Convict Tang - how to treat

[Raphael Dalmeida]

Hi,

I've got 2 convict tangs in my tank.

Until recently both just spent the whole day, really non stop grazing at algae in my rockwork. And my tank has plenty of algae .

Although that was until recently, my larger one (medium sized) stopped eating and just hangs in select corners.

I feed the tank throughout the week a mix of nori, mysis, copepods and frozen formula 1 enriched with spirulina.

This tang I already got him looking a bit skinny, and when I got him he was grazing at rock work.
But now that he stopped he's even more skinny, while the other convict is nice and chunky.

I've read these tangs have a gut bacteria to digest their veggies and I should be careful when giving antibiotics.

What's the usual line of treatment for them if they potentially have internal parasites or even an intestinal blockage ?


All other fish are good in the tank, parameters are stable, no visible injuries on this tang neither any other animals, tank has been setup for approx 3 years, mixed reef.

And he's not being bullied either (he was at the start).

Will try to get a photo of him to add here.

Cheers,

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi,

I've got 2 convict tangs in my tank.

Until recently both just spent the whole day, really non stop grazing at algae in my rockwork. And my tank has plenty of algae .

Although that was until recently, my larger one (medium sized) stopped eating and just hangs in select corners.

I feed the tank throughout the week a mix of nori, mysis, copepods and frozen formula 1 enriched with spirulina.

This tang I already got him looking a bit skinny, and when I got him he was grazing at rock work.
But now that he stopped he's even more skinny, while the other convict is nice and chunky.

I've read these tangs have a gut bacteria to digest their veggies and I should be careful when giving antibiotics.

What's the usual line of treatment for them if they potentially have internal parasites or even an intestinal blockage ?


All other fish are good in the tank, parameters are stable, no visible injuries on this tang neither any other animals, tank has been setup for approx 3 years, mixed reef.

And he's not being bullied either (he was at the start).

Will try to get a photo of him to add here.

Cheers,

The diet provided is inadequate as these are herbivires and need a variety of meats and vegetation. Some foods to offer are:
LRS herbivore diet
Formula 2 flake and frozen
TDO Pellets
small plankton
Hikari Marine cuisine
Ocean nutrition veggie diet
spirulina brine shrimp
Prime reef
Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract

Add selcon vitamins to foods occasionally

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi,

I've got 2 convict tangs in my tank.

Until recently both just spent the whole day, really non stop grazing at algae in my rockwork. And my tank has plenty of algae .

Although that was until recently, my larger one (medium sized) stopped eating and just hangs in select corners.

I feed the tank throughout the week a mix of nori, mysis, copepods and frozen formula 1 enriched with spirulina.

This tang I already got him looking a bit skinny, and when I got him he was grazing at rock work.
But now that he stopped he's even more skinny, while the other convict is nice and chunky.

I've read these tangs have a gut bacteria to digest their veggies and I should be careful when giving antibiotics.

What's the usual line of treatment for them if they potentially have internal parasites or even an intestinal blockage ?


All other fish are good in the tank, parameters are stable, no visible injuries on this tang neither any other animals, tank has been setup for approx 3 years, mixed reef.

And he's not being bullied either (he was at the start).

Will try to get a photo of him to add here.

Cheers,

When you have two fish of the same species, and one has symptoms and one does not, it usually means that fish has some specific internal issue, not a contagious disease. Also, since both are being fed the same diet, it is unlikely that is an issue.

How long have you had these fish?

A picture and video of both fish taken under white lights would help.

Jay

 

[Saltwater Depot]

convict tangs can be tricky, I have had several with internal parasite issues.

 

[Raphael Dalmeida]

When you have two fish of the same species, and one has symptoms and one does not, it usually means that fish has some specific internal issue, not a contagious disease. Also, since both are being fed the same diet, it is unlikely that is an issue.

How long have you had these fish?

A picture and video of both fish taken under white lights would help.

Jay

Thanks and thanks all for the answers. Apologies only got to the topic now it's been a while already had to travel overseas so missed this topic.

Unfortunately the fish died not long after.
I frozen him and will dissect it with a friend and see if can find any possible causes.

I didn't have him for too long. The other convict tang thankfully is doing great.

Though other people mentioned here to feed meaty foods, he does not touch anything other than the algae in the tank.

 

[Raphael Dalmeida]

The diet provided is inadequate as these are herbivires and need a variety of meats and vegetation. Some foods to offer are:
LRS herbivore diet
Formula 2 flake and frozen
TDO Pellets
small plankton
Hikari Marine cuisine
Ocean nutrition veggie diet
spirulina brine shrimp
Prime reef
Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract

Add selcon vitamins to foods occasionally

He's a goner unfortunately.

The other convict tang is doing great but he doesn't care about anything I add to the tank.

All he does is eat algae in the tank the whole day. (Which is great for me ). I guess if he gets hungry he will eat the other foods.

Though you mentioned about the diet, I thought the formula 1 w/ spirulina, mysis and krill would be good for the tank. (Though as mentioned he does not care for it).

Once in a while I already soak it on selcon.

I have flakes but I avoid feeding it as it really drives the po4 up.

 

[vetteguy53081]

He's a goner unfortunately.

The other convict tang is doing great but he doesn't care about anything I add to the tank.

All he does is eat algae in the tank the whole day. (Which is great for me ). I guess if he gets hungry he will eat the other foods.

Though you mentioned about the diet, I thought the formula 1 w/ spirulina, mysis and krill would be good for the tank. (Though as mentioned he does not care for it).

Once in a while I already soak it on selcon.

I have flakes but I avoid feeding it as it really drives the po4 up.

If it eats flakes 0 add flakes, just sparingly. Formula two is best as it has vegetation and algae based, but one is also good. Sorry to hear of loss.