sailfin tang wont eat

wayner

wayner

Member
Bought my sailfin tang 6 days ago and i cant get him to eat, I even tried spot feeding him mysis srimp. Hes gunna die im guessing ? :-(
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
did you give him algae sheets on a clip or tied to a rock and sunk in the tank?
 
wayner

wayner

Member
i put a peice of algae in there but he didnt go for it, i didnt clip it tho, I will try that tomaro when hes awake. Thanks
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I thought I responded to this, but I guess it didn't save.
Try these things:
Use a clip with a algae sheet on it
Tie an algae sheet to a piece of rock (or hard object that won't harm the tank) using a rubberband. This makes the algae appear to be growing like it would naturally and can entice a finicky eater.
Try holding the algae sheet in the water and as it soaks up the water, start rubbing it between your fingers. This will break it up and make it look like flake food. It will work best if you do it in front of a powerhead or your return pump. This is the only way my Purple Tang will eat algae and I've used this method on a few tangs to get them used to eating algae sheets.
IMHO, your tank really isn't suited for a tang. You really don't have enough live rock for them to graze on.
 
wayner

wayner

Member
I have been buying LR, I still do need some more. All I have is a blue hippo, and 2 clown fish, nassarius snails and a fighting conch. I want something colorful.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I honestly don't even remember the size of your tank anymore, is it even large enough for two tangs? I know you like to push the envelope, but in small tanks, they can fight, and your hippo may have killed you sailfin.
 
wayner

wayner

Member
I have a 75 galon. No my hippo never even once came close to the sailfin. That was my first thought as well. but ALL my fish gave the sailfin alot of space.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but it may just have been the fish. Sailfin's are usually one of the more hardy tangs. How big was it? Were you able to try any of the methods I suggested to get it to eat or did it die too quickly?
 
wayner

wayner

Member
nope didnt get a chance, I woke up, took a peek, he seemed to still be moving about fine. Came home from college, was going to do what you suggested but he was already dead. I dont think he would of ate the age sheets tbh. He wasent intrested in any type of food I put in there.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Did you buy your fish on line or at a local fish store? If on line ask if it is eating, if at a local fish store tell the salesperson you want to see it eating this is paramount in buying a fish
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
You shouldn't feel dumb. It's pretty common for people to ask to see the fish feed before purchasing them. I'm sure they are used to being asked that question on a daily basis. And if they try to give you some excuse of why they won't or why the fish won't eat then don't buy it.
 
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