Purple Tang

[spectra]

Have a chance to get some livestock wich includes a purple tang. My question is the color on it is real light but other than that seems fine. Right now the fish are in a crappy tank with no real good lighting. Was wondering once under some good lights and filtration will the color come back?

Thanks!

[LadyReefNeck]

I would hazard to guess that with some good food and better water and light conditions he should thrive, but I'm sure some others with more experience will chime in soon with some good advice.

[betamed]

Mine gets pale at night. Good water and lots of greens should be a big help. They do look different under different lighting, but a pale tang is usually one that is not healthy. Glad to see he is getting a better home they are my favorite fish. They also are one of the more aggressive tangs.

[spectra]

I think now it does not get any greens and just picks at the rocks. The tank is horrid there is a pos HOB filter and as for lights most of us have better in our house. I do not see how this thing has lived for so long. There is also a 4 inch Maroon with it and a few damsels. I just want the tang and the 50 lbs of LR that go with everything. So will be taking the other fish to the LFS. Hopefully it will all work out.

Thanks again for the replys!

[Loverotties]

Could be stressed.

[kalel1976]

Think of it as a mood ring. Fish change the intensity of their colors when they are stressed, happy, horny, etc.
Based on your tank description I am guessing it is stressed and will continue to show the pale color until you provide it with a suitable habitat. Keep it well fed with a mixed diet. Zebrasoma's are not as reliant on green stuff compared to Acanthurus Tangs but you should still feed it a good variety of foods or it will start to get HLLE.

[medicdiver]

I would think about placing it in a QT tank before adding it to yours. If e is stressed already, He could bring parasites, bacteria, fungus, and other unwanted things into your tank. Tangs that are stressed lose their immune system fast, so you might want to treat him before introduction. IMO

[salt-rookie]

Give him LOTS of vegtable matter! Tangs are voracious herbivores. Lack of quality vegtables will cause lateral line erosion. You cannot got wrong with Seaweed Selects Green!

[JY13131]

My sweet sailfin turns into a bulldozer when the greens go in!!