Baby blue tang sucked into wavemaker

[LoganGG]

Just got a baby blue tang, around an inch long, and when i woke up this morning, it was stuck under the wave maker. I didn’t think it was set that high, but I lowered the flow, and placed the tang in a small container suctioned to the wall. It’s been laying on its side and breathing rapidly since. Is there any chance it’ll make it? I feel awful for letting it get sucked up and I don’t know how long it was there. Any help is appreciated.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just got a baby blue tang, around an inch long, and when i woke up this morning, it was stuck under the wave maker. I didn’t think it was set that high, but I lowered the flow, and placed the tang in a small container suctioned to the wall. It’s been laying on its side and breathing rapidly since. Is there any chance it’ll make it? I feel awful for letting it get sucked up and I don’t know how long it was there. Any help is appreciated.

So sad to hear and I say that as in most cases, they become moribund in which they weaken and will not eat or swim correctly and soon Perish
Hopefully this wont be the result and there isnt much you can do to treat other than what you did- isolate it and allow it to heal if it will

 

[RedReefer]

95% chance of death, just fyi. I've never had a fish make it after a powerhead incident.

 

[CoralB]

Yah sorry to hear this but even though chances aren’t with it making it , still give it the opportunity.

 

[LoganGG]

Yah sorry to hear this but even though chances aren’t with it making it , still give it the opportunity.

I’m going to keep it isolated and try and feed mysis, nori, or chaeto.

 

[MnFish1]

It's funny - sometimes fish make it - despite what we think - keep doing what you're doing. IMHO - baby tangs - are extremely tricky - even without a filter incident

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Sorry to hear. In almost every case, fish that get stuck to an overflow or a powerhead screen had some issue that caused them to get stuck, and not getting stuck as the start of the issue.
Tiny hepatus tangs are really tough to keep - if they miss even a few meals during the supply chain, they become weak. Various diseases can cause this as well.
Jay

 

[LoganGG]

Sorry to hear. In almost every case, fish that get stuck to an overflow or a powerhead screen had some issue that caused them to get stuck, and not getting stuck as the start of the issue.
Tiny hepatus tangs are really tough to keep - if they miss even a few meals during the supply chain, they become weak. Various diseases can cause this as well.
Jay

Is it possible that the flow was just too strong for a tang that small?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is it possible that the flow was just too strong for a tang that small?

Flow too aggressive or fish was that weak to resist intake

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Is it possible that the flow was just too strong for a tang that small?

Could be, but unlikely unless the fish was weakened from disease or lack of flow. Remember, reef fish are naturally able to handle strong currents out on the reef.
Jay

 

[AydenLincoln]

I’m very sorry to hear this…for the future I recommend an anemone guard!

 

[exnisstech]

Sorry to hear this. The way those little guys like to hide it may have been trying to do just that behind the power head and got to close. It might have looked like a good spot in unfamiliar surroundings. I've had a couple of those little guys the size of a quarter. First didn't make it the second is around 4-5 inches now.