Blue Tang question...

[Deuce]

So today I got myself a blue tang. Brought it home, acclimated it, and let it into my main tank. It was shy at first, but then came out and swam around alot. I came home from dinner, and it was lying in the sand, on its side. Of course, I freaked out, thought that he didn't make it. I put my net in there, gave him a little bump, and up he came, and now he's swimming around like normal, all happy. Is there any cause for concern there, or do tangs do that?

Thanks!!

Jason

[gwen_o_lyn]

Jay, didn't u just plumb that tank the other day??
What is your water testing at?
I've never seen my regal lay on the sand.

[Deuce]

Its been up and running for about 2 months Gwen

Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia are all at 0, pH is 8.3, salinity is 1.021, temp is 79.1

[coralfreak]

That's a very common behavior in that particular tang, it's called "play dead". She will be ok dont worry.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by coralfreak

That's a very common behavior in that particular tang, it's called "play dead". She will be ok dont worry.

Thank you!! That gives me piece of mind! Would have been devastated if she wasn't alive!

[coralfreak]

Here's a quote from saltwaterfish.com for your tranquility:

"This fish will often lie on its side and "play dead" and that is the only reason it is not guaranteed, because the novice can become confused as to its actual health."

[JT]

Yup, very common behaviour for Blue Hepatus Tangs. Blue Tangs are born in HUGE acropora colonies for shelter and often hide and lay down in rock when shy.

If you ever get to dive where there is a plethora of Juvi. Blue Tang, it's a wonderous sight to see. Unfortunately, this awesome sight is quickly vanishing as cyanide fishing continues to plague Indonesia. Fisherman squirt cyanide all over these large coral colonies so the juvi. blue tang fall out. This only stuns the fish, in the short term, but kills the coral instantly, along with the section of reef in immediate vicinity to the coral. New Blue Tang spawn has no place to lay as the reef is slow to recover. Indonesia was once a sea of Blue Tang for cheap prices, now there are in short supply and expensive from net caught areas of Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Australia.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by coralfreak

Here's a quote from saltwaterfish.com for your tranquility:

"This fish will often lie on its side and "play dead" and that is the only reason it is not guaranteed, because the novice can become confused as to its actual health."

THANK YOU!!

[whatevva]

Unfortunately, this awesome sight is quickly vanishing as cyanide fishing continues to plague Indonesia. Fisherman squirt cyanide all over these large coral colonies so the juvi. blue tang fall out. This only stuns the fish, in the short term, but kills the coral instantly, along with the section of reef in immediate vicinity to the coral. New Blue Tang spawn has no place to lay as the reef is slow to recover.

THIS SUX!!!