So really weird question..

Amy Dawson · Nov 21, 2016

I have my reef tank in my restaurant. I know probably not the best idea but it's a little too late now. Anyway I had a nice counter build and it's sits on it with a canopy against the one wall. It's not out in the middle of the dining room at all. I'm always very careful about children around the tank etc. everything was going great for about 4 months. Lil fishes were happy, corals happy. Friday nights I always have live music and we have a pretty large dinner crowd. They are always very respectful and fairly quiet. From the beginning I covered the front of the tank on Friday nights so the fish could sleep. The past few weeks I noticed that only on Friday evenings my yellow tang was turning totally pale. Pale to the point I could see the food in his belly. I know this is bad and I feel absolutely terrible about it so don't yell at me please. I know no one is near the tank at all so it has to be from the vibrations of the base (I think at least) it must really be scaring him. The music is only from 7pm-10pm and I can't end it. I've been doing it for five years. So if you've read my whole rambling story does anyone have any suggestions for me?? I thought about moving them to my house but I'm at work around 80 hours a week and I can check on them constantly (which I do)

Amy Dawson · Nov 21, 2016

Maybe someone has had a similar problem? Or knows of some way I can protect the tank from the vibrations

Rick.45cal · Nov 21, 2016

Is there a quieter place in the restaurant? You could always find a new home for the yellow tang. It doesn't sound like he's an audiophile. Tangs are pretty skittish fish and really don't ever fully adjust to being in captivity very well. I'd probably move the tank to an office in the restaurant or move everything home. Having been a professional chef for many years I realize that probably means a neglected tank simply due to no available time to care for it. I'm afraid you probably have several pretty tough choices ahead of you.

Amy Dawson · Nov 21, 2016

That's what I thought too. It sucks I love him and he seems to be happy until Friday. You def know how the hours are though. I'll probably have to find him another home

twpilot · Nov 21, 2016

I would at least try to get that guy out of the tank and into a friends tank or quarantine tank soon. obviously something is not good with him. if its the vibrations or not ....or just sick ...Is he the only fish having problems?

CarrieB · Nov 22, 2016

Maybe some sort of insulating cover to cut down the noise?

Amy Dawson · Nov 22, 2016

Hes totally happy and healthy until the music starts. It's not overwhelming loud music either but it has to be the vibrations. Yes all the other fish are great and don't mind at all. I was thinking about some sort of foam or insulation as well. I'll google it and see if there's a material that would cut down on noise

Ineedhelp · Nov 22, 2016

there are Matts that they put in cars to prevent vibration if someone has large speakers in there cars... https://www.amazon.com/Dynamat-1045...e=UTF8&qid=1479824196&sr=8-1&keywords=dynamat I dont know if it is the best solution but maybe you could rap the tank on Friday nights... Good luck to you!

4FordFamily · Nov 22, 2016

This is completely normal behavior for zebrasoma tangs as they settle down for the night. This is their stress and night coloration and is completely normal.

While noise probably does increase stress for these fish, they live in a restaurant they'll get used to it eventually. One of my tanks is a tang tank with 10 tangs in it and they have a subwoofer right next to the tank and another in the room for when we watch movies and even daily television... pretty loud. They do just fine and are thriving. Fish are adaptable creatures like any other, and they respond to this type of stress well in time. Where I live there are restaurants with lots of nice fish tanks that have live bands several times per week and have for years.

Some fish may be more nervous and stress than others - if you have a fish that just can't seem to handle the lifestyle, sell it to another hobbyist and pick the boldest one at the LFS to replace it with. The way to do this is to touch the glass (the only time I suggest this) and stand real close and see which tangs don't back off, run away and hide, etc. Most zebrasoma are very bold and fearless but you may have a fearful nervous tang. Sailfin can be a bit more flighty initially but once they know you bring food and they grow larger they become bold. But I had a yellow and purple tang that you could pound the glass and they wouldn't even swim away. The rest of the fish would bail and these two would investigate what you were doing to their home. Hands in the tank? They wouldn't hide or avoid you they would follow it around but keep a safe distance just out of reach.

In short, it's very nice of you to be concerned and I am glad you care for your ocean creatures as you do - that speaks volumes about you. However, in this case the color changing is entirely normal behavior for many tangs at night but particularly zebrasoma tangs and I don't think you have anything to worry about. They will adjust to whatever lifestyle they need to.

Just my .02

4FordFamily · Nov 22, 2016

Amy Dawson said:
Maybe someone has had a similar problem? Or knows of some way I can protect the tank from the vibrations

Bump, I just want to make sure you read my reply.

Amy Dawson · Nov 22, 2016

Ineedhelp said:
there are Matts that they put in cars to prevent vibration if someone has large speakers in there cars... https://www.amazon.com/Dynamat-1045...e=UTF8&qid=1479824196&sr=8-1&keywords=dynamat I dont know if it is the best solution but maybe you could rap the tank on Friday nights... Good luck to you!

Yes that's awesome!! That's exactly what I was looking for!

Amy Dawson · Nov 22, 2016

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. That's awesome information. I had no idea they acted like that in the evening. I'm just getting into the hobby and there is so much I still need to learn. Thank you again

4FordFamily · Nov 22, 2016

Amy Dawson said:
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. That's awesome information. I had no idea they acted like that in the evening. I'm just getting into the hobby and there is so much I still need to learn. Thank you again

Amy, no problem at all! We are here to help. If you ever have fish questions (particularly tangs, angels, and wrasse) don't hesitate to ask me. What I don't know many others here do.

radar_17 · Nov 23, 2016

Not a whole lot to add here, other than I bet he'll adapt. My reef is in the living-room... with 5 kids constantly running by it, shouting, dancing, jumping, etc... We also enjoy our loud music. It took a couple months, but the fish (including a yellow tang) have got to the point that they pretty well ignore what's going on outside their tank... unless there's food involved!