Lettuce or sea algae best for tangs?

[PHiLiPSKim]

Hey guys,

Got a topic I'd like some input on. So at LFS I see them feeding tangs lettuce. I asked the guy and he said its cheaper and the same to the tangs. But, I have some friends swearing by the dry sea algae. Some arguments saying "I like my reef to be as close to the ocean as possible, can you get lettuce in the ocean?" I hate that argument lol what do you guys think?

 

[skene]

It's fine.

 

[marrone]

There are many different type of algae that Tangs eat in the wild, so any type that of greens that you feed them will be good. The thing with lettuce is that some type have no nutritional value, mostly water, well other types are very hard for the Tangs to break down, and most of it just gets crapped out, so they get no nutritional value from it. I have found that if you freeze Romaine lettuce the fish are better able to break it down, which helps them get more out of it. Nori sheets are very good for your fish as is Spirulina, which you can get in flake food.

Most LFS are going to feed their fish lettuce, as just like the person told you, it's cheap and does make the fish look fat, which helps to sell them.

 

[Awibrandy]

You can get Nori sheets at most Asian Markets cheap enough that you don't need to feed your tangs lettuce.

 

[greybolt03]

I go to a local Asian market and for $3.00 get enough nori sheet to last for about 3 months

 

[albano]

You can get Nori sheets at most Asian Markets cheap enough that you don't need to feed your tangs lettuce.

+1...
plus... "I like my reef to be as close to the ocean as possible, can you get lettuce in the ocean?"*





*JK

 

[Gabe]

I feed mine both, and from the time that I had a queen angel, they got used to nori seaweed that I used to get at the Asian supermarket.... They go bananas for it, so I feed it once a week as a special treat.

 

[ducati335i]

Nori man! I spent 80 a d buy human sushi grade sheets.. I use up to 2 sheets a day... Lasts a yr, my fish all poop powder and have insane colors..

 

[skene]

+1...
plus... "I like my reef to be as close to the ocean as possible, can you get lettuce in the ocean?"*





*JK

Ulva = Sea Lettuce...

:p

 

[Gabe]

To albano : I would love for my tank to be just like the ocean, but unfortunately there's no flakes and pellets in the ocean as well, and lettuce is a fresh produce that the fish really appreciate.

 

[Gabe]

To albano : JK

 

[h2o]

I grow dragonsbreath algae in my sump they love this stuff just can't grow it fast enough .
The trick is to feed them all kinds of food so they can get all the vitamins they need to stay healthy and parasite free mixing their diet helps them keep those vibrant colors .

 

[PHiLiPSKim]

Wow lots of great advice. I want the ocean haha. Tangs pooping powder was awesome too haha

 

[PHiLiPSKim]

Haha all great feed back guys. But, having tangs poop powder made me laugh haha

 

[Dre]

Sea weed is for fish, lettuce is for people. Do you eat dog food?

 

[Dre]

Sea weed is for fish, lettuce is for people. Do you eat dog food?

I know you don't, just saying. Go to China Town you'll find sea weed cheaper than lettuce...

 

[Gabe]

Ha ha , what if my scopas lost a bet???

 

[Imbarrie]

There really is no reason to add lettuce if you can find good nori. We do out best to feed our fish something approaching what they would normally eat.
If you feed lettuce the tangs will not eat all of it and a lot falls to the bottom and rots. What other marine animals scavenge lettuce?
The best is to have a fuge growing macros like ulva, octodes, some red grape and gracelaria. Then you can add a little of each whenever. Whatever they dont eat will drop and start to grow until the tang eats it.
But a good part of their diet will come from prepared foods.

I knew someone with a naso tang and it was fed a piece of romaine lettuce daily. The water was always brown and there were pieces of this stuff on the bottom all the time.