Do you have to have sandbed to keep a yellow tang healthy? [Archive] - Saltwater Aquariums

tim2

11-09-2002, 09:58 AM

I have lost a yellow tang. It started out fine and was grazing alot but after two weeks he stopped and started to get real skinny. He even stopped eating the spirulina when I did the regular feedings. Could it be because i bought a small one or I have read that a sand bed (not cc) is needed for proper digestion.They supposedly ingest some sand to help break down food. All other fish are doing fine. I checked all params and all are good. Also had plenty of micro and macro for grazing. Do reg water chgs every two wks. Only the tang. Lost another one a year ago the same way. Im wondering about a kole next but am kinda tang shy right now. Thanks Tim

ssgibby

11-16-2002, 10:46 AM

A deep sand bed is not needed to keep a yellow tang, it will help with the nutrient break down though. I have found the tangs get tires of the same food. Have you tried feeding it boiled lettuce, spinach, calpeura (spelling)?

reaper_jac

11-27-2005, 12:29 AM

I have just had one pass myself. He was 3 years old from the time I got him to a nice adult size. All of the suden i looked over he was brown and not looking so good. I pulled him out and started to treat with coper but it was no good. I waited a month and got anouther and now the little guy was happy at first and now he is not eating and is just laying around so to the quarantean tank with him. But my hippo tang, and powder blue are just fine..

olsalty

11-27-2005, 01:14 AM

FYI...lettuce has nearly no nutritional value.

flyboydave

11-27-2005, 04:09 PM

I have just had one pass myself. He was 3 years old from the time I got him to a nice adult size. All of the suden i looked over he was brown and not looking so good. I pulled him out and started to treat with coper but it was no good. I waited a month and got anouther and now the little guy was happy at first and now he is not eating and is just laying around so to the quarantean tank with him. But my hippo tang, and powder blue are just fine..

I may be mistaken, but I think Tangs are one of the fish that can't handle copper treatments.

pnut

11-27-2005, 05:28 PM

I may be mistaken, but I think Tangs are one of the fish that can't handle copper treatments.

I have read the same thing, I couldn't find the link forit though. If they aren't eating, it might be a sign of parasites. Try soaking the food in garlic. Garlic sparks their appetites, works well for all finicky eaters.