when should i start to worry (new fish)

traip93 · 01-15-2006, 08:52 PM

I got a 2.5" powder blue tang last wednesday. I kept it at the LFS for about a week to monitor it and make sure it was good to go. It was eating at the store, with great color.

Since it's been in my tank, it only grazes on the rock. it will taste frozen food dipped in Zoe or garlic, but than quickly spits it out. It doesn't touch nori either.

The fish has good color and hasn't lost it's belly, yet.....when should i start to worry?

The only only other fish I have is a midas blenny who is getting way to much to eat lately!!!

I have 3 cleaner shrimp too.

superwizbang · 01-15-2006, 09:03 PM

I wouldn't be too concerend at the moment. Tangs are very stressed critters when you initially take them home. Powder blues are well known to be quite easy to stress out and many say, henceforth, easily prone to ich because of it.

Eventually, it will begin to trust you and it's surroundings more and *hopefully* quit grazing and start eating. Keep soaking the nori in garlic and vitamins and hopefully it will come around soon. You might also try turning the flow off and calming the tank down when you prepare to feed. Leave the room and let the room settle down a little so that the fish feels more "at ease" when feeding time comes. None of that is scientific, but something that I noted helped each of my new fish when I was getting them to start eating when I brought them home. Can't hurt.

Make sure you feed about the same time each day so they begin to recognize your pattern. Remember, they are living beings and used to following their own routine. They now have to get used to following yours. Most fish do, some never will. Powder blues are known to be one of the more difficult fish to acclimate and quite aggresive when they do.

Good luck!

-Ken

tdwyatt · 01-16-2006, 12:24 AM

What Ken said is great advice. How large is the tank? How many other fish?

Any other tangs in the tank?

traip93 · 01-16-2006, 06:49 AM

Quote:

The only only other fish I have is a midas blenny who is getting way to much to eat lately!!!

I have 3 cleaner shrimp too.__________________
Chad
125AGA, BareBottom, 30gsump, MRC-2, (MRC)CR-1, REEFKEEPER controller, LittleGiant return, 540w of T5s on IC660s&WH7s

traip93 · 01-16-2006, 03:03 PM

i stopped by the LFS at lunch and got some live brine...we'll see when I get home.....

traip93 · 01-17-2006, 08:02 AM

well, I am officially worried now. The fish refused food again last night. It keeps tasting the food but spitting it out. If was eating at the LFS for a few days too....errr.....

I may try dried cyclopeez (sp)....that's about all i have left to try...

ChrisPrusha · 01-17-2006, 08:07 AM

How is it looking?

And have you heard of Seaweed Selects? It is somwhat like nori, and not too expensive...might be worth a shot.

traip93 · 01-17-2006, 08:31 AM

've tried nori on the glass and last night I wedge some in the rocks he grazes on.....no luck, tasted it once and spit it back out...

Bahh....still has OK color and the belly insn't pinched...maybe it's getting enough off the rocks right now. I've never delt with a fish like this before...they either eat after a day or two or are dead in a few days....this one is going strong after a week....knock on wood

ChrisPrusha · 01-17-2006, 08:37 AM

I would continue to try what was working at the LFS.

Good luck, and please keep us posted!

traip93 · 01-17-2006, 11:45 AM

If I only had a can of whatever the guy in your avatar is looking at...I bet the fish would eat that!

superwizbang · 01-17-2006, 02:04 PM

yes, and to note, there are three types of seaweed/nori out there on the market, best way to describe them are red, green and brown. I have heard, but cannot confirm as fact, that some fish will have a taste for one, but not the others. Could be hogwash though. I have never taken the time to check into the species used to make these products. Who knows, maybe they are all the same with a little food coloring in them to make them look different to the consumer.

Sooner or later, he will become hungry enough to try it. Simply roll the nori up in cigarette fashion and put it in the tank. I would put a new roll in there before your lights go out and leave it until morning...(throw away and repeat). To me, you sound more stressed about it than he is. Ha!

-Ken

traip93 · 01-17-2006, 03:49 PM

you are probably right.....maybe tonight is the night he EATS!!!!

markak15 · 01-17-2006, 04:13 PM

my kole tang didn't eat well for about the first week. now he is a hog. just give it time....