Gem tang not eating

[Volcomstned]

I don't know much about fish meds but I do believe it would be difficult to recommend something when we "think" we're dealing with vision issues. In my opinion as long as mine's appetite for nori stays strong, so will the fish. I have noticed swimming improvement over time so hopefully she's getting better.
I did keep a mirror up to my tank for probably a week to allow the new gem to adjust without getting bullied, and it worked like a charm. Now my gem is the biggest fish in the tank and flares her fins with no problems at her tank mates that were previously bullies.

Thanks!! I’ve only had them for a week and I have noticed improvement over that week. So I’m just going to keep it in it’s 90 gallon quarantine tank by itself and wait it out.

 

[smalltimereefin]

Humblefish posted in the following thread about a virulent virus was infecting fish from the Madagascar area.

Gem Tang Breathing Fast, Otherwise Not Moving

Seemed just fine earlier today. Has been in quarantine without medication for over a month. copper?

www.reef2reef.com

Wow what a read. Hoping that isn't what is going on here. Haven't noticed any spots or anything on mine.


Sounds good volcom, it'll be interesting to see how all of our funny gems do in the long run, especially after reading that thread Big G shared.

 

[Volcomstned]

I just read it as well.. Zero visible spots on my Gem Tang.. this is the first time I’ve had a fish act like this so it’s totally new to me. From what you and Bahama have experienced, sounds like it’s progressively been getting better.

 

[bahamasmls]

No joke it took about 4 weeks to finally get him eating. Anyday i can tell he will start eating mysis, but not yet.

 

[Volcomstned]

No joke it took about 4 weeks to finally get him eating. Anyday i can tell he will start eating mysis, but not yet.

I don’t even know if mine can see. It finds the nori sheet on the clip, but has zero reaction when I put mysis in and doesn’t react to me outside of the tank at all.

 

[smalltimereefin]

Yeah mine still tears up the nori but I can pretty much guarantee vision issues at this point. He's got to be able to see because he defends his territory and even guards the nori clip against others. Maybe things are blurry for him. When I feed frozen, he legit bites for the food but completely misses every time. Got a new mag clip for him that will hold clams or other meat in one place and hopefully he goes for it.

A worrying sign - I noticed 3 white/opaque flake looking things on one side of his body the other day that showed up quickly. They seemed to have fallen off the same day that they appeared, but left little ringworm looking circles where the flakes were. Hoping it's nothing viral like mentioned earlier.
What I hope it was - I cleaned my lids and moved lights which spooked the fish and made them all momentarily aggressive to hide in their cave. So, hoping they were just scuff or battle marks from the spook incident cause thats when they appeared. He's still eating his nori like a fatty, and at least him going for frozen is a positive sign. Will keep you guys posted. Glad we all still have live gems!

 

[rowdyreefing]

I am currently QT a Gem tang! How did you guys work out?

I threw some GHA from my DT sump into my QT tank. He seemed to peck at it a bit!

 

[bahamasmls]

I am currently QT a Gem tang! How did you guys work out?

I threw some GHA from my DT sump into my QT tank. He seemed to peck at it a bit!

HE got pretty comfortable eating seaweed off a rock i would drop in the tank for him. He would never eat off the clip like the other tangs. I lost him about 3 months ago due to velvet breakout! I misss him

 

[rowdyreefing]

HE got pretty comfortable eating seaweed off a rock i would drop in the tank for him. He would never eat off the clip like the other tangs. I lost him about 3 months ago due to velvet breakout! I misss him

sorry to hear this

 

[Debramb]

I’m sorry too, funny how they break your heart more than the pocketbook!

 

[mattyhubble97]

Hey there! Any recent updates on how they did? I got mine on Thursday, today being Tuesday, and last night was the first time I saw it take 3 bites of food. otherwise it hangs in one of two corners towards the bottom. Hoping you all will have good news on how it turned out! Mine was also about 4 inches. Looks nice and thick but you can see where its skinnier in the tummy from not eating.