Royal Blue Tang Help!

[Paddlefoot]

I just recently added a beautiful Royal Blue Tang to my 20 gallon tank as a friend to my Clown Fish. She’s been fine for the past couple of weeks, but now she’s breathing hard, trying to swim and laying on the bottom. It looks like she has something like a “film” that you could peel off of her bottom half of her. I know it sounds weird, but is this possible? Is there anything I can do to help her?

 

[Oldreefer44]

So we would need to know your tanks water parameters, age of the system and some pictures. This fish is considered moderately difficult to keep and should be in a system many times the size of yours. Besides, IME, clowns don't have friends especially the fishy kind.

 

[Paddlefoot]

I’ve been reading some posts and I’m learning a lot. It’s hard to know who’s telling you the truth and who’s blowing smoke. It’s irritating and I’ve spent a lot of money for this “hobby” as many others have too, I’m sure. Anyway, I just recently had to purchase another aquarium because my last one developed a crack in the self-contained pumping system and I couldn’t fix it anymore. The new one I purchased also contains a skimmer to help keep the water cleaner. I’m beginning to think that the 2 hermit crabs may have brought ick with them, but the clown fish seems to be okay and the shell on the giant snail looks like it’s starting to “peel”.

 

[Dcloser12]

I'm wondering about oxygen levels. I don't see any wave makers. How are you breaking water tension to remove co2

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Always start with water parameters. It's possible for hermits to have ich on their shells, but it does not look like your tang is suffering from ich. I have seen tangs go down from low oxygen in tanks. Do you have a QT that you could move the fish to?

 

[Dcloser12]

That tank is Barren. No algae no pumps that I see. Just alot of brown dyno or cyano on the rock work. If the tang ate some it could be I'll. If the oxygen is low because no flow it would make sense. Either way we need a better view and some parameters.

 

[Paddlefoot]

I'm wondering about oxygen levels. I don't see any wave makers. How are you breaking water tension to remove co2

I’m sorry, there’s one in the upper right hand corner with two paddles, one pointed in different directions. Maybe they need to be further apart? I also added a teaspoon of Ich-x and turned the lights to the reef mode to help. Should I try the paddles too?

 

[JonezNReef]

Possible ammonia spike...looks like a new tank with little water volume. Adding a fish with a high metabolism will kill water quality.

I won’t go on about how the tank is too small for a fish like that but I would do some water changes before everything is effected

 

[Not an IT guy]

Parameters please

 

[Paddlefoot]

Always start with water parameters. It's possible for hermits to have ich on their shells, but it does not look like your tang is suffering from ich. I have seen tangs go down from low oxygen in tanks. Do you have a QT that you could move the fish to?

Unfortunately I don’t have a QT…I’ll check the “wave maker”.

 

[Paddlefoot]

Possible ammonia spike...looks like a new tank with little water volume. Adding a fish with a high metabolism will kill water quality.

I won’t go on about how the tank is too small for a fish like that but I would do some water changes before everything is effected

According to the aquarium specialists we go to, two fish like this are the max we should put in this 20 gallon tank. Unfortunately the tank is new, but the live rocks aren’t and neither are the clown fish or the snail. The Tang and the 2 hermit crabs are the only new things we added. The photos are disceving…it’s a nice size. It’s just empty. I’m new to saltwater (I have three freshwater tanks 55/40/20) I inherited it and don’t want to give in. Trying to learn. The water was changed last weekend. Does it need another water change already?

 

[Miami Reef]

According to the aquarium specialists we go to, two fish like this are the max we should put in this 20 gallon tank. Unfortunately the tank is new, but the live rocks aren’t and neither are the clown fish or the snail. The Tang and the 2 hermit crabs are the only new things we added. The photos are disceving…it’s a nice size. It’s just empty. I’m new to saltwater (I have three freshwater tanks 55/40/20) I inherited it and don’t want to give in. Trying to learn. The water was changed last weekend. Does it need another water change already?

Are you aware that blue tangs (royal tangs) get over a foot long and actually require a minimum 6 foot tall tank long term?

Currently the tank is fine, but this fish will grow out of it by this year.

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Unfortunately I don’t have a QT…I’ll check the “wave maker”.

Your tank is small, and so I doubt you'll be adding more fish. However, if you ever do get a bigger tank, where you can have far more fish, I would highly recommend getting a simple QT system. It doesn't have to be crazy, just something you can use for a sick fish. You always want to quarantine a fish, before it makes every other fish sick.

 

[Not an IT guy]

How new is new tank? How long has it been running? How did you cycle it?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Freshwater and saltwater are extremely different, your freshwater experience will not help you, the fish are likely doomed, not trying to be mean, just honest. I would suggest you stop and do a lot more research before adding more fish.

 

[gbroadbridge]

According to the aquarium specialists we go to, two fish like this are the max we should put in this 20 gallon tank. Unfortunately the tank is new, but the live rocks aren’t and neither are the clown fish or the snail. The Tang and the 2 hermit crabs are the only new things we added. The photos are disceving…it’s a nice size. It’s just empty. I’m new to saltwater (I have three freshwater tanks 55/40/20) I inherited it and don’t want to give in. Trying to learn. The water was changed last weekend. Does it need another water change already?

You need better advisors.

Minimum tank size for a blue tang is 75 gal, and even that is too small to keep a tang more than a year as he will outgrow it.

You should be doing a 10-20% water change every week.

Saltwater is very different to freshwater. There is a lot more work and cost involved.


Regards
Graham.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Better pictures and preferably a video of the tang are needed for it to be diagnosed. What you describe could be Brooklynella which is a parasite. It can kill quickly and will spread to your other fish.

 

[Karen00]

Did I miss where you posted your parameters? We need those. I can't quite tell by your pic but if it's a film and not spots then it's probably brooklynella. Can you get a closer pic and video and please post your parameters. I'm looping in @Jay Hemdal and @vetteguy53081

 

[Sebastiancrab]

I am not sure where you are located but if you can get hold of Copper Power or Cupramine asap I would just in case. I have also had success with Hydroplex killing the bugs in a 10 minute saltwater dip and then treat the fish with ongoing medication. Also, get an air pump with air stone. Medication always requires additional oxygen. Copper should not be used in your display tank. You may need a small hospital tank.

 

[flagg37]

Freshwater and saltwater are extremely different, your freshwater experience will not help you, the fish are likely doomed, not trying to be mean, just honest. I would suggest you stop and do a lot more research before adding more fish.

I agree, it doesn’t sound like the “aquarium specialist” is giving you good information.

You also haven’t responded with any test results for your water chemistry. Were looking for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in particular to make sure that your tank is cycled.