Yellow Tang - Need Advice

GucciYoni · Mar 18, 2018

Hey guys,

I recently splurged and dropped over $200 on a beautiful yellow tang! He's currently in a 55 gallon, but hes small, and will be transferred to a 105g + when large enough. He was in a QT tank with Ich at the LFS about a month before I bought him, so they treated him and QT'd for me and I saw him eat like a horse and swim. He's clearly very healthy and is disease free!

The issue is, since dropped him in the tank, approximately 2 days now, he constantly paces along the back wall of the tank along the live rock, He rarely stops, and comes to the front where I can appreciate him. Its really bothering me because here in Sydney they cost over $200 and I didnt buy him to have him out of sight all the time. He does the same loop basically in between the rocks at the back of the tank.. When the lights go out he calms down and finds a spot at the back to rest. I should add hes also very afraid of me, extremely skittish and shy whenever my hand is in the water etc.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is this behaviour normal? Does it wear off? If so how long does it take? Are they normally pacers or do they ever just cruise around?

Appreciate any help!

tdileo · Mar 18, 2018

He will become less skittish as he realizes you will give him food lol. The pacing behavior sounds like the tank is too small, and a pretty common problem with tangs. I would move him to the bigger tank now rather than later if you can do so.

GucciYoni · Mar 18, 2018

I don't own the bigger tank yet, Hes gonna have to wait about 2.5 yrs XD! Common problem with tangs? Whats a way to solve it, hes not too big for this tank yet hes got HEAPS of open space at the front ! the tank is over 3 foot long, and hes still small

amazongb · Mar 18, 2018

Mine needs places to hide like caves etc. What other tank inhabitants do you have? Are you putting seaweed in a clip for him to eat? if not, maybe put on on the front of the tank glass..

GucciYoni · Mar 18, 2018

amazongb said:
Mine needs places to hide like caves etc. What other tank inhabitants do you have? Are you putting seaweed in a clip for him to eat? if not, maybe put on on the front of the tank glass..

The network of caves extends to the back, but he constantly paces up the back and at night sits in his cave! I thought he'd be a real character etc. Otherwise wouldn't of spent all that money. I have a small Margaritifer Chromis (Black body, white tail) Yellow tail blue damsel, clownfish, and a sand goby

amazongb · Mar 18, 2018

GucciYoni said:
The network of caves extends to the back, but he constantly paces up the back and at night sits in his cave! I thought he'd be a real character etc. Otherwise wouldn't of spent all that money. I have a small Margaritifer Chromis (Black body, white tail) Yellow tail blue damsel, clownfish, and a sand goby

Probably just needs time to adjust.. as soon as he figures out he's the Lion King, he'll be fine

GucciYoni · Mar 18, 2018

amazongb said:
Probably just needs time to adjust.. as soon as he figures out he's the Lion King, he'll be fine

LFS said not to drip acclimate so I just temp acclimated and popped him in, maybe that stressed him out? They said the drip acclimation = ammonia potentially and more stress for the Tang

amazongb · Mar 18, 2018

GucciYoni said:
LFS said not to drip acclimate so I just temp acclimated and popped him in, maybe that stressed him out? They said the drip acclimation = ammonia potentially and more stress for the Tang

Hmm.. I did kind of a hybrid drip acclimation by slowly merging tank water with the water the fish was shipped in, over like two hours. But, he's probably just stressing over his tank mates more than anything. Has he showed any sort of dominance over any other fish? are there other fish bullying him? The first couple of days, my yellow tang would back up, and take a swipe with his tail at other fish. I have a flame angel, and the two of them squared up the first couple days, and now they're like best buddies... I really think you should give it more time. Is he eating? That's the most important question..

eatbreakfast · Mar 19, 2018

Give it time. Though pacing usually is a sign it needs more space. Give it grazing opportunities so it slows down. It is also possible he is seeing his reflection along the corners if the room lights are on.

GucciYoni · Mar 19, 2018

He does it when the room lights are off and the tank lights are on. Does the pacing stop.. Theres noori on a clip and in the rocks but he barely stops to graze and hasnt touched the Noori.

GucciYoni · Mar 19, 2018

amazongb said:
Hmm.. I did kind of a hybrid drip acclimation by slowly merging tank water with the water the fish was shipped in, over like two hours. But, he's probably just stressing over his tank mates more than anything. Has he showed any sort of dominance over any other fish? are there other fish bullying him? The first couple of days, my yellow tang would back up, and take a swipe with his tail at other fish. I have a flame angel, and the two of them squared up the first couple days, and now they're like best buddies... I really think you should give it more time. Is he eating? That's the most important question..

sorta..

GucciYoni · Mar 28, 2018

Hey guys should update, pacing behaviour is super minimal now! He is my favorite purchase so far, such majestic species! and he also eats Nori which was a challenge in of itself.

Makes me so happy

GucciYoni · Mar 28, 2018

Thanks for everyones' advice

amazongb · Mar 28, 2018

GucciYoni said:
Hey guys should update, pacing behaviour is super minimal now! He is my favorite purchase so far, such majestic species! and he also eats Nori which was a challenge in of itself. Makes me so happy

Awesome, glad to hear this!