Why can't I keep tangs alive?

[AWD]

I had two tangs do so well it didn't seem that they would ever die. One was given to me and he had hair algae so thick he didn't feed it for two years. I finally gave that fish away after a long time.

Since then I can seem to get one to live longer than five days. I have 15 different corals thriving and one blue/yellow damsel. I added two yellow tangs. I dripp acclimated them for four hours. I released them and they seemed fine and later went to bed in the rocks. The next day they came out to eat. The next day no sign of them. A week later still no sign not even during feeding time.

I can't figure out why everything is doing so well and the tangs never seem to make it. I have added 1 kole and several yellows. generally, I can't get them to eat.

Anyone understand these tangs.

parameters are all great. No protein skimmer, DSB filter plus caulerpa and corals and live rock.

Thanks

 

[Razor]

First of all make sure nothing else is picking on them when you first put them in.

I've had similar problems and while the solution seems strange it has worked for me. The acclimation process seems too long, four hours may be pushing the amount of time the fish can take it in the bag. Regardless, when you float the bags and begin your drip, turn off the lights to your tank. Then complete the acclimation process and net the fish into your tank with the lights off. This works best at night, when your other fish has gone to sleep. Leave the lights off and then let them come back on at their normal time in the morning. This seems to keep other fish away and allows your new fish time to get used to their new home. By the time the lights come on in the morning, the new fish have had at least 8 hours to adjust and can withstand any minor fights with tank mates.

Good luck.

 

[AWD]

Thanks Razor,

I did do exactly that. I forgot to mention that I did have a domino damsel with the other tangs that didn't make it. I thought since I got rid of it, my promblem is over.

I love tangs so if I think I need to get rid of the damsel (only fish in tank) I will.

 

[Razor]

What happened to the tangs? Ich? Bacterial infection?

Are you buying the tangs from a reputable shop?

I also love tangs and have had problems with them stressing out, getting Ich and dying. But after beginning the acclimation process I mentioned above, I haven't lost one yet (knock on wood).

 

[naesco]

I will help you AWD.
What is the size of your tank?
What is the temperature?
What other fish are in it?
Do you run a skimmer?
What is the salinity?

Because you did not mention any problem with ich or other obvious signs like heavy breathing etc., I suspect it is the water. Probably the lack of oxygen but please answer the questions first. Thank you.

 

[EmilyB]

Ditto. I would like to help if I can. I have six tangs of different species, in various tanks.

One of the most common things I have heard lately is, "I don't like to see food floating around in my tank". :roll:

Tangs need SPACE, FOOD, and, as a result, HEAVY DUTY SKIMMING, (amongst other specific needs depending on the species). IME, IMO of course. They eat and crap. Some more visibly than others. 8O

SPS, coral focused people, gross out when I feed. I feed the tangs. Keep that in mind.

 

[AWD]

Thanks ya'll

I didn't include that because I felt my message was too long already.

Here are the questions posted by naesco.


What is the size of your tank? 125 gal 6' long
What is the temperature? 79
What other fish are in it? Only one blue/yellow damsel. He didn't appear to do anything to the newbies.
Do you run a skimmer? No I don't, I'm in the process of getting one. I haven't seen the urgency being as all the water tests I run have NEVER been out of wack
What is the salinity? 1.021 same as the pet store.

The tangs were in excellent health at the store and had been there for about a week.

There were no signs at all of stress. Although, I didn't see much of them. When they ate the next day they were breathing fine.

The tangs that I tried about a year ago did show stress signs. usually they turned red once one had flaired gills and the kole just never ate.

As I mentioned it was a year ago and nothing else has died for unknown reason, so I am clueless as to the cause. Unfortunitly there were two tangs that I lost that were purchased at the same time. I honestly thought that there was no way they would die as I did everything I knew how to in order to preserve their lives.

:?

 

[EmilyB]

What did you feed the kole that never ate?

With no diatomous algae, the kole needs something like OSI stickon tabs, or spirulina sinking tabs, of course OSI spirulina flake is a staple for any tang/or actually most fish/ I have known.

Did you feed the tangs nori, or a suitable grazing alternative each day?

P.S.

I got confused...you seemed to say this was a reef tank, and then you said 1.021... :?

 

[naesco]

I would oxygenate your water by placing a powerhead near the top.
A lack of oxygen would manifest itself with fish breaking the surface of the water. Tangs in particular need high oxygen levels.
To avoid the possibility of your LFS having some fish problem (even unknowingly) choose another vendor.
Never buy a tang online as you cannot see the condition of the fish.
The tang you choose should be plumb, alert spot free, clear eyes and feeding agressively otherwise pass. There will always be another. Do not believe the LFS if they say the tang just ate.
Make sure your water perameters are correct.
Use garlic extract treatment as an ich preventative.
You should be alright but in a 125 I would only keep one tang.
Good Luck

 

[AWD]

Thanks naesco,

I think you are right. I have never heard of tangs needing lots of oxygen. I am skimmerless. I did watch the tangs eat. I assumed I have plenty of oxygen because of the caulerpa and corals. I do also have some cyano. Would cyano use up alot of oxygen.

EmilyB
My salinity is at 1.021. I used to keep it at 1.023-4 but every LFS and other reefers in my area all seem to maintain theirs at 1.021. So, I gave in, FWI the corals are doing excellent.

I have a food that is frozen with mysis shrimp, nori, brine, garlic, and two other sheets of some other form of seaweed.

 

[john f]

1.021 is too low!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, you are probably checking it with a swing arm aren't you?
If so, the TRUE sg is probably closer to 1.024-25.

Swing arm hydrometers are useless.


As for the tangs............ever tried to quarantine one? I would Q 1 small tang at a time in a bare bottom tank with some large (2") PVC pipes for shelter. Use hyposalinity at 14ppt (1.009 at 80 degrees) to eliminate Ich from the fish before he goes into the display tank. Quarantine the fish for 3 full weeks before raising the QT salinity to 33ppt. Then add him to the display tank and see how much better the tang will do.




John