Naso Tang Feeding

[Alejandro1]

Hi,
I just purchased a medium sized naso tang. He isn’t really eating as much as I would expect. He doesn’t eat green seaweed, doesn’t pay much attention to frozen formula 1, and will feed on brine slowly. He did devour the very little green hair algae that the tank had. Ive read that they like brown algae. I also tried emerald entree. Any suggestions? Is he still settling in. Ive had him for 2 days. He seems to be content with tankmates( a pair of cardinal, clown, stars).

 

[MediaOne]

Hi Alejandro,

hopefully the story about me and my little blonde naso tang will help you in caring for yours.

When I got mine he was about 2", and at that size they are not prone to eating much. In fact I was having trouble getting him to eat anything but brine shrimp. Now, he eats like a PIG! You want to get your Naso tang on to the brown algae as soon as possible, because he derives a lot of what he really needs to survive out of it. Later, start adding in some red and green nori for diversification. I don't think anyone will be able to take his brine shrimp appetite away, so get some vitamins (Kent Zoe or Selcon) and fortify that otherwize not very nutritious food. Another very healthy food is Mysis shrimp, my Blonde Naso seems to like it and I'm sure yours will with time also. This fish is a herbivore though, so the majority of his diet should be nori.

As for his mental needs, give him lots of room and keep a strong current in the tank. These fish live to swim in the ocean currents and will really appreciate it.

If he gives you episodes where he doesn't want to feed very much, try to keep the food density quite high in the tank. This can provoke their feeding, it's hard to sustain because of the effects on water quality however.

Hope that helps!

 

[naesco]

I would add to good advice Media One gave you. t
I would suggest you go to the health food store and buy some garlic extract which you put on some dry food. Let it soeak in for about 20 minutes and than put the soaked food in a current near where the tang is situate.
Often garlic acts as an attractant to fish which are slow to eat.
The garlic will also act as an ich preventative.