New Powder Brown Tang

Snoop_90 · May 12, 2019

I just recently purchased a PBT 3 days ago. Initially it was swimming on the bottom of the tank seemed like its reflection bothered it but now it mostly stays inside the PVC pipe, comes out every now and then but mostly says inside. I have the sides taped up with dark construction paper.
I'm mainly concerned since it hasn't eaten anything. I put a new piece of seaweed daily, tried pellets and mysis shrimp. I know new fish tend to be stressed out, But I'm just a worried since this is my 3rd PBT. First one died from ich. Second one I have no idea what happened. It was in QT, few hours later found him on the bottom of the tank dead. Water parameters were all normal. So I'm bit worried about this one, one of my favorite fish so I'm really hoping it pulls through. I've had tangs, fox face in QT's before. If they didn't eat pellets they ate the seaweed within the first day.

Anything else I can do? or just wait?

Have him set up in a 10 galQT with a HOB filter, Sponge filter, heater, Ammonia checker, PVC pipe, veggi clip.
Salinity- 1.025
Temp- 78
Nitrate- 0
Ammonia- 0
Phosphate-0

Halal Hotdog · May 12, 2019

PBT are beautiful but can be challenging in the beginning. Is there any medicine in your QT tank? How big is he? I would try mysis shrimp and black worms. This helped my naso start eating when he refused everything. On a side note, I would never add a tang into a DT without medicated QT. Tangs have a thinner slime coat which makes it easier for parasites to attach. Combine that with the fact wholesalers have tanks infested with parasites and you are asking for trouble.

WMR · May 12, 2019

Have you tried the other seaweeds besides green( brown or red), how about some veggie flakes, mix it up. Some Acanthurus tangs can be difficult to start, keep mixing up the veggie foods, also a little meat in the diet

LAReefer4Life · May 12, 2019

Is there any strange behavior you have seen besides him hiding out? It is normal for a fish not to eat for the first few days, sometimes upwards of a week while it gets acclimated. PBT seem to get stressed easily which obviously causes them not to eat right away. What other inhabitants do you have?

Scotty Buttons · May 12, 2019

If you can source it locally you could try some masstick.

Snoop_90 · May 12, 2019

No medicine in the QT yet. I usually try to keep the fish without medication for the first few days, and then I use copper.
He's about 4 inches. Yes I have learned the hard way about never adding fish directly in DT. my last 3 fish have all been in QT for atleast 4-6 weeks with copper treatment.

I've only used the green seaweed- San francisco Bay Brand is what I use. Haven't tried flakes yet. I was trying avoid putting too much random food at once.

This is the only inhabitant in QT. The only "strange" behavior was when he was swimming on the bottom on the glasses as if he's staring at his reflection and spazzing out by it. But that was only when I had the lights on. First day I kept him in the dark to reduce stress. turned the lights on the next day. And a few times I did notice it was swimming in a circle as if it was chasing its tail but that only happened twice. As of today he's been in the PVC pipe. I can see him creeping out as if he's looking at me and then just goes back in.

I'll try feeding it the other suggestions

LAReefer4Life · May 12, 2019

Snoop_90 said:
No medicine in the QT yet. I usually try to keep the fish without medication for the first few days, and then I use copper.
He's about 4 inches. Yes I have learned the hard way about never adding fish directly in DT. my last 3 fish have all been in QT for atleast 4-6 weeks with copper treatment.

I've only used the green seaweed- San francisco Bay Brand is what I use. Haven't tried flakes yet. I was trying avoid putting too much random food at once.

This is the only inhabitant in QT. The only "strange" behavior was when he was swimming on the bottom on the glasses as if he's staring at his reflection and spazzing out by it. But that was only when I had the lights on. First day I kept him in the dark to reduce stress. turned the lights on the next day. And a few times I did notice it was swimming in a circle as if it was chasing its tail but that only happened twice. As of today he's been in the PVC pipe. I can see him creeping out as if he's looking at me and then just goes back in.

I'll try feeding it the other suggestions

I suggest leaving the lights off for a few more days to help reduce stress. The less stressed he is the quicker he'll eat and just keep a close eye out to ensure he doesn't show any signs of disease. I know its stressful especially since you probably have PTSD after your past experiences.

Good luck!

Snoop_90 · May 12, 2019

Thank you! Alright I will keep the lights out for a bit longer. I just creeped up to check on him. the tank lights were off so I used my phone light. he came out of the pipe, swam around a bit. passed the seaweed and then just chilled in the corner.
Thanks! hoping this one can last its QT period else my dad isn't going to be happy ;Nailbiting

Snoop_90 · May 14, 2019

pathot984 said:
I suggest leaving the lights off for a few more days to help reduce stress. The less stressed he is the quicker he'll eat and just keep a close eye out to ensure he doesn't show any signs of disease. I know its stressful especially since you probably have PTSD after your past experiences.

Good luck!

Should I start using Copper now? or wait till after he starts eating? In the past I've usually waited 3-5 days but never had an issue with picky eaters

infinite0180 · May 14, 2019

Im no expert but if hes not covered in ich or velvet spots i would personally hold off on copper till it eats.

Snoop_90 · May 17, 2019

Tried the red Algae. It doesn't actively eat it, but I did notice it grazing at it once or twice. He usually comes out when no one is around. I added copper last night, and that was when he was actively swimming around even with me standing there which was the first time I've seen him do that. Noticed he did have Ich. Hopefully I got it in time. Treating with copper power now

LAReefer4Life · May 17, 2019

How are you testing copper? Make sure you slowly raise to therapeutic levels.

Gaspipe · May 17, 2019

I have zero experience, just trying to learn. Did you do a fresh (RODI) water dip?

Floridian Reefer · May 18, 2019

Good luck! Subscribed

Floridian Reefer · May 18, 2019

Good luck! Subscribed

Floridian Reefer · May 18, 2019

Good luck! Subscribed

Snoop_90 · May 18, 2019

pathot984 said:
How are you testing copper? Make sure you slowly raise to therapeutic levels.

I use an API copper test kit. I added copper via 2 doses in 2 days.

Snoop_90 · May 22, 2019

Had ended up adding garlic to the tank as well as on mysis I did notice it eating seaweed every now and then, but sadly found PBT dead this morning

LAReefer4Life · May 23, 2019

Snoop_90 said:
Had ended up adding garlic to the tank as well as on mysis I did notice it eating seaweed every now and then, but sadly found PBT dead this morning

Sorry for your loss

Kmsutows · May 23, 2019

Were you just throwing the seaweed in there or attaching it to pvc or a rock? 10gal sounds way too small for a QT of a fish that size! That alone may be your issue. Too much stress in a tiny tank

Snoop_90 · May 23, 2019

Mostly on a clip and then I tried a rock. towards the end it was eating off the clip. It was covered in ich in the last few days, which I'm assuming is another reason why it wasn't eating and stressed more

Kmsutows · May 23, 2019

Snoop_90 said:
Mostly on a clip and then I tried a rock. towards the end it was eating off the clip. It was covered in ich in the last few days, which I'm assuming is another reason why it wasn't eating and stressed more

If fish didnt stress they for the most part wont get ich. I feel it was greatly due to the 10gal size.