My Blue Tang is laying on his side   6/18/06
Hello Bob. I really hope there is something you can do to help my Tang.
I purchased a Blue Tang yesterday. I put him in an empty QT tank and slowly added some water from my main tank every 30 minutes. I then put
him into my main tank and immediately put live brine into my tank.
<Why?>
I have noticed that this makes all the other fish not pay so much attention to the new fish, and it relieves the stress of the new fish because there is live food for him to concentrate on.
<Ahh!>
I was happy because this has worked well for me and I have yet to lose a fish.
Today I woke up and couldn't find the newest addition to my aquarium.
<A shy species. Often hides a great deal, especially at first>
I looked everywhere so I had to resort to moving things around.
<I wouldn't do this>
I have 1 ornament in my tank (No longer in the tank) and I found my Blue Tang trapped under the ornament.
<Not likely trapped...>
He was probably deprived of oxygen all night, and is now showing the effects.
He was laying on his side and had no strength.
<Paracanthurus do lie on their sides a great deal...>
The filtration system was pulling him towards it so I turned it off. He would then lay on a rock or the sand at the bottom of the tank. I had to pull him out, add main
tank water to my QT tank, and put him in there. I did this because I did not want to keep my filtration system off, but if I turned it on with
the Blue Tang inside, it would pull him towards it.
He is now laying on the bottom of the QT tank. He looks like he is dead, but every so often he will swim around very very fast, and then lay on his side again.
Is there anything I can do to help him, or is he a goner?
I do not have a filter in my QT tank
<!? You do have such? Why don't you use it?>
because I have never had to put a fish in there, except when he is new. No diseases or anything else for any of my fish. I was thinking of going out and buying an air rock or
something to see if I can help him get the necessary oxygen. Please help!
Tank Size: 55 Gal
<Too small ultimately for this species>
Temp: 78
SG: 1.021
<I'd raise this...>
PH: 8.1
NO2: .25
<Should be zip. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/paracant.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Re: Help! I can't find my hippo tang!  6/19/06
First, thank you so much for your quick response. Just an update - we did end up (very carefully) moving all the rock and coral in the tank
just in case he had crept under one and was hiding/resting (I'd like to say resting.) To no avail. NOTHING.
<Mysterious...>
If I hadn't experienced this, I would've been a doubter. He literally just disappeared overnight. Thank you for the article- I've made my fianc?a believer in the quarantine
tank now. We'd been told by the guys at the store where we get all of our livestock, set up, advice, etc.. that the quarantine tank could "shock" the fish more than any of the issues it was having and it was an unnecessary expense. Sorry - we tried it their way and now we have a missing, and potentially consumed tang. Quarantine tank it is.
<... You know, there is another distinct possibility I/we should mention. That is the Tang may have "jumped out"... and (possibly?) been consumed there by a pet... or have flopped to some area nearby... Paracanthurus are powerful jumpers...>
Thanks again for your advice on this. We'll monitor the ammonia (is there any sort of treatment we can provide to the main tank in the meantime for the Ich parasite, which is probably still in there and in case of ammonia spike)?
<Yes>
We'll also do 5 gallon changes frequently over the next couple of weeks.
Thank you again.. Still missing her tang in Texas. :)
<Outstanding. Thank you for this update. Bob Fenner>

Paracanthurus/Blue Tang ... health  3/4/06
Mr. Fenner & Crew, <Bryan.> A while back wrote to you about my very tiny 1" blue tang which I suspected to have ich shortly after introduction to quarantine.  You suggested a biological treatment before chemical because of the size.  Well, here's an update and a few questions.  Biological cleaning barely helped the little guy so I did a four day treatment of copper and after a rough 2 weeks everything seems to be fine. It has been 6 weeks now and the he's doing great and as almost doubled in size. <Good to hear.> Currently he is still in the 20gal tank that I first put him in to treat and grow a little before moving to the big tank.  My question is what would be a good size for him to be before I put him in the display tank.  My concern is the other fish he will be joining (mainly the purple tang - 5").  Should I wait until he gets about 3-4"? <Might be better to put in there now.  The small size of the blue tang may not be recognized as a threat to the purple tang.  Keep in mind that regardless of size there will more than likely be a skirmish or two.> Also, when that time comes and there has been no additional sign of illness, should I give a FW bath prior to moving to the display tank or skip it? <I would skip it.  This is the purpose of quarantine...fish looks good for three to four weeks, time to move.> Lastly, do you know any tricks to get blue tangs to eat their greens, <Might try an algae clip, worked for me once.> he eats everything but seaweed and macro/micro algae.  He loves every type of shrimp, flake, and plankton I offer to him.  Most of the foods I use are high in HUFA and Spirulina and sometimes I soak it in Selcon.  Will this mix of foods do, or do I need to continue to try the greens? <Sounds like a healthy diet but do continue trying the greens.  The greens are the freeze dried variety, correct?>
Thanks, <You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Bryan

Tiny Hippos
Hi,
We have a 200 gallon tank reef tank that has been setup for 3 months (and most live rock came from an existing tank). The only fish are a 3" Yellow Tang and 4 Green Chromis. They are still in quarantine in order to ensure the new tank was stable and free of any ich. 
<Good>
We would like to add 2 Hippo Tangs and have them grow up in the tank. Both our LFS and LiveAquaria have Tiny Hippos (body=3/4") in stock.
<This IS small... but this species is quite hardy, caught, shipped at this size... providing they've been and kept fed>
In fact this is the only size available. We have a cycled 20 gallon setup. If we quarantine them for 6 weeks and don't add the Yellow or Chromis to the big tank until the same time, would that size work out okay in the large system?
<Mmm, if it were me, mine, I'd pH adjusted freshwater dip them on the way into quarantine, only keep them there (with some PVC pipe fittings to hide in) for two weeks... and then dip them again on the way to the main/display tank... this is all that is necessary with small Paracanthurus, and about all the stress they can take>
We intend to feed both live algae red and Zooplex (with possibly flakes and/or the meaty mix we feed the others) a couple times a day (because of their size). Once in the big tank, they should have plenty of copepods and amphipods, etc. on the rocks as supplement because we have stocked both and they have multiplied like crazy while the tank has gone fallow.
<Good>
Would we be crazy to get 2 this size?
<Nope>
If you think it is okay to get them - should we do the usual freshwater dip pre-quarantine as small as they are?
<Ahh! I've got to adopt my own suggestion to read all input before responding... Yes my friend. Bob Fenner>

Re: questions about blue tang biology
Dear WWM Crew,
<Elizabeth>
I'm doing a report/project on the (Pacific) blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) and can't find some particular info off the net (I haven't been able to find very many good books, either). First; what natural enemies/predators does the blue tang have?
<I imagine the "usual suspects" like larger basses/groupers, sharks, triggerfishes...>
Second; what is its current population?
<Try looking up this species distribution et al. on fishbase.org
You can use the common name... or scientific if you know which blue tang this is...>
If you could answer these questions it would be unbelievably helpful to me and I would be ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to you. The project is due Tuesday, Jan.18 2005, so if you could get back to me before then I would rejoice extensively.
Thank you a great deal,
Elizabeth Shearer

Quarantine a blue tang?
A general question about the Yellow-Tailed Blue (Hippo) Tang.  I have read
through your website and FAQ's.  Several comments concerning ALWAYS
quarantine your new fish, especially the Tangs because of there
susceptibility to disease.  However, reading your material on this tang the
website specifically says not to quarantine them and put them right into the
main display tank.
<< Odd information.  I would say that most people on this site would encourage you to quarantine them. >>
"Introduction/Acclimation
This is one of those species that are better off not being purposely
quarantined; put another way, IMO (in my opinion), the stress induced via
isolation and re-moving Paracanthurus is generally more harmful than the
risk of introduction of some contagion. I would run newcomers through a
preventative bath/dip of pH adjusted freshwater and promptly place them in
the main/display unit."
I would like to purchase one of these beautiful fish in the near future.
Should I quarantine or not? << Well that is the question isn't it.  I don't quarantine my fish, but many experts do.  I don't think I can really answer your question, only say that it is up to you. >> I have only a 20 gallon quarantine tank.
Your opinion? << Just add him to your tank. >>
Thanks,
Dave
<<  Blundell  >>

Adding a palette tang
    Hi I have a new tank it's a 125gal tank that has been up since the
first of August. I have a firefish, glass goby, small blue damsel,2 percula
clowns
, 3 small royal grammas, and 2 camel shrimp. I have a 30 gallon sump
with a 200gal ability  ASM-g skimmer. I have a 800 gallon per hour
powerhead that I leave on most of the time (except when feeding).
I take a powerhead and get any sediment that the currents didn't get up
every day. I was wondering if a palette tang would be alright in the tank.
I'm not getting it right away, I would like the algae and live rock to grow a
little more.
I also might get a ultraviolet light system if needed. thanks Jonathan
<Should be fine. Bob Fenner>

Blue tang is covered in flour?!?!?!?
Hi,
My blue tang has FINALLY gotten over ich, I am so happy! But now, I don't know
if my tang has another disease or not. My blue tang appears to have rolled in
flour and looks like he has very slight coating of it over his body. I am
hoping it is not a disease but if it is will you please send me some info on how
to treat it?
thanks
Hello,
    It sounds like your tang has a secondary infection called Lymphocystis.  I would recommend putting the fish into a quarantine tank and then treating with a formaldehyde based medication like quick cure or something along those lines.  If that that does not work then try something like Quinsulfex by Aquatronics.  Good Luck!
Mike B.

Blue Tang In A Blue Mood? (Possible Illness...Or?)
Greetings from the Wine Country,
<Hi there! Scott F. with you today!>
I've been reading your site for over a year now and am most impressed with the excellent work all of you do.
<Thank you for your kind words!>
Almost seven years ago I bought my girlfriend a 60 gallon SW aquarium for her birthday.  That and a trip to Vegas and Death Valley.  She sure is sweet and worth it.
<Awesome to hear that!>
Our first acquisition was a very small Pacific Blue Tang we named Appolonia. (We name all our fish.)
<A very cool name! Don't tell me that it wears a Raspberry Beret or comes from the waters of Lake Minetonka, however!>
She is now about six inches long and lives with a Cleaner Shrimp, Scooter Blenny, Clown Percula, Orchid Dottyback and a Yellow
Tang.  All of them get along fine with Appolonia as the dominant one.
<That seems about right for that combination of fish!>
We test water every few days and perform weekly water changes of 10-15%. All tests now and in the past month have been fine.  Had a little nitrate bump for awhile that was causing algae blooms but looks like we have it stabilized now.
<Glad to hear that!>
Diet for many years has been Emerald Entree (frozen algae) and frozen brine shrimp with occasional frozen krill. And on holidays we even give them some live brine shrimp. Hey, we all got to have a treat now and then.
<Yep!>
We've offered them Nori but they pretty much ignore it. Though they are partial to Romaine we do not offer it to them very often.
<Good. I'm really not a big fan of using terrestrial greens like Romaine to feed marine fishes. They offer very little in the way of nutritional value for the fish. Better to use algae of marine origin, such as sushi Nori, Kombu, or even fresh macroalgae, such as Gracilaria. Also, Blue Tangs (Paracanthurus hepatus) tend to be more omnivorous, feeding on zooplankton as well as vegetable material. Mysis is a very nutritional alternative to brine shrimp>
Yesterday Vicki (G/F) fed them Ocean Star Marine Pellets for the first time. Today Appolonia is just hanging out behind the live  rock and is very lethargic. She won't even eat and she is always like the proverbial pig at the trough rushing about to scarf up as much as she can at feeding time.
<I think the use of the pellets and the weird behavior are unrelated, but it is cause for concern when the fish goes "off its feed".>
I came home tonight to this news after "lights out" so took a flashlight to look at her and from what I can see, she is hidden back there, there are no signs of external parasites, trauma or discoloration. Her breathing looks slow and her pecs are hardly moving. I hope she lasts. I'm not having a good
feeling right now.
<Not good...>
What is the average life span of this species?
<Up to 20 years or more in the wild, almost as long in captivity!>
I am, as always, open to whatever suggestions you may have.
Loren Davis
<Well, Loren, the slow breathing and lethargic behavior are not good signs. I would not eliminate the possibility of a parasitic disease (such as Amyloodinium or Cryptocaryon) just yet, even though no external symptoms (the usual spots, mucus, etc.) have not yet manifested themselves. First, do run a complete set of water quality tests to get to the bottom of things to see if any environmental parameters are out of whack. If the environmental parameters are in line, you may very well be dealing with a disease. Before you remove the fish for further observation and treatment in a separate tank (and a separate tank is definitely the way to treat any fish, IMO). If you do see the fish deteriorating further, and displaying more signs of potential parasitic (or other) illness, remove the fish to a separate tank for treatment. If you are hesitant to use medication initially, or are unsure of what you may be looking at, it's never a bad idea to perform a water change or two to see if the fish improves. Keep trying to feed the fish with its favorite foods, and don't be discouraged! Hang in there! Regards, Scott F>

More on Pacific Blue Tang email
Hello again,
Got a little more info on my earlier question.
This morning after sending you my previous email we turned the tank lights
on and the Blue Tang is still alive and still back in her corner behind the
live rock. But now I can get a better look and she does look pale and
breathing rapidly. Pec fins are moving more than last night though.
>>I hope for the best.>>
Put some Emerald Delight in a turkey baster and squirted it back in by her but she still won't eat.>>
Make sure you don't stress here by squirting food at her.
>>If you can get some live food that might help entice her to eat.>>
Looked at the thermometer and it was showing 69F. Yikes. We usually keep it
about 76F. Checked the heater and it was dead.  Ran out and picked up a new
300W at Pet Smart. (Only place open at that time.) Before I left I gave my
girlfriend instructions to heat up some water and *slowly* introduce it into
the rear of the tank until the temp came up to 72F. Figured a three degree
rise would not cause to much stress.  Got back and... well... she didn't
follow my instructions and now it's at 76F.  Have the new heater in place.
>>Hopefully the temp swings were too much for her.>>
Tested the water and here's what I have
PH - 8.0  (usually at 8.4)
Alk - high (new Marine Lab test kit only gives a low-->high scale)
Total Ammonia  <0.25
Nitrites  0.0
Nitrates  0.0
SG 1.024
>>The ammonia worries me. Did other stuff die? (Sorry, I didn't get to see your previous messages)>
Also noticed that our Feather Duster died.  Was alive prior to the feeding
with Ocean Stars yesterday. She only put in about 25-30 pellets. They are
real small.
>>When you say die what do you mean? Sometimes FD's lose their 'heads' and grow new ones>>
This one is stumping me. There are two variables in here though I kind of
doubt the Ocean Stars are the culprit. More than likely the lower
temperature though I'm not sure a drop to 69F would result in what I am
observing. Or there may be some other factor involved and the other two are
just non-causal coincidences.
>>Seems to me the temp drop is to blame>>
Once again, any light you can shed would be most appreciated.
>>Hope it helped!
Loren Davis
P.S.  Just checked the local Borders bookstore and they have a copy of CMA
so I'm heading out to buy it.
>>Great. Its a very good book!>>
>>Rich>>