Tang Gulping at Surface

[piranhaman00]

Hello,

I have a big Lieutenant tang that likes to gulp at the surface, as if he is trying to eat flake food that isn't there, its usually in the same corner. I read that they are trying to eat protein layer off surface of water. I am trying to eliminate some possibilities for losing some other fish.

Anyone have tangs that do this? Or is this a symptom of flukes ect...

 

[piranhaman00]

Ill also add that its not a bobbing up and down vertically like you see in fish dieing, he is like swimming along and gulping the surface, usually in the same corner, it looks like he is going after algae built up in that corner.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Ill also add that its not a bobbing up and down vertically like you see in fish dieing, he is like swimming along and gulping the surface, usually in the same corner, it looks like he is going after algae built up in that corner.

I have a 12 year old vlamingi and a 9 year old hippo tang that do the same thing. The hippo actually grabs air and brings it down, lets it go and then chases the bubbles from time to time.

both eat algae in the same areas and both have done this since they all were about 1-2 years old.

If it is the only fish doing it, eats well, no flashing and all other fish are fine, I would suspect it is just doing it’s thing and is more than likely ok.

 

[Wen]

Hello,

I have a big Lieutenant tang that likes to gulp at the surface, as if he is trying to eat flake food that isn't there, its usually in the same corner. I read that they are trying to eat protein layer off surface of water. I am trying to eliminate some possibilities for losing some other fish.

Anyone have tangs that do this? Or is this a symptom of flukes ect...

Photo of tang and more info about your tank...? What other fish have you lost? Do you have a skimmer, surface water movement?

 

[Wen]

I have a 12 year old vlamingi and a 9 year old hippo tang that do the same thing. The hippo actually grabs air and brings it down, lets it go and then chases the bubbles from time to time.

both eat algae in the same areas and both have done this since they all were about 1-2 years old.

If it is the only fish doing it, eats well, no flashing and all other fish are fine, I would suspect it is just doing it’s thing and is more than likely ok.

My hippo does the same game with bubbles when her belly is full at the end of the day.

 

[Smirkish]

My yellow tang does this occasionally, especially if I fed in the past hour. I haven’t researched it too much, because I haven’t noticed any other signs or symptoms for concern. I remember reading that tangs will go after bubbles at the surface sometime, if they think it’s food, though. Or maybe he is going after algae. As long as you aren’t concerned about oxygen, I wouldn’t worry.

 

[Rmckoy]

I have questioned before why they do it .
foxface , mata tang , orange shoulder tang and blue tang all do it . Most
Times in a corner , gulp at the surface and release air bubbles in the water

 

[piranhaman00]

Thanks all for replying! Eases my worry.

THanks!

 

[Waters]

Yeah my Foxface does it all the time. I think he is just bored lol.

 

[Squidward]

My Fowleri Tang does that at the same corner as well.

 

[Wick3d_1]

Yeah my Foxface does it all the time. I think he is just bored lol.

There's a foxface at my LFS who does it so she can spit water at you Its her way of getting attention

 

[ca1ore]

Pretty common frankly. Mine do it, mostly in the corners, to get at the algae that lives at the water/air interface.

 

[najer]

My foxface does it all the time, I had a lieutenant for a while and it did it as well.

 

[Rmckoy]

My foxface does it all the time, I had a lieutenant for a while and it did it as well.

I just tried taking a picture
Foxface , mata tang and orange shoulder all in the same corner .
I think they know when I’m trying to take their picture