Tang, hiding in rocks.. HELP

mikemikemike · 07/17/2008, 08:33 AM

i purchased a hippo blue tang, and put it into my tank.... From what i reaserched, i know they like to hide in rocks... but this thing has been inside the rocks for 3 days now.... iknow its alive but it doesn't come out to eat... it just stays in one place... i have not turned on my lights because i don't want to freak it out.... i am worried my foxface is picking on it or something, and thats why it woun't come out... help please

firemancorbin · 07/17/2008, 08:36 AM

Give it time let him get adjusted to the tank!!

mikemikemike · 07/17/2008, 08:38 AM

how many days befor i should start to worry?

payyourtoll · 07/17/2008, 08:56 AM

make sure you have some nori or seaweed in a clip, he will come out eventually. also mine jumps in the rocks when I go up close to the tank, so try to stand out of sight

Tswifty · 07/17/2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemikemike
how many days befor i should start to worry?

2 weeks... he probably comes out when you're not in the room.

My PBT was the same way for a long time, he would hide anytime he noticed movement in the room. I basically had to bear crawl up to the tank to catch a glimpse of him. Now that he's settled in he's out in the open all the time, and even seems to taunt my cat fromt he other side of the galss.

I would just rubberband some nori to a rock, to make sure he has food available to him. Also it's probably safe to resume your normal lighting schedule.

mikemikemike · 07/17/2008, 09:11 AM

thanks for you help guys... i have seeweed on a clip, but my foxface is a pig he finishes it as soon as i put it in the tank

sassafrass · 07/17/2008, 09:13 AM

Try putting some nori in the tank on a clip near his hiding place move slowly when near the tank if you see the nori being eaten then you know it will be ok. Did you see the tang eat before you purchased it? Always a good idea as well as closely observing the fish for rapid or heavy breathing, making sure it's skin is smooth and blemish free , that it's flesh is full in the "shoulders" and it's belly is not sunken or bloated ,is it curious about it's surroundings? These are some of the things to check before purchase of any fish. You might get away with 1 thing being wrong but with more than 1 you are probably buying a fish that is going to die no matter what you do
Lee

Tswifty · 07/17/2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikemikemike
thanks for you help guys... i have seeweed on a clip, but my foxface is a pig he finishes it as soon as i put it in the tank

QT may be a good decision then.

Besides having the opportunity to observe the fish for diseases, it is a great place to allow the fish to become comfortable with his surroundings, and make sure he is eating regularly before adding him to your display.

mikemikemike · 07/17/2008, 09:47 AM

i don't a have a QT... i bought the fish from a reputable shop. he looked great when a bought him, and he was eating like crazy at the shop.... when i first put him in my tank, the blue on him turned a little pail, like a baby blue... but he is back to his normal color now.... i am just going to wait a bit and see if he starts eating

Fish_wiz2 · 07/17/2008, 10:37 AM

Mine was like that for a few days and now has a huge tummy and is active more than ever

but does run back to cover if startled, and the light color is because he is resting, mine wakes up like that then the color will darken

tmz · 07/17/2008, 10:45 AM

Paracanthurus heppatus(hippo tangs) tend to be a bit reclusive especially when new. Mine still hangs behind the rocks after 6 years in my tank. It comes out for a swim now and then and always at feeding. Try some frozen food(mysis,brine). I wouldn't worry unless it won't eat after a few days. Now matter how good the fish looks or how reputable the lfs, qt is a critical part of introducing new specimens as is a solid acclimation proceedure.

07/17/2008, 08:33 AM	#1
mikemikemike Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: mississauga/ON Posts: 17	Tang, hiding in rocks.. HELP i purchased a hippo blue tang, and put it into my tank.... From what i reaserched, i know they like to hide in rocks... but this thing has been inside the rocks for 3 days now.... iknow its alive but it doesn't come out to eat... it just stays in one place... i have not turned on my lights because i don't want to freak it out.... i am worried my foxface is picking on it or something, and thats why it woun't come out... help please

07/17/2008, 08:36 AM	#2
firemancorbin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 121	Give it time let him get adjusted to the tank!! __________________ Who needs friends when you have anemones? BUDDY. Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef Ready w/ Porcipine Puffer.30gallon Sump with Refugium.

07/17/2008, 10:37 AM	#10
Fish_wiz2 Mangroves are kool. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,246	Mine was like that for a few days and now has a huge tummy and is active more than ever but does run back to cover if startled, and the light color is because he is resting, mine wakes up like that then the color will darken __________________ -The Wiz Current Tank Info: Elos Mini Seahorse Tank, 2500 gallon Koi pond

07/17/2008, 10:45 AM	#11
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Paracanthurus heppatus(hippo tangs) tend to be a bit reclusive especially when new. Mine still hangs behind the rocks after 6 years in my tank. It comes out for a swim now and then and always at feeding. Try some frozen food(mysis,brine). I wouldn't worry unless it won't eat after a few days. Now matter how good the fish looks or how reputable the lfs, qt is a critical part of introducing new specimens as is a solid acclimation proceedure. __________________ 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.

07/17/2008, 08:38 AM	#3
mikemikemike Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: mississauga/ON Posts: 17	how many days befor i should start to worry?

07/17/2008, 08:56 AM	#4
payyourtoll Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Port Richey Posts: 666	make sure you have some nori or seaweed in a clip, he will come out eventually. also mine jumps in the rocks when I go up close to the tank, so try to stand out of sight

07/17/2008, 09:11 AM	#6
mikemikemike Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: mississauga/ON Posts: 17	thanks for you help guys... i have seeweed on a clip, but my foxface is a pig he finishes it as soon as i put it in the tank

07/17/2008, 09:13 AM	#7
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	Try putting some nori in the tank on a clip near his hiding place move slowly when near the tank if you see the nori being eaten then you know it will be ok. Did you see the tang eat before you purchased it? Always a good idea as well as closely observing the fish for rapid or heavy breathing, making sure it's skin is smooth and blemish free , that it's flesh is full in the "shoulders" and it's belly is not sunken or bloated ,is it curious about it's surroundings? These are some of the things to check before purchase of any fish. You might get away with 1 thing being wrong but with more than 1 you are probably buying a fish that is going to die no matter what you do Lee

07/17/2008, 09:47 AM	#9
mikemikemike Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: mississauga/ON Posts: 17	i don't a have a QT... i bought the fish from a reputable shop. he looked great when a bought him, and he was eating like crazy at the shop.... when i first put him in my tank, the blue on him turned a little pail, like a baby blue... but he is back to his normal color now.... i am just going to wait a bit and see if he starts eating