Problem feeding yellow tang

[malenky]

Hi everyone. Got a question...just got a medium yellow tang (couple inches) four days ago and he seems pretty happy. He is getting along great with the maroon clown, but there is a problem. He's still jumpy whenever I go to feed him, and the food (formula 2) just ends up floating around the bottom, and due to the current in my tank, it just floats usually somewhere unaccesible. He seems to be full, eating the seaweed usually when the lights are off, but I can't get him to eat the tablet when it is dropped in. I tried clipping the tablet too, but it just dissintegrates.Is it normal for Yellow tangs to be so jumpy, and should I be worried about his eating habits? Does anyone have good techniques for feeding this gorgeous fish?

Also...I was wondering, I have one 96w actinic and one 96w 10k. If I have my fish, LR, and possibly some anemones and corals, is it ever beneficial to switch the 10k to an actinic as well? Just wondering.

[crlkeep]

As far as getting the tang to eat the tablets, don't be too concerned that he isn't coming out to eat just yet. If he is eating at night, then he will most likely start to eat during the day after he becomes for secure with his new home. After 2 years, my tangs still run from me when I come up to the tank, but come out after a few seconds. It is a good thing that he can hide, as this will actually help him feel more secure.
The thing to look for is he grazing algae off the rock during the day yet? As long as he appears healthy, not pinched off at the waste, then just give him time to get used to his new surroundings. As far as getting him used to the tablets, I have now idea, I have never tried to feed pellets to my fish. Bad experience at work with tablets.

HTH

Chuck

[crlkeep]

Sorry I forgot about the lighting question.

I ran my 20 gallon anemone reef one 3 x 36 Watt PC actinic 03. No daylight bulbs for two years. 2 weeks ago I changed one bulb over to a 55 watt PC 10000K bulb, in preparation for an Acropora frag, and had the 10000K bulb available. I will switch it to an actinic one in a few weeks, as not to stress the nem out to much more. Not that he is stressed now. IMNO go for it if you like the blue look. Mostly a matter of taste.

Chuck

[malenky]

thanks for everything again. He is grazing on algae in the day, and even eating some of the clown's diet of mysis shrimp.

He loves the caves I built with the LR, and actually sleeps together usually with the clown.

WHat do you usually feed your tang? Just wondering since you didn't use the frozen tablets.

So there's nothing I lose with switching out the 10k? That's good. I do like the blue look much better. Much calmer.

[crlkeep]

The tangs eat flake food when I feed the tank, but don't seem to care for it a whole lot, they just graze all day and sleep all night.

[malenky]

so it's fine if they just graze? cool. still will feed though. keep em full.
thanks

[crlkeep]

If they will eat it all, then why not right.:D

Cheers m8

Chuck

[MJC]

Tangs usually take a bit of time to acclimate into their new enviornment. Once they do and are familiar with their surroundings they'll stay out in the open.

Your tang is not used to being in an enclosed enviornment with humans looking at them and walking about on the outside. Also, if you have a regular feeding spot your fish will go to that spot the next time they see you coming.

Tangs are grazers and not one time eaters.

[malenky]

All good stuff to know.
Thanks.:D

[MJC]

As a matter of fact, this generally applies to all livestock. Captive raised fish, on the other hand, are generally more curious (or naive) and will stay out in the open.

For example, not long ago I was buying some captive raised clownfish for a client. When I placed the net and container into the tank, the fish swam into it. It made selecting the fish I wanted that much easier, all I had to do was place the net and container near the ones I wanted, have them swim into it and scoop them up.

Feeding captive raised fish is easier too, before their stomach's become accustomed to certain foods found in the wild, they're fed a diet of prepared or dried food.