Harlequin Tusk Hiding Help

[Steve Blum]

I Transferred my 6" Harlequin Tusk from my QT tank where he was only resident and stayed 60 Days. He is now hiding in a comfortable space between some rocks forms a cave. He is aware of everything that goes on in the tank as his eyes are constantly moving.

Do you think I should chase him out of his hiding places and make him swim?

 

[BigJim]

I would just give him time to get comfortable in your tank. Did he eat well in the QT? Does he come out to eat in the DT? How long has he been in the DT? How big is the DT and what's other fish do you have? My harlequin tusk still hides in a cave much of the day but he comes out at feeding time and other random times throughout the day. I have heard other tusk owners say the same thing so it might be fairly common.

 

[Steve Blum]

I would just give him time to get comfortable in your tank. Did he eat well in the QT? Does he come out to eat in the DT? How long has he been in the DT? How big is the DT and what's other fish do you have? My harlequin tusk still hides in a cave much of the day but he comes out at feeding time and other random times throughout the day. I have heard other tusk owners say the same thing so it might be fairly common.

Dear BigJim the tank is 120 G He has not ate in DT I have had him in DT today is second day He ate well in QT Mostly Angels not bothering HT

 

[BigJim]

I definitely would not worry yet if he did well in QT. Does he still have the black spots on his dorsal fin? The spots indicate it is still still a juvenile. I have had mine for 2 1/2 years and he still has those spots. I have heard they become more bold once those spots are gone.

 

[Steve Blum]

I definitely would not worry yet if he did well in QT. Does he still have the black spots on his dorsal fin? The spots indicate it is still still a juvenile. I have had mine for 2 1/2 years and he still has those spots. I have heard they become more bold once those spots are gone.

I think he has a spot not sure he is 6"

 

[BigJim]

I think he has a spot not sure he is 6"

Mine I still 5 or 6 inches as well. I'm sure he will become more comfortable. Maybe use a turkey blaster to squirt some food by his cave to entice him a turkey feeding time.

 

[Steve Blum]

Mine I still 5 or 6 inches as well. I'm sure he will become more comfortable. Maybe use a turkey blaster to squirt some food by his cave to entice him a turkey feeding time.

I will try That Tomorrow

 

[4FordFamily]

A 125 isn’t very big for a 6 inch tusk, they grow relatively slowly, however. That was a side note.

Were the fish in your DT all quarantined? Any large wrasse in the tank?

 

[Steve Blum]

A 125 isn’t very big for a 6 inch tusk, they grow relatively slowly, however. That was a side note.

Were the fish in your DT all quarantined? Any large wrasse in the tank?

I always QT fish for 60 days before they go to my DT. I have a 5" pudingwife wrasse but he is extremely docile

 

[4FordFamily]

I always QT fish for 60 days before they go to my DT. I have a 5" pudingwife wrasse but he is extremely docile

When you say QT — is this just observation or prophylactic treatment? Wrasse mask parasites very very well, and often, unfortunately.

 

[Steve Blum]

When you say QT — is this just observation or prophylactic treatment? Wrasse mask parasites very very well, and often, unfortunately.

I observe for disease. If you can't see it how do you know what to trat for. Just shotgun treating is bad for the fish.

 

[4FordFamily]

I observe for disease. If you can't see it how do you know what to trat for. Just shotgun treating is bad for the fish.

Yup it’s a safe assumption that fish these days are going to come in with ich or velvet, unfortunately. Tangs are great “ichometers”