Smaller PBT hard to keep?

[Aparker2005]

Hey everyone. We've got a 125 mixed reef. Parameters all in good numbers, hardly ever lose a fish.

We had a large PBT 2 years ago that was incredible. Boss of the tank. We eventually had to get rid of it as we couldn't add any other fish without it killing them.

Fast forward 2 years and my wife wants another one as they're her favorite fish, so we went with a juvenile. It did good for a month, and then died. It was eating well, and then I found it hiding in the rocks. It stayed there for 2 or 3 days, completely would freak out randomly, and obviously stopped eating.

We got another one a week ago, another smaller one (2.5-3" or so). It's been doing fine and eating well.

Came home today and it's in the same rock work, spazzing out just like the other one did.

Is this just a case of juvie pbt are difficult? Should we try for a larger one instead?

The only tank mates that ever show any aggression to new fish are our fox face, and majestic angel, but it's only during feedings, and hardly any aggression. More just establishing dominance.

I can't decide if we got lucky with our adult first time, or what. Corals and other fish/inverts are all doing well.

Any ideas?

 

[AetherealKnight]

What do you mean by spazzing out?

 

[Aparker2005]

What do you mean by spazzing out?

Randomly just will dart and swim as fast as it can and crash into rocks. Obviously will be breathing heavy when it does this

 

[AetherealKnight]

Ah ok. Hmm ime powder blue tangs usually are pretty confident and outgoing. Not sure if those are the right words to describe them?

But I also recently got a new PBT (2in) and he pretty much acted normal immediately when I put him in my display tank (swimming and grazing) but I suggest you give him a couple of days to calm down.

 

[Aparker2005]

It's currently wedged itself in the rocks

 

[dedragon]

spazzing out and hitting into rocks usually indicates external parasites

 

[AetherealKnight]

It's currently wedged itself in the rocks

Well that means its currently hiding, just give him time.

 

[AetherealKnight]

spazzing out and hitting into rocks usually indicates external parasites

Hmm maybe?

 

[AetherealKnight]

spazzing out and hitting into rocks usually indicates external parasites

Was the powder blue tangs quarantined?

 

[Aparker2005]

Was the powder blue tangs quarantined?

Not this time. They got stuck in transit for a day and I was more nervous about stressing them even more so I just put this one in the tank.

 

[Aparker2005]

Not this time. They got stuck in transit for a day and I was more nervous about stressing them even more so I just put this one in the tank.

Actually I didn't Qt any of the 3 pbt we've had. Bad practice I know

 

[AetherealKnight]

Actually I didn't Qt any of the 3 pbt we've had. Bad practice I know

Where did you get them from?

 

[Aparker2005]

Where did you get them from?

First one we got from Divers den. It was probably 5" when we got it and it did fantastic.

These last 2 were from NY Aquatic

 

[Jekyl]

Randomly just will dart and swim as fast as it can and crash into rocks. Obviously will be breathing heavy when it does this

Sounds like flukes or aggression

 

[Jekyl]

Actually I didn't Qt any of the 3 pbt we've had. Bad practice I know

The problem is that if these fish had issues, it's now in your tank.

 

[Aparker2005]

I just caught it and moved it to the Qt tank. I was sitting on the couch and heard water splashing more than normal looked and it was swimming straight up then crashing into the glass. I figure it's a goner already

 

[AetherealKnight]

First one we got from Divers den. It was probably 5" when we got it and it did fantastic.

These last 2 were from NY Aquatic

Wow those are cheap powder blue tangs and the shipping is cheap as well! Anyways it says on their website that they don’t quarantine, so it’s possible he may have something, as others have said.

 

[AetherealKnight]

I just caught it and moved it to the Qt tank. I was sitting on the couch and heard water splashing more than normal looked and it was swimming straight up then crashing into the glass. I figure it's a goner already

Unfortunately you may have potentially introduced a disease into your DT if it had one.

 

[Aparker2005]

Unfortunately you may have potentially introduced a disease into your DT if it had one.

Yeah I knew the risk. Hopefully nothing happens. Everyone else is acting perfectly normal.

 

[Jekyl]

Here is what I'd recommend to ensure you don't ever have these issues again


https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/45-day-fallow-periods.805213/