Phillipine Yellow Tang

[DaveP]

I have a philippine yellow tang that I have had for 2 years now. recently his head has began to darken. It gets almost dark grey expecially when under stress such as tank cleaning, water changes etc. His gills are bright red and he still eats like a horse. my water paramaters are .25 ammonia, nitrate under 8, ph and alk are fine. Is this part of the aging process or is something wrong. Thanks Dave

[Pineapple House]

WELCOME TO REEFLOUNGE! YOU have just enetered the board of fun, frolics, and knowledged people :-D




Most fish will darken as a Warning colour, or stress color, usually from another tankmate. This is usually when the fish feels unconfortable, or threatend in any manner, they will display thier warning colors. It would help to know what size tank you have, and fellow tank mates.

This is just one posibiliy, which seems the most likely, since it seems to be eating perfectly, and not displaying any sign of labored breathing, swimming issues, etc.

PH =)

[DaveP]

I have a 54 gallon corner bowfront. Tank mates are a regal blue tang, 2 false percs and 2 green chromis. I bought the two tangs on the same day and have never witnessed any type of struggle between the two. I have 50 plus pounds of live rock with several leathers, 2 open brains ,a frogspawn, a doughnut and some yellow pollyps. I know this is a large bio-load, however I have always been dilligent with water Quality and have kept good levels. The only thing I have done differently is put a power head behind the reef. Could this be the cause? Have I upset his sleeping/hiding spot? Thanks for the help......Dave

[Pineapple House]

I would say it is either:

A) Cramped in such a small tank. How large is this tang?
B) Putting the power head, has done something to the tang is some way; too much current pushing it around, cannot rest.

I doubt that it is that he now has no place to sleep, tangs will find many places to go. Mine will sometimes even float belly up with the current :lol: I think he is dead, I try to net him out only to find that he swims away with a jolt into the rockwork :shock: I would put my guess in for too cramped, since it has seemed to do fairly well for quite some time.

PH =)