Orange shoulder tang needs a weight gain program

[Acro maniac]

I have had this OS Tang for about 6 weeks. I purchased him/ her on the thin side and thought I could bulk him up with with some meaty foods and nori. Here's where the problem lies.
I usually feed Rods or LRS herbivore and mysis frozen or live. Then about 3in Sq of nori on a piece of dried coral.
Nori cut in strips so it waves with the flow of water and the fish don't tear off one big piece. Anyway, from day one he didn't touch the nori or the rods/LRS and only would eat mysis. Now I've got him to eat some of the meaty foods if it's mixed with a frozen cube of mysis but usually chews half the piece and spits the rest out sometimes coming back for it if it's suspended.
Now after 6 weeks and no weight gained what can I do to bulk him up? Or am I doing all I can? Also I dipped nori in garlic to try to entice eating but I think my bicolor blenny is eating it instead. There's also small tufts of HA here and there that are untouched. But seems to sift through the small pile of detritus on one side of a rock.
What are my options?

 

[Acro maniac]

Here's a pic of him

 

[Elegance Coral]

Quarantine with prozipro. If that's not possible, soak food in prozipro.

 

[Acro maniac]

Thanks for the responses I'll look it up as I'm not firmiliar with it.

 

[RyanSweet]

Dr G's medicated foods. If he's eating and not gaining weight he may have parasites.

 

[Elegance Coral]

Dr. G's is medicated with Chloroquine phosphate. This may not be effective against internal worms.

 

[Acro maniac]

Quarantine with prozipro. If that's not possible, soak food in prozipro.

I defrost food in a 1 Oz cup with tank water. Are you saying to use prozipro to defrost then strain before feeding?

 

[Elegance Coral]

That should work. Many people will simply treat the whole tank and consider it to be "reef safe".
I would suggest doing a little reading up on it before use. (as you suggested you were going to)

 

[Acro maniac]

That should work. Many people will simply treat the whole tank and consider it to be "reef safe".
I would suggest doing a little reading up on it before use. (as you suggested you were going to)

Thanks will do

 

[eatbreakfast]

Prazipro is reef safe except for decorative worms.

Dr. G's has a few different types of medicated foods. One of which is a dewormer.

Metrozidinol can be more effective with some internal parasites than prazi.

 

[Acro maniac]

Quarantine with prozipro. If that's not possible, soak food in prozipro.

I tried the soaking method and the result was every piece of food was spit out. I'm not sure that any food was actually ingested. Is it possible that enough of the medication that was on the food could get in to the fishes system. Or should I treat the tank?

 

[Elegance Coral]

It's possible, but you're running against the clock. I would treat the tank.
Does he show any signs of gaining weight?

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree if not gaining weight parasites are likely at play.

Also, live blackworms and red nori are likely to encourage more eating

 

[Acro maniac]

I agree if not gaining weight parasites are likely at play.

Also, live blackworms and red nori are likely to encourage more eating

No problem eating meaty foods, just weight gain. I'll try the red nori cause he won't touch regular nori

 

[4FordFamily]

No problem eating meaty foods, just weight gain. I'll try the red nori cause he won't touch regular nori

Blackworms are more oily should help weight gain as well. Red nori is my go to

 

[Acro maniac]

It's possible, but you're running against the clock. I would treat the tank.
Does he show any signs of gaining weight?

No signs of weight gain although very active and eating well.
I will treated the tank in the morning

 

[technojunky101]

Garlic soaked in food but try blood worms my tangs go crazy when feed them

 

[Elegance Coral]

If he does have internal parasites, and I believe that he does, he will stop eating if not cured in time. It's next to impossible to bring them back after they've stopped eating. You're running out of time.
Good luck
EC

 

[4FordFamily]

If he does have internal parasites, and I believe that he does, he will stop eating if not cured in time. It's next to impossible to bring them back after they've stopped eating. You're running out of time.
Good luck
EC

Agree

 

[Acro maniac]

If he does have internal parasites, and I believe that he does, he will stop eating if not cured in time. It's next to impossible to bring them back after they've stopped eating. You're running out of time.
Good luck
EC

W/C this morning and then dosed the prazipro. Hopefully