powder blue tang won't eat

[C J Rodders]

I have had the powder blue tang in a stable water conditioned 85g tank for 11 days and there is no evidence of it eating. I have tried fresh nori, dried nori, frozen brine shrimp(thawed). There is some hair algae growing in the tank. At purchase, it had been in the LFS for 3 days and hadn't eaten there either. It was in perfect condition and now looks slightly concave in the cheeks. Over the last two days, it has developed small lumps behind its eyes on the powder blue surface (paracites?) What do I do? I have no UV facility at the moment.I have lots of inverts and am concerned about their welfare if I start adding chemicals. Should I phone the LFS and ask them to take the fish back? It cost me £45 which is about $66. The money is not the major problem. I dearly want to save the life of the tang. The two clowns are doing well. I really will appreciate some sound advice. I think I have probably made a poor choice in purchasing a powder blue after only 12 weeks of setting up the Berlin system.

 

[Anonymous]

You are correct that your system is too young. Another problem is getting a fish without it eating at the store. It is my understanding that chemicals are frequently used to catch these fish. If the store will take it back, that would be a good idea. Please get Scott Michaels book on 500 Marine fish, and do not ever buy a fish if it isn't eating at the store.

 

[Anonymous]

CJ,

I know it doesn't help you much now; but Powder Blues have a bad track record for surviving in captivity.
Like Steve said - if you can take it back, do it!
Only thing that might be a winner is trying some live brine shrimp.

 

[MandarinFish]

With all due respect, I humbly submit you shouldn't be keeping one in the first place. I'm not hassling you, I just know that there is a very low success rate.

Watching Powder Blue Tangs die is sad and common.

Please don't keep them. Very veteran reefers struggle to keep them, sooooooooo many die in captivity it's just a death sentence.

Perhaps getting a tank-raised one would be met with more success?

[ March 13, 2002: Message edited by: MandarinFish ]</p>