?Help Me Keep A Powder Blue Tang ALIVE?

[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.

[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...