Purchased a Kole Tang yesterday

Jay1982 · 07/12/2008, 12:39 PM

He was doing great at the LFS, and still is looking good and doig great in my QT. I read that tangs are very prone too all kinds of diseases and stuff and they are very good carriers, and don't do well with copper treatments as well as other meds. IF *knock on wood* something were to come down that hypo couldn't fix. Would using meds on this tang still be alright. Should I put him through hypo just to be safe, I don't like doing "curing" a fish that doesn't have a disease to begin with. But I don't want this fish to carry ich or any type of disease with him for 6 weeks, just to have him infect my DT as soon as he gets there.

abulgin · 07/12/2008, 01:04 PM

If you keep the fish in QT for 6 weeks and it shows no signs of anything, it's a pretty safe bet that it's fine. You shouldn't use copper on tangs, as it destroys the fauna in their digestive system. Hypo or multiple formalin dips are better.

Generally speaking, Kole Tangs are pretty "clean" fish unlike their cousins. They do not generally do well in QT, and many advocate for giving it a freshwater dip (with or without formalin) and throwing it in the display. That's what I did with mine, and it was fine. I know many will yell at me for telling you this, but . . .

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/koletang.htm

See "Kole Disease"

Jay1982 · 07/12/2008, 03:37 PM

thanks for the link. I read it through and through. While I'm excited at the possibility of skipping the QT process. The aquarium I purchased him from had a sick angel infected with ich. I took the Kole because 1) he looked really healthy, and 2) he was in better shape than any Kole Tang I've seen since I've been looking. Now. Maybe if I cut down on the QT period, if by 2 weeks I don't see any changes in behavior or symptoms, then I'll assume he's ok to go. I'm considering this because Wetwebmedia is usually a very good source on fish, and the advice I've seen YOU give has also been sound. I'd like a follow up opinion though on if I should still skip since a tankmate at the LFS had ich

Earl111 · 07/12/2008, 03:52 PM

Be safe and wait it out. If he has ick it can sometimes not show up in a week or two. You'll regret it if he does and affects you other fish. He'll be fine in qt just give him some pvc or something to hide in so he feels secure. Mine was exremely shy for the first two weeks or so and would dart away and hide as soon as i came into the room

otrlynn · 07/12/2008, 04:00 PM

There are few "right" answers in this hobby and I will give you another point of view. I purchased a Kole tang that looked good in the store. He spent 2 weeks in my QT and continued to look good, though he wasn't eating a lot. I cut the QT short and put him in my display, thinking he'd do better with rock to pick on. 10-12 days after I put him in the DT, he came down with ich. I believe he was the carrier, since I had QT'd all previous fish. Anyway I had to take ALL the fish out of the DT and put them in a hospital tank. The tang and all others survived 5 weeks of hypo and I'll be putting them back in the DT when the DT has been fallow for 8 weeks. IMO, rushing the QT process is not worth it.

abulgin · 07/12/2008, 04:01 PM

I agree, if he was in a tank with an infected fish, there's a good possibility that he is likewise infected.

Jay1982 · 07/12/2008, 04:05 PM

Thanks guys. I figured when I picked him up that I'd run the risk knowing his tankmate was sick. But I'll wait out the QT and hopefully its uneventful

tmz · 07/12/2008, 08:33 PM

I have treated tangs with copper without ill effect. Not exactly sure where the notion that Tangs are particularly sensitive to copper originates.

jjmcat · 07/12/2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tmz
I have treated tangs with copper without ill effect. Not exactly sure where the notion that Tangs are particularly sensitive to copper originates.

Same here.I just treated mine with copper.

Jay1982 · 07/16/2008, 11:55 AM

I dunno, thats what I read everywhere, appreantly its because the copper treatment effects one of their internal organs (I can't remember which) more so than in other fish.

HumanIMDB · 07/16/2008, 01:08 PM

Any pics? We're looking at one for our AGA92 but probably not until early next year...

Allanira · 07/16/2008, 01:15 PM

Copper affects the fauna/bacteria they ahve in their stomachs for processing the algae they eat. Its the same thing with cattle, and ruminents (sheep/goats) if you kill of the bacteria in there then the fish will die from the inside out cause they cant process the food anymore. Thats why they dont use anything that has copper on it that cattle can eat. Even the feed that they are fed cant be on copper just incase some fo the copper comes off on the feed.

Jay1982 · 07/16/2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HumanIMDB
Any pics? We're looking at one for our AGA92 but probably not until early next year...

He's doing great, grazing within my QT, but he's super timid. When I walk into the room he goes into hiding, it takes me to put some sun glasses on so he can't see my eyes in order to come out, lol. Its like I'm not even there if I'm wearing them. I'll try to snap a pic of him, even though my phone takes horrid pictures

nauticac4 · 07/16/2008, 02:47 PM

IMHO Kole tang will stay timid. Mine has a convict and a yellow tank for a buddy (they all hang together) when he is with them I can walk up to the tank and take a look but if i get right up to the glass he bolts for the rock. Even when they get used to people being around they still are skitish (sp?)

Earl111 · 07/16/2008, 02:51 PM

mine was like that for the first month or so, they get used to you!

tmz · 07/16/2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Allanira
Copper affects the fauna/bacteria they ahve in their stomachs for processing the algae they eat. Its the same thing with cattle, and ruminents (sheep/goats) if you kill of the bacteria in there then the fish will die from the inside out cause they cant process the food anymore. Thats why they dont use anything that has copper on it that cattle can eat. Even the feed that they are fed cant be on copper just incase some fo the copper comes off on the feed.

Do you have a reference I can look at re: tangs and copper ;not cattle;or is this supposition because they are predominantly herbivores?

tmz · 07/16/2008, 08:03 PM

I would not use hypo prophylactically since a long expsoure to low sg will stress the fish particularly if it is right on the border or over it of 1.009, the internal ag of the fish. I also think from my own observations that the hypo is not alway effective agaisnst crytocaryon irritans and can simply delay it. Hypo won't help amyloodinium(velvet ) or brooklynella either.In my opinion. it is very important tocomp;eter at least 4 weks of symptom free qt and no less. Sometimes various disease can take a month to manifiest. I would ,personally, use a formalin bath prophylacticaly.

Jay1982 · 07/16/2008, 08:47 PM

I can't find a place that sells formalin in Canada...I'm searching online and its impossible

HumanIMDB · 07/16/2008, 09:45 PM

Jay1982, here you go - http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCata...Type=0&offset=

Jay1982 · 07/17/2008, 12:17 AM

Thanks, I completely forgot about big al's

07/12/2008, 12:39 PM	#1
Jay1982 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Doc Brown's Mansion Posts: 704	Purchased a Kole Tang yesterday He was doing great at the LFS, and still is looking good and doig great in my QT. I read that tangs are very prone too all kinds of diseases and stuff and they are very good carriers, and don't do well with copper treatments as well as other meds. IF knock on wood something were to come down that hypo couldn't fix. Would using meds on this tang still be alright. Should I put him through hypo just to be safe, I don't like doing "curing" a fish that doesn't have a disease to begin with. But I don't want this fish to carry ich or any type of disease with him for 6 weeks, just to have him infect my DT as soon as he gets there.

07/12/2008, 03:37 PM	#3
Jay1982 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Doc Brown's Mansion Posts: 704	thanks for the link. I read it through and through. While I'm excited at the possibility of skipping the QT process. The aquarium I purchased him from had a sick angel infected with ich. I took the Kole because 1) he looked really healthy, and 2) he was in better shape than any Kole Tang I've seen since I've been looking. Now. Maybe if I cut down on the QT period, if by 2 weeks I don't see any changes in behavior or symptoms, then I'll assume he's ok to go. I'm considering this because Wetwebmedia is usually a very good source on fish, and the advice I've seen YOU give has also been sound. I'd like a follow up opinion though on if I should still skip since a tankmate at the LFS had ich __________________ 1.21 Gigawatts?! 1.21 Gigawatts!?! Current Tank Info: 135 reef tank, 50 gallon turtle aquarium, 1.21 Gigawatts?!

07/12/2008, 04:00 PM	#5
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	There are few "right" answers in this hobby and I will give you another point of view. I purchased a Kole tang that looked good in the store. He spent 2 weeks in my QT and continued to look good, though he wasn't eating a lot. I cut the QT short and put him in my display, thinking he'd do better with rock to pick on. 10-12 days after I put him in the DT, he came down with ich. I believe he was the carrier, since I had QT'd all previous fish. Anyway I had to take ALL the fish out of the DT and put them in a hospital tank. The tang and all others survived 5 weeks of hypo and I'll be putting them back in the DT when the DT has been fallow for 8 weeks. IMO, rushing the QT process is not worth it. __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

07/12/2008, 04:05 PM	#7
Jay1982 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Doc Brown's Mansion Posts: 704	Thanks guys. I figured when I picked him up that I'd run the risk knowing his tankmate was sick. But I'll wait out the QT and hopefully its uneventful __________________ 1.21 Gigawatts?! 1.21 Gigawatts!?! Current Tank Info: 135 reef tank, 50 gallon turtle aquarium, 1.21 Gigawatts?!

07/12/2008, 08:33 PM	#8
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I have treated tangs with copper without ill effect. Not exactly sure where the notion that Tangs are particularly sensitive to copper originates. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

07/12/2008, 01:04 PM	#2
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	If you keep the fish in QT for 6 weeks and it shows no signs of anything, it's a pretty safe bet that it's fine. You shouldn't use copper on tangs, as it destroys the fauna in their digestive system. Hypo or multiple formalin dips are better. Generally speaking, Kole Tangs are pretty "clean" fish unlike their cousins. They do not generally do well in QT, and many advocate for giving it a freshwater dip (with or without formalin) and throwing it in the display. That's what I did with mine, and it was fine. I know many will yell at me for telling you this, but . . . http://www.wetwebmedia.com/koletang.htm See "Kole Disease"

07/12/2008, 03:52 PM	#4
Earl111 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 728	Be safe and wait it out. If he has ick it can sometimes not show up in a week or two. You'll regret it if he does and affects you other fish. He'll be fine in qt just give him some pvc or something to hide in so he feels secure. Mine was exremely shy for the first two weeks or so and would dart away and hide as soon as i came into the room

07/12/2008, 04:01 PM	#6
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	I agree, if he was in a tank with an infected fish, there's a good possibility that he is likewise infected.

07/16/2008, 11:55 AM	#10
Jay1982 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Doc Brown's Mansion Posts: 704	I dunno, thats what I read everywhere, appreantly its because the copper treatment effects one of their internal organs (I can't remember which) more so than in other fish. __________________ 1.21 Gigawatts?! 1.21 Gigawatts!?! Current Tank Info: 135 reef tank, 50 gallon turtle aquarium, 1.21 Gigawatts?!

07/16/2008, 01:08 PM	#11
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Any pics? We're looking at one for our AGA92 but probably not until early next year... __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

07/16/2008, 01:15 PM	#12
Allanira Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 293	Copper affects the fauna/bacteria they ahve in their stomachs for processing the algae they eat. Its the same thing with cattle, and ruminents (sheep/goats) if you kill of the bacteria in there then the fish will die from the inside out cause they cant process the food anymore. Thats why they dont use anything that has copper on it that cattle can eat. Even the feed that they are fed cant be on copper just incase some fo the copper comes off on the feed. __________________ "Why me?" Because I think God has a sense of humor. Current Tank Info: 55 gal fresh, and 55 gal salt with a 55 gallon sump 75 lb LR, live sand, 2 koralia 3s, 2 koralia 2s, 2 maroon clown, 1 green chromis, 1 firefish, 1 starry blenny, 2 red legged hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails, 1 cleaner shrimp

07/16/2008, 02:47 PM	#14
nauticac4 Baby Fish Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,237	IMHO Kole tang will stay timid. Mine has a convict and a yellow tank for a buddy (they all hang together) when he is with them I can walk up to the tank and take a look but if i get right up to the glass he bolts for the rock. Even when they get used to people being around they still are skitish (sp?) __________________ Put Wings on it and Let it Fly!!! PBITAWA !!! Current Tank Info: 180 Cube 3x3x3. 29Gallon Sump 20 Gallon Fuge (1) Lumenarc Reflector w. 250W ARO Ballast and - Modded GS1 Skimmer - Eheim 1262 Return - Vortech MP40W and Swirler Stein

07/16/2008, 02:51 PM	#15
Earl111 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 728	mine was like that for the first month or so, they get used to you!

07/16/2008, 08:03 PM	#17
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I would not use hypo prophylactically since a long expsoure to low sg will stress the fish particularly if it is right on the border or over it of 1.009, the internal ag of the fish. I also think from my own observations that the hypo is not alway effective agaisnst crytocaryon irritans and can simply delay it. Hypo won't help amyloodinium(velvet ) or brooklynella either.In my opinion. it is very important tocomp;eter at least 4 weks of symptom free qt and no less. Sometimes various disease can take a month to manifiest. I would ,personally, use a formalin bath prophylacticaly. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

07/16/2008, 08:47 PM	#18
Jay1982 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Doc Brown's Mansion Posts: 704	I can't find a place that sells formalin in Canada...I'm searching online and its impossible __________________ 1.21 Gigawatts?! 1.21 Gigawatts!?! Current Tank Info: 135 reef tank, 50 gallon turtle aquarium, 1.21 Gigawatts?!

07/16/2008, 09:45 PM	#19
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Jay1982, here you go - http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCata...Type=0&offset= __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

07/17/2008, 12:17 AM	#20
Jay1982 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Doc Brown's Mansion Posts: 704	Thanks, I completely forgot about big al's __________________ 1.21 Gigawatts?! 1.21 Gigawatts!?! Current Tank Info: 135 reef tank, 50 gallon turtle aquarium, 1.21 Gigawatts?!