Getting Powder Blue Tang to eat

[aquaticlog]

So, I should know better, but even after having been doing reefing for almost 10 years I picked up an unbelievable looking Powder Blue (Sri Lanka) from the local fish store. He looked vibrant, fat and healthy and I forgot to ask to feed it at the store.

Once I brought it home I added it to the main tank in an acclimation box, but even 24 hours later he refuses to eat. Having solicited a few opinions I decided to move the tank in a newly built quarantine tank (I've established live rock and media from the main tank to instantly cycle it). So far - still zero interest to food. Here's a video of the setup.


Would appreciate any advice on how to navigate these waters, I have always found powder blues extremely difficult for me.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I would just try all kinds of food. Some people like to use garlic, I've never noticed any difference using it though. Have you offered white worms or black worms? I like to go fishing and who woulda guessed it, fish like worms!

 

[Halal Hotdog]

I have had a few powder blue tangs, from the wild. I eventually got all of them to eat, but it took quite a bit of effort. So getting them calm is very important. Stressed out powder blues will not eat. Being in an undisturbed room helps (that’s where my QT tank is). The foods that have worked for me include green hair algae, chaeto, black worms, and mysis. Have never been successful with nori in the beginning. Once in DT most of them grazed on rocks for a few weeks, then started eating prepared foods.

Good luck, wish you the best. Once they start eating and settle in then they become little tanks.

 

[aquaticlog]

I would just try all kinds of food. Some people like to use garlic, I've never noticed any difference using it though. Have you offered white worms or black worms? I like to go fishing and who woulda guessed it, fish like worms!

Thanks, I'm curious as to where to get white or black worms, never had any experience with them nor have seen them in Toronto, Canada.

 

[najer]

As above, I would add macro elastic banded to a small rock, caulerpa if you can get it and especially brachypus if you can.

 

[aquaticlog]

I have had a few powder blue tangs, from the wild. I eventually got all of them to eat, but it took quite a bit of effort. So getting them calm is very important. Stressed out powder blues will not eat. Being in an undisturbed room helps (that’s where my QT tank is). The foods that have worked for me include green hair algae, chaeto, black worms, and mysis. Have never been successful with nori in the beginning. Once in DT most of them grazed on rocks for a few weeks, then started eating prepared foods.

Good luck, wish you the best. Once they start eating and settle in then they become little tanks.

Really appreciate your feedback. I'll try to see where I can get black worms in Toronto. Will keep this thread posted on the progress.

 

[aquaticlog]

Quick update. 3 days and he is still not eating, but I'm making a few changes.
1. I've added a yellow tail damsel to the quarantine hoping that a small dither fish will help put PBT at ease
2. I'm trying a large variety of different foods
3. Using Seachem Entice
4. Adding different algae to a frag plug so that there's no clip for him to feed off

 

[aquaticlog]

Well, here's the update on my Powder Blue Tang saga...