Tennenti Tang acting funny =( any Help?

MikeD88 · 10/15/2009, 06:21 PM

I added a Tennenti Tang on Tuesday, and he seems to be very shy. He mostly swims around behind the rock work. I've tried feeding cyclopeze, mysis, spirnula and nori. The only thing he seems to go for is the cyclopeze, but very scarcely. He stays behind the rock and when it blows to him he eats a little bit, but not much. Do you think he just needs a little more time to adapt to the tank? He looks and seems very healthy, but just seems to EXTREMELY shy. How long does it usually take for them to adapt and open up? Do you think its too early for me to start worrying? Any help is good, Thank You!

Gary Majchrzak · 10/15/2009, 06:24 PM

maybe it's a bashful fish!

how large is the fish? how large is the aquarium? what other fishes do you have? what are the water parameters? did you know there's a forum for upstate NY reefkeepers? (Somebody there might know more about that particular fish!)

Gary Majchrzak · 10/15/2009, 06:27 PM

here's a link to the URS Forum:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=117

Tennenti Tangs and Orange Shoulder Tangs naturally like to suck up detritus and diatoms from substrate.

MikeD88 · 10/15/2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

maybe it's a bashful fish!

how large is the fish? how large is the aquarium? what other fishes do you have? what are the water parameters? did you know there's a forum for upstate NY reefkeepers? (Somebody there might know more about that particular fish!)

He's small, about 2 1/2 inches. My tank is a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon sump/refugium. I have a tiny baby hippo tang, midas blenny, bangai cradinal, 2 clowns, and solorensis wrasse. My water parameters are spot on: nitrates ammonia and nitrites are 0, PH is 8.2, Calcium is 460, salinity 1.025, and temp is 76. I know about the forum, but wanted to get a wide range of opinions.

davocean · 10/15/2009, 06:46 PM

Tennenti's are one of my favs, had 2 now.
They are shy at first, but I'm sure it will come out soon.
Hopefully you have enough swim room.
They do eat diatoms, cyano, and both mine would follow me as I scraped tank for whatever film algae it could get.
Both mine seemed shy at first, and both shy to take nori, until they figure out what it is, and then they MOW through that stuff.
The cool thing is they seem pretty mellow as tangs go, yet they don't take any guff either.
VERY different in color from juvy to adult.
I would attach nori to a clip where it can soak, and where it can get to it.

MikeD88 · 10/15/2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

Tennenti's are one of my favs, had 2 now.
They are shy at first, but I'm sure it will come out soon.
Hopefully you have enough swim room.
They do eat diatoms, cyano, and both mine would follow me as I scraped tank for whatever film algae it could get.
Both mine seemed shy at first, and both shy to take nori, until they figure out what it is, and then they MOW through that stuff.
The cool thing is they seem pretty mellow as tangs go, yet they don't take any guff either.
VERY different in color from juvy to adult.
I would attach nori to a clip where it can soak, and where it can get to it.

Ok thanks man... How long did it take your so open up and eat fluently?

davocean · 10/15/2009, 06:50 PM

Here's my first one as a juvy (2.5")

And here's my 2nd one about 4.5"

davocean · 10/15/2009, 06:53 PM

Both took a few days to really come out, and both at least a week, maybe two to start eating nori.
My first one got so bold later he kinda got in my way while cleaning tank glass, and I had to be careful not to bump him w/ scraper.

MikeD88 · 10/15/2009, 07:28 PM

Very beautiful fish... Mine is closer to the 2nd but a little smaller. I really hope everything is ok with him, I think he just needs a little more time. Do yours tend to be rock dwellers anyway? Or are they open swimmers? Because mine seems like even with time that he will like to be within the rocks.

davocean · 10/15/2009, 07:33 PM

Most tangs like/need to swim, if not all.
Soon he'll be on a track.

MikeD88 · 10/15/2009, 07:42 PM

Ok, thanks for the encouragement man!

davocean · 10/15/2009, 07:46 PM

No prob.
BTW, I think these guys are seriously under rated, don't see many, but they are so pretty, great nature, and a serious workhorse on ridding algaes.

reefbro · 10/15/2009, 08:06 PM

Do yo have other fish in the tank? I ask because my powder brown was shy till i added more fish. now he's out front all the time.

tylorarm · 10/16/2009, 10:58 AM

Way underrated. Here's the one i had at 8" or so, RIP

BeanMachine · 10/16/2009, 11:43 AM

Nice shot. Beautiful fish. I'd like one.

Mental1 · 10/16/2009, 11:54 AM

I bought one full grown from another reefer and he was a menace! He dug holes all over my tank. His prior owner said he dug a hole in the sand behind the rockwork. I have a peninsula tank and it took him a couple of months to calm down and stop digging! But he is a big pig. I can't even feed my corals anymore because he takes the krill out of the coral! And he is fat. BUT OMG what a beautiful fish. He will eat out of my hand. Very active swimmer too. Love him but wanted to kill him initially. He started getting a little hlle so feed yours a good range of foods.

tylorarm · 10/16/2009, 02:10 PM

They get more colorful as they get older, and continue to work the rocks even when well fed. Aggressive eaters, hold their own with other fish, not belligerant, not timid.

Gary Majchrzak · 10/16/2009, 02:21 PM

grow much too large for a 75

10/15/2009, 06:21 PM	#1
MikeD88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 57	Tennenti Tang acting funny =( any Help? I added a Tennenti Tang on Tuesday, and he seems to be very shy. He mostly swims around behind the rock work. I've tried feeding cyclopeze, mysis, spirnula and nori. The only thing he seems to go for is the cyclopeze, but very scarcely. He stays behind the rock and when it blows to him he eats a little bit, but not much. Do you think he just needs a little more time to adapt to the tank? He looks and seems very healthy, but just seems to EXTREMELY shy. How long does it usually take for them to adapt and open up? Do you think its too early for me to start worrying? Any help is good, Thank You!

10/15/2009, 06:24 PM	#2
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	how do you know he's acting? maybe it's a bashful fish! how large is the fish? how large is the aquarium? what other fishes do you have? what are the water parameters? did you know there's a forum for upstate NY reefkeepers? (Somebody there might know more about that particular fish!) __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

10/15/2009, 06:27 PM	#3
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	here's a link to the URS Forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=117 Tennenti Tangs and Orange Shoulder Tangs naturally like to suck up detritus and diatoms from substrate. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

10/15/2009, 06:46 PM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Tennenti's are one of my favs, had 2 now. They are shy at first, but I'm sure it will come out soon. Hopefully you have enough swim room. They do eat diatoms, cyano, and both mine would follow me as I scraped tank for whatever film algae it could get. Both mine seemed shy at first, and both shy to take nori, until they figure out what it is, and then they MOW through that stuff. The cool thing is they seem pretty mellow as tangs go, yet they don't take any guff either. VERY different in color from juvy to adult. I would attach nori to a clip where it can soak, and where it can get to it. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/15/2009, 06:50 PM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Here's my first one as a juvy (2.5") And here's my 2nd one about 4.5" __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/15/2009, 06:53 PM	#8
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Both took a few days to really come out, and both at least a week, maybe two to start eating nori. My first one got so bold later he kinda got in my way while cleaning tank glass, and I had to be careful not to bump him w/ scraper. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/15/2009, 07:28 PM	#9
MikeD88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 57	Very beautiful fish... Mine is closer to the 2nd but a little smaller. I really hope everything is ok with him, I think he just needs a little more time. Do yours tend to be rock dwellers anyway? Or are they open swimmers? Because mine seems like even with time that he will like to be within the rocks.

10/15/2009, 07:33 PM	#10
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Most tangs like/need to swim, if not all. Soon he'll be on a track. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/15/2009, 07:42 PM	#11
MikeD88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 57	Ok, thanks for the encouragement man!

10/15/2009, 07:46 PM	#12
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	No prob. BTW, I think these guys are seriously under rated, don't see many, but they are so pretty, great nature, and a serious workhorse on ridding algaes. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/15/2009, 08:06 PM	#13
reefbro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: central arkansas Posts: 71	Do yo have other fish in the tank? I ask because my powder brown was shy till i added more fish. now he's out front all the time.

10/16/2009, 10:58 AM	#14
tylorarm Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 759	Way underrated. Here's the one i had at 8" or so, RIP

10/16/2009, 11:43 AM	#15
BeanMachine Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 11,200	Nice shot. Beautiful fish. I'd like one.

10/16/2009, 11:54 AM	#16
Mental1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,593	I bought one full grown from another reefer and he was a menace! He dug holes all over my tank. His prior owner said he dug a hole in the sand behind the rockwork. I have a peninsula tank and it took him a couple of months to calm down and stop digging! But he is a big pig. I can't even feed my corals anymore because he takes the krill out of the coral! And he is fat. BUT OMG what a beautiful fish. He will eat out of my hand. Very active swimmer too. Love him but wanted to kill him initially. He started getting a little hlle so feed yours a good range of foods. __________________ Sherri Current Tank Info: 400g - 65g DT and 180g peninsula DT both drop into basement. 5 tanks plus a QT in the basement.

10/16/2009, 02:10 PM	#17
tylorarm Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 759	They get more colorful as they get older, and continue to work the rocks even when well fed. Aggressive eaters, hold their own with other fish, not belligerant, not timid.

10/16/2009, 02:21 PM	#18
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	they also grow much too large for a 75 __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors