New Tang not eating and staying in one spot

[reefkeeper369]

Just purchased a Powder Brown Tang. He was swimming around and nibbling on some nori the first day. I’ve had him for 3 days and he is not eating at all and is sitting close to the bottom not doing too much. I know it’s common for these fish to need time to get adjusted. Other than that he looks healthy, the LFS said that he was a pig and always ate plentiful. Is he still just simply adjusting? He seems a bit shy and spooked, I will go near the tank and he will go hide or swim away.

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10
Ph 8.2
Temp: 78

 

[TurboTang]

Hiding after only 3 days not uncommon, but PBT laying on bottom is not good.
What size tank, how long has it been set up, and what other fish?
Also very important what is your salinity and did it compare to LFS?

 

[315wall]

Tangs will get scared from people approaching the tank. Any other fish bothering the new tang ? Are the gills pumping fast or just relaxed ?

 

[reefkeeper369]

Tangs will get scared from people approaching the tank. Any other fish bothering the new tang ? Are the gills pumping fast or just relaxed ?

No fish are bothering him, relaxed breathing

 

[315wall]

Sounds like they should be ok, just getting acclimated.

 

[Tanglover1]

Just purchased a Powder Brown Tang. He was swimming around and nibbling on some nori the first day. I’ve had him for 3 days and he is not eating at all and is sitting close to the bottom not doing too much. I know it’s common for these fish to need time to get adjusted. Other than that he looks healthy, the LFS said that he was a pig and always ate plentiful. Is he still just simply adjusting? He seems a bit shy and spooked, I will go near the tank and he will go hide or swim away.

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10
Ph 8.2
Temp: 78

I would try mysis shrimp. What is the tank size? What other fish u hv? U hv to try mixing meaty and veg food and see what it wants. In beginning they r challenging. Also u can leave lights off so that it might get stress as they r beautiful fish but gets afraid/stress quickly. After some time when it adjust, it will come after u but for that it will need time to recognize u. Tank size and tank mates will play a big role

 

[Aluco]

Good luck, I'm sure you'll figure it out. I had to take a couple trips to the lfs to find a food my hogfish would eat. That's my favorite tang, you have good taste

 

[reefkeeper369]

Sounds like they should be ok, just getting acclimated.

Still not eating this morning, remaining in the same spot… will see how it plays out

 

[Tanglover1]

Still not eating this morning, remaining in the same spot… will see how it plays out

Does it come out when u go from that place? What tankmates do u hv and size of the tank? Also post a pic

 

[reefkeeper369]

I would try mysis shrimp. What is the tank size? What other fish u hv? U hv to try mixing meaty and veg food and see what it wants. In beginning they r challenging. Also u can leave lights off so that it might get stress as they r beautiful fish but gets afraid/stress quickly. After some time when it adjust, it will come after u but for that it will need time to recognize u. Tank size and tank mates will play a big role

No interest in the mysis shrimp. No interest in the nori. Tank mates are 2 clownfish, a very small juvenile semicircle angelfish, and a mandarin with a fire shrimp. She definitely seems like a wimp, I know that is common with tangs to be skiddishespecially at first. It’s the 4th day of lounging around and no eating

 

[reefkeeper369]

Does it come out when u go from that place? What tankmates do u hv and size of the tank? Also post a pic

Check last reply for tankmates… no, she will continue to stay in the same spot

 

[Tanglover1]

No interest in the mysis shrimp. No interest in the nori. Tank mates are 2 clownfish, a very small juvenile semicircle angelfish, and a mandarin with a fire shrimp. She definitely seems like a wimp, I know that is common with tangs to be skiddishespecially at first. It’s the 4th day of lounging around and no eating

Is the tang small? Also what is the size of the tank

 

[reefkeeper369]

Is the tang small? Also what is the size of the tank

90 gallons, I would say maybe 4 inches

 

[Tanglover1]

90 gallons, I would say maybe 4 inches

Tank is small. Still give it some time as I think they need min. 120 g . If it is small in size,it will take time to get settle. Just keep a close eye on it if u see anything wrong, inform us

 

[reefkeeper369]

Is the tang small? Also what is the size of the tank

 

[Tanglover1]

Try to leave food near it's hiding place.

 

[Tanglover1]

View attachment 3041558

Looking good(hoping I hv not missed anything). For now just keep an eye. Do u hv algae in tank?

 

[TurboTang]

Beautiful fish - hope it settles in soon.
I have a tang now that will only eat Rods frozen and hikari spirulina wafers and nori. Turns away from everything else. Absolutely loves the wafers though. You might just have to try more foods to find something it can't resist. It has a healthy weight at least, so you have some time to figure it out

 

[reefkeeper369]

Looking good(hoping I hv not missed anything). For now just keep an eye. Do u hv algae in tank?

Yes I do

 

[reefkeeper369]

Beautiful fish - hope it settles in soon.
I have a tang now that will only eat Rods frozen and hikari spirulina wafers and nori. Turns away from everything else. Absolutely loves the wafers though. You might just have to try more foods to find something it can't resist. It has a healthy weight at least, so you have some time to figure it out

Seems very strong. Great looking fish. She was nibbling on the nori the first day so just kind of odd to have done that then act skiddish instead of the other way around but I hope she starts coming around shortly