Powder Blue Tank Question

[rms7129]

I have had a powder blue in my reef tank for about 3 months now. Eats great, very active. This morning I noticed it's dorsal fin is staying extended. It looks like a tang when it is startled, but all the time. It ate as normal when I fed it tonight.

Any ideas? Is this a bad sign

Any input would be helpful.

 

[naesco]

You know the powder blue tang is a very difficult fish to keep alive.
It looks like it is stressed.
Look carefully for ich. It is best seen by looking lengthwise down the fish

 

[Entacmaea]

Welcome to the board!

A strong indicator of your powder blue emotional state is the color of its black face. The extended dorsal fin could be aggression or stress, or a whole host of things. If your tang's face is faded, like a pale gray, for an extended period of time, rather than deep black, I would start to look at what might be causing stress in your system... just curious, how large is your tank?

 

[rms7129]

My tank is a 58gallon. only have the tang and a maroon clown fish. rest is live rock and misc. corals. Did a 25% water change last night. See if some new H2o will help.

 

[Entacmaea]

Is this a 58 show? 36" long?

It is on the small size for a powder blue, depending on its size. A maroon clown can be pugnacious. I would go slow, whatever you do. If the dorsal fin is extended and the fish is agitated for a few days, then I would start to look into your system. I don't know how long it has been like this, but since (I am assuming here) you are at work all day and can't see if it is in this "startled" state all day, I would try to avoid drastic action. The water change is probably ok, maybe run some carbon, check salinity. Still eating well, right? Could be that it just got up on the wrong side of the rock that morning The fish is lucky to have such an attentive keeper!

Keep us posted...

 

[Anonymous]

Your tank is too small for the tang. As entacmea pointed out the maroon is a pretty mean fish. The extended fins are typically a display of agression. Just the size of the tank will create stress on the tang. Add the maroon and there will never be a environment conducive to health. I would suggest taking the tang back to the LFS.

 

[Entacmaea]

The tang police have spoken rms, I am afraid Steve is probably right...

But if you had ever wanted to buy the 180 gallon, now is the time!

 

[rms7129]

I really apprecite the feedback. I wierd thing is he/she has been in the tank for about 3-4 months with no problem. It and the Clown have a peaceful co-existance together.

Just got back from work and it is still the same. I have noticed what might be signs of ick. The system does have a UV filter. I guess I will try the garlic treatment in the food.

The issue with the return to the LFS is my wife is VERY attached to the fish and she will think this is like giving her child up for adoption...but is better than a dead fish.

Regards,
rms7129

 

[Anonymous]

A UV filter will only kill what passes through it. I am not real familiar with gadgets, so i can't speak to it very well, but if it hasn't been cleaned it probably isn't working to its full capacity. I know the flow throughone is as critical as the lamp because something going through fast won't be killed, but that could be a factor that is automatically controlled, i don't know. The fish will need to be given up eventuallt anyway as it will outgrow the confines of a tank that size. The PBT should be kept in a tank at least 6' long due to the way it behaves.

 

[MandarinFish]

No love for PBT's ever.

I have a 135 and got a couple from other reefers and they still didn't make it. Acclimated them over time, with oxygen, food, etc.

I haven't had any luck and won't try again until I get some that are captive raised, which supposedly exist but no one carries.

Good luck.

My recommendation - TONS of organic veggies.

 

[naesco]

The tang is too small for a powder blue. It will have a difficult time making it without the added stress of a small tank.
If she really has her heart set on a tang, the only one which can be kept in small tanks is a kole tank. They are cute, fun to watch and get really attached to you.
The LFS, who should not have sold you a powder blue in the first place should happily accept your return for full credit and buy a healthy kole from them. If not. Pass on that LFS forever.

 

[Anonymous]

i'm not a tang expert, but most saltwater fish should keep their fins partially open when they're happy.keeping them closed, or fully open all the time indicates stress.if they are fully open, my first guess is either behavioral(from the maroon?) or environmental(check your NO3, NO2, PO4, etc..)closed fins, and i'd check for cryptocaryon/oodinium, though this is not an exact rule, just what i've observed with fish behavior...open fins seem to usually indicate behavioral defense..luck

:wink: listen to the tang police.....

 

[rms7129]

All is back to normal. Dorsal fin is retracted and no signs of ick. Garlic worked like a charm. Back to eating like a pig.

I have no idea what caused the problem... Maybe the food was lased with Viagra... who knows.

Appreciate all the advice. This is great forum for un-biased opinions.

Thanks,
Russ :lol: