromis, Yellowtail Damsel, and a Barred Moray (was a stowaway in my live rock!). <The Moray doesn't fit in with the rest of your crew along with pushing stocking levels over the limit. Have you considered exchanging for store credit at your LFS?> Other than the strange area on his stomach he looks great! Good color, active, always swimming around the tank and all fish get along well. I knew (from your wonderful website!) that thinness is indicated behind the eyes, but I wasn't sure what to make of a pinched in area low on the ventral side. <Barbara, your tang is suffering from environmental/dietary conditions. Your diet is good now, but at the LFS it was more than likely poor to marginal. Continue with a good diet and twice a month water changes, 10% should be fine. In time I believe your tang should improve in health and fill out those caved in areas. Do read here and linked files above on this fish. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/YellowTang.htm> Thank you! <You're welcome and good luck with your tang. James (Salty Dog)> Barbara
Re: Yellow Tang/Health 11/16/07 Hi James, <Hi Barb> Thank you for your very speedy reply. <You're welcome.> I have a Rapids Pro series wet/dry filter and a protein skimmer, both do a very nice job, in addition to the filter output I have 2 powerheads running, so in addition to brisk filtration I have quite a bit of water movement. In regards to my eel stowaway, I wasn't intending to keep him/her, but I have become very attached (as you can imagine)! I realize they put out quite a lot of waste so I do 10 gallon water changes every week. I suspect you are right about getting less the optimal foods at LFS, They said they fed him brine shrimp, flake, and algae sheets; hardly the diverse diet he needs. One thing I'm not doing that the Tang FAQ's recommend is soaking the algae sheets in Selcon, I will start doing that as well. I don't recall seeing the indented area on his stomach at the LFS, but either way I'll keep reducing the nitrates and offering a wide variety of good foods, hopefully that will do it! Thank you again for all your help! <You're welcome and keep us posted on your tang. James (Salty Dog)> Barbara
Re: Yellow Tang/Health 12/10/07 Hi Crew, <Hi Barbara> James helped me with a question about 3 weeks ago regarding my Yellow Tang (e-mail is included below) who was eating very well but was still thin. I wanted to update you and thank you for your help/reassurance! Hopefully my experience can give someone else ideas on bulking up a thin tang! I was feeding a varied diet 2x a day and offering 2 algae clips in the evening, rotating between Green, Purple, Red and Brown seaweeds (I assume each has different species of algae offering different nutrients). I increased that to 2 clips twice a day, once in the am and once in the pm (in the pm I soaked the algae in Selcon). I also added a small noontime feeding on days off and on weekends. I'm very pleased to report that he has filled out very nicely and looks great! In addition, due to a leak in my filter/protein skimmer combo unit, I upgraded to a Fluval 405 canister filter plus a Coralife skimmer graded for a 125 gallon tank. I'm sure those two have improved water quality so that helped as well! Thank you again for your continued guidance and support for hobbyists! <Very nice to hear, Barbara and happy to hear your tang is doing great. Thank you for sharing this with us, much appreciated. James (Salty Dog)> Barbara

Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
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by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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