?Help Me Keep A Powder Blue Tang ALIVE?

[SoLiD]

OK Fellow Maastards. I've had my 156 Gallon Tank up for 1year and three months:applause:. In that time I've gone through 3 Powder Blue Tangs (all about 3"-3.5") with the longest one living about month and 2 living just 1 week:cry_smile:. Which is odd because just about every fish I have put in there is really thriving. Most of them have been with me for over a year. I consider the PBT the ultimate fish due to its stunning looks. Every time I see one in a full tank shot I am so amazed with the size that everyone has and it makes me want to try even harder to keep one that thrives in my tank. Everyone's PBT looks to be at least 5" with awesome coloration. I am in the works to set a Special Quarantine Tank to acclimate\quarantine and build up his\her appetite and immunities. Here Are Some of My Questions For you Fish Guys.

-Does Purchase size matter for a higher survival rate? Is it true the LARGER the fish the better?
-Should I go Sand-less and Rock-less, in other words completely bare in the QT?
-Should I use a UV sterilizer since I'm sure 2 have died from ich.
-Should I medicate them in the QT or pre-dip the fish?
-Should I use my Spare 45 Gallon tank or just convert my Spare Nano Cube 24 into the QT tank?
-How long should I leave him\her in the QT tank?
-Order Locally\In SA or use Mail Order?
-Should I get rid of my Dej. Sail fin Tang(6in) and Purple Tang(4.5") as they think that they own my tank since they have been in there for over a year?

Anybody can chime in but you guys with Powder Blue Tang Experience please let me know what you think.

[RayAllen]

I think the bigger the tang, the better. Larger tangs seem to kick ick a lot easier than juvis-medium size. My blue Hippo is right around 7" and has had ick twice do to stress from me moving the tank around etc.... And it always eats and recovers. Ive heard the Powders are a lot like Hippos when it comes to getting ick; basically you look at them the wrong way and they will get ick, lol. The sailfin and purple are going to be very aggressive towards any newcoming tang. Ive come to the conclusion that My large sailfin caused the death of my Yellow eye tang, Lasted only 3 days. Jason at Aquarium designs says that sailfins and purples are two of the most aggressive. So do the math on adding a powder to that crowd.........

[erikharrison]

David, I doubt it's your husbandry! Is it getting bullied possibly? I know you know what you are doing, so I would first guess that you have a bully in the bunch.

[RayAllen]

Id have a local store order you one. You never know how a fish will be treated through FedEx or UPS; especially a more fragile species.

[SoLiD]

David, I doubt it's your husbandry! Is it getting bullied possibly? I know you know what you are doing, so I would first guess that you have a bully in the bunch.

Oh yeah. My Purple Tang Beat one into Submission every time He poked his head out. For that reason alone I'd like to get rid of him. Even though he's really beautiful I want a PBT More than a PT. I guess the grass is always greener Huh.

[SoLiD]

I think the bigger the tang, the better. Larger tangs seem to kick ick a lot easier than juvis-medium size.

Good Stuff. Thanks Ray

[SoLiD]

Id have a local store order you one. You never know how a fish will be treated through FedEx or UPS; especially a more fragile species.

The only downside is my LFS in crow-pus wants $75 for a 3incher. That's where I bought the second one from. Maybe I can get Jason at Aquarium Designs to order me a 5incher or bigger.

[RayAllen]

You should see if they would let you use the pruple as a trade in. Small purples go for $75 here in SA easily.

[SoLiD]

My LFS is limp wristed if you get my drift. They don't do cool stuff like that. Maybe Jason at AD will do it for me??? Also the sad thing is that I trained both of my tangs to eat out of my hand. It's really cool to feel them tugging the nori out of your hand.

[erikharrison]

My LFS is limp wristed if you get my drift. They don't do cool stuff like that. Maybe Jason at AD will do it for me???


Jason should do that no problem. He has for me!

[SoLiD]

Please post some more feedback on these questions when ya'll get a chance.

-Does Purchase size matter for a higher survival rate? Is it true the LARGER the fish the better?
-Should I go Sand-less and Rock-less, in other words completely bare in the QT?
-Should I use a UV sterilizer since I'm sure 2 have died from ich.
-Should I medicate them in the QT or pre-dip the fish?
-Should I use my Spare 45 Gallon tank or just convert my Spare Nano Cube 24 into the QT tank?
-How long should I leave him\her in the QT tank?
-Order Locally\In SA or use Mail Order?
-Should I get rid of my Dej. Sail fin Tang(6in) and Purple Tang(4.5") as they think that they own my tank since they have been in there for over a year.

Thanks In Advance.

[Bill S]

OK, here are my suggestions - and yes, I've had a PBT for over a year:

Quarantine him in a bare-bottomed tank, as big as you have - I'd use the 45. You can set one up by taking some live rock and water from your existing tank.

A UV sterilizer can't hurt, but if you don't have one, I'm not sure it's necessary. You will likely go thru at least 1 cycle of Ich. Give him/her plenty of hiding places to sleep at night. Feed it often and well, with nori or some other greens available all or most of the time. If you have a supply of live brine or saltwater ghost shrimp, I'd try those as beginning foods. What you want to do is have him/her in the least stressful environment you can, with good water and a full belly. Keep it in the QT until it has been Ich-free for 3-4 weeks. When you introduce it into the big tank, rearrange some rock to put the other fish off-guard.

[Bill S]

Also, if there are any other tangs you want, it's a good time to introduce them all together. The others won't figure out which one to chase...

[SoLiD]

OK, here are my suggestions - and yes, I've had a PBT for over a year:

Quarantine him in a bare-bottomed tank, as big as you have - I'd use the 45. You can set one up by taking some live rock and water from your existing tank.

A UV sterilizer can't hurt, but if you don't have one, I'm not sure it's necessary. You will likely go thru at least 1 cycle of Ich. Give him/her plenty of hiding places to sleep at night. Feed it often and well, with nori or some other greens available all or most of the time. If you have a supply of live brine or saltwater ghost shrimp, I'd try those as beginning foods. What you want to do is have him/her in the least stressful environment you can, with good water and a full belly. Keep it in the QT until it has been Ich-free for 3-4 weeks. When you introduce it into the big tank, rearrange some rock to put the other fish off-guard.

Thanks Bill. Your advise is greatly appreciated. BTW What size was your PBT when you bought him? -David

[engwife36]

I would order one from someone like Drs Foster & Smith. The fish you buy from places like this don't get handled any different from the way your LFS gets them. On top of that, the fish only has to be acclimated once instead of twice. Once at the LFS then your house. If the LFS doesn't acclimate the fish properly ( and I know they're out there) it's chances of living are slime. I think Drs. Foster & Smith at least have a 14-day guarantee.

Just my 2 cents.....

[Bill S]

Mine was probably around 3". Fairly small. An absolutely STRIKING fish.

[SoLiD]

The fish you buy from places like this don't get handled any different from the way your LFS gets them. On top of that, the fish only has to be acclimated once instead of twice. Once at the LFS then your house.

Good point. I'd have paid at least a nickel. Don't sell yourself short. :wink_smile:

[reeferRob]

In my minimal experience (not all succuessful) with powders, I've found that once you acclimate it put it straight into your display and let it settle down, it IS going to get ick but that will go away when it feels comfortable and starts eating. Eating being the key, keep nori in the tank as often as you can if not constant but get it to eat. I would buy it AT LEAST as big as your biggest Tang but larger perfered. Keep the traffic down around the tank for a while. I have a 5" sailfin (the alpha) a 4" yellow, a 4" purple and my most recent poder brown.


my .02 worth too!


Rob

[SoLiD]

I have a 5" sailfin (the alpha) a 4" yellow, a 4" purple and my most recent powder brown.

my .02 worth too!

Rob

I have 2 big dominant Tangs also. I plan on trading them in for a Blonde Naso and a Powder Blue since they tend to be more peaceful fish.

[erikharrison]

Another thing, introduce the fish to the tank at night. Makes it less stressful...

[SoLiD]

Can a Powder Blue and Powder Brown Coexist in the same tank or will they fight since they look too similar?

[SoLiD]

Another thing, introduce the fish to the tank at night. Makes it less stressful...

Hmmm... Good Stuff. Thanks.

[ismvel]

Can a Powder Blue and Powder Brown Coexist in the same tank or will they fight since they look too similar?
I have heard that two tangs of the same family is not a wise move. But I have seen it done...and will more than likely do it myself...there are too many tangs out there that I "need" to have..but will probably settle on about 3 or so....maybe 4 in a 220.

Powder Blue
Achilles
Chevron
Blue Hippo

That being said, I saw this tank (I believe it was a 240) in KC, and he had about 14-16 tangs in it....a beautiful sight...Probably not "sane" advice, but it is what it is.....my tank and choice....so we'll see.

[Bill S]

I have 2 big dominant Tangs also. I plan on trading them in for a Blonde Naso and a Powder Blue since they tend to be more peaceful fish.

Hee, hee, hee... My powder blue dominates my tank, including the Sohol... :rofl:

[SoLiD]

My powder blue dominates my tank, including the Sohol... :rofl:

I thought Sohol's were supposed to be mean as hell. That is the reason I never considered getting that one.

[Richard]

Powder Blues can be one tough customer.

[Bill S]

What Richard said...

[alton]

I had a Powder Blue once and added a a Powder brown. The Blue shredded the Brown, and in a matter of seconds I had a dead powder brown laying on the bottom of my 135.

[Bill S]

Yeah, blues and browns are waaay too closely related.

[TexasTodd]

Richard didn't mention it, but he's told me before of turning the lights off and on 3-4x right after you introduce new fish....somehow gets them all use to each other faster.

Todd

[Bill S]

Yeah Todd, it's called the "Disco Effect". Like in the 80's, those Mirror Balls in the discos made men & women drink lots of alcohol, act goofy, and then go home together arm-in-arm. This methodology works particularly well when the exterior of the subject is "powder blue". As in a "powder blue leisure suit" or "powder blue tang".

[SoLiD]

Richard didn't mention it, but he's told me before of turning the lights off and on 3-4x right after you introduce new fish....somehow gets them all use to each other faster.

Todd

Great Stuff Todd\Richard. Thanks.

[SoLiD]

Yeah Todd, it's called the "Disco Effect". Like in the 80's, those Mirror Balls in the discos made men & women drink lots of alcohol, act goofy, and then go home together arm-in-arm. This methodology works particularly well when the exterior of the subject is "powder blue". As in a "powder blue leisure suit" or "powder blue tang".

I don't care who you are, that right there is funny. :rofl: