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FAQs about the Powder Brown and White Cheek
Tangs Behavior
Related Articles: Powder
Brown Surgeonfishes, Genus
Acanthurus, Naso,
Related FAQs: Powder Brown Tangs 1, Powder Brown Tangs 2, & FAQs on:
Powder Brown Tangs Identification,
Powder Brown Tangs Compatibility,
Powder Brown Tangs Selection,
Powder Brown Tangs Systems,
Powder Brown Tangs Feeding,
Powder Brown Tangs Disease,
Powder Brown Tangs Reproduction,
& Acanthurus, Acanthurus Tangs 2, Acanthurus Tangs
3, Acanthurus ID, Acanthurus Behavior, Acanthurus Compatibility, Acanthurus Selection, Acanthurus Systems, Acanthurus Feeding, Acanthurus Disease, Acanthurus Reproduction, Surgeons In General, Tang
ID, Tang
Behavior, Compatibility, Systems, Feeding, Disease,
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Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available
here
by Robert (Bob) Fenner |
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A. japonicus (the 'good' brown tang) behavior in new
system <Yes, AdamJ is back!> 1/7/10
Hello Crew,
<<Hello Carrie, Adam Jackson with you this evening??
I have been doing research on A. japonicus, and finally made the
purchase a few weeks ago. I requested my LFS order a 3-inch, A.
japonicus and had them hold it until he began taking frozen shrimp and
Nori.
<<A good practice and everyone else reading this take a note A.
japonicus is the much hardier 'cousin' of Acanthurus nigricans
the other 'powder brown tang.' Do avoid the latter.>>
After I verified they received the correct species, and that he was
eating, I brought him home. I did a freshwater dip instead of
quarantine based on what I read on WWM about stressing the fish due to
smaller tanks and a lack of grazing rock.
<<I understand why some aquarists recommend this practice, I know
I've seen quite a few regular WWM guys (Adam B to name one) who are
proponents of the method you used, especially with surgeons. While I
understand where they are coming from; Acanthuridae are notoriously
sensitive, especially when it comes to nutrition., it's not my
personal method. If the fish is otherwise in good health and already
eating, I prefer at least an abbreviated quarantine process once the
animal is brought home. I've always held the philosophy that my
current tank inhabitants are my first responsibility, and I like to
reduce the probability that I will cause harm to their health. Again
it's a personal thing, what's done is done, don't
stress.>>
I have two questions that I didn't know to research, and now I
cannot find the answers.
When he was introduced to the tank, he swam full speed, non-stop. He
would dart in and out of rocks around the tank. Now a few days later,
he spends most of his time in a single cave. He will come out of the
cave and swim for a few minutes and go back. He is eating and grazing
normally. Which swimming behavior is normal? I assume the first was the
stress of not having a territory, but I want to be sure that there is
not a greater problem. I was unable to find any information about the
swimming behavior of the white cheek in captivity.
<<Acanthuridae come from varying social structures, so their
personal 'range' and behavior varies because of that. Your fish
has undoubtedly had it's social structure changed multiple times
recently and thus each time it will need time to adjust. This sounds
like normal social behavior for a 'new' acquisition. As long as
his breathing appears normal and the animal is still accepting
sustenance, I would not worry yet. I would just keep observing and be
patient for now.>>
The other question has to do with him and MH lighting. Could he be in
the cave due to having MH lighting? I currently have a 2 X 175 Hamilton
fixture. If that is too much light, would more caves and tunnels
benefit him? The research I did on these fish stated they were in full
sun, and some caves were necessary, but nothing tells you how much. I
currently have three caves in my aquarium. One is the territory of a
Fusi Gobi (I will put in a plug for my favorite under- utilized fish,
brimming with personality, and slightly OCD about his housecleaning.)
but the other two are his for the claiming.
<<The average depth range for A. Japonicus is 0-20 meters with
most being found in the 5-15 m range. I can assure you the lumen
readings on a reef at that range far outweigh the output of your Metal
Halide system. Keep in mind that over the last few weeks/months your
animal has been passed between collectors, holding tanks, wholesalers
and retailers. Typically in commercial outlets fish are separated from
photosynthetic organisms and for economical issues housed under dim
lights. Your animal simply need to readjust, just give him
time.>>
Thank you for your advise,
<<Anytime, if you need any clarification please let me
know.>>
Carrie
<<Adam J'¦.hoping he didn't come off too
rusty>>
Acanthuroid comp., beh. -- 08/04/09
I have a powder brown tang along with the Foxface that inhabit my 75
gallon. Are the two compatible?
<About half the time>
I put them together thinking they were. Also, my tang keeps on
scratching on the sand surface and hasn't shown any ich outbreak.
Why is he doing this?
<Most fish (species, individuals) do scratch a bit, Surgeonfishes
more than most. BobF>
Black spot Hi, I have recently acquired a power brown tang.
It's eating and swimming normally. However, yesterday I noticed it
rubbing one side of its body along the substrate and today I there is a
black/dark-ish spot close to its scalpel spine. Do you know what this
is and what should I do to correct it? <Mmm... "this"
might well be just being new as a cause... but this species is one of
the more difficult to keep Surgeonfishes. Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/GoldRimSs.htm and the accompanying FAQs...
on to the nutritional, environmental disease sections on the Marine
Index... Bob Fenner> Thanks. Geoff
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PB Tang ... just don't call him "late for
dinner" Hello Bob? <Hello> Could you
please answer an important question for me? <Will try> I
just purchased a true powder brown tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
<Mmm, actually... A. nigricans is "the" powder
brown... please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/GoldRimSs.htm>
and he is in my 65g FOWLR with 65lbs of live rock, a dwarf angel,
percula clown, 2 Chromis, fairy wrasse and a bunch of hermit
crabs and few snails. My powder brown is almost 5
inches and is VERY healthy with good coloring. He
constantly changes colors. Meaning, his body which is
sometimes deep chocolate brown, changes to real light, almost
sheer brown, is this normal? <Yes... to some extent... should
be darker most of the time however> What is the
reason for this happening. <Perhaps adaptive coloration
(Mullerian mimicry), camouflage... maybe a form of communication
("stay away from me, I'm upset, sick as in not good to
eat")...> I just put the tang in my tank four days ago,
so he is still getting acclimated. Is my tank big
enough for him? <Not really... should be much larger, at least
twice this size> I would like to know ASAP if I
should remove him from my tank and give him back to the pet store
so I don't harm this animal and he doesn't get too
stressed. Thank you so much!!! Mike <Do you have
plans for a larger tank... soon? This is a good to better species
of surgeonfish for aquarium use... but does need larger quarters.
Bob Fenner>
White Cheek Tang II Hello, I
have a question for you regarding a powder brown tang (Acanthurus
japonicus). I have a fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus
solorensis) who has been in my tank for three months and the
powder brown tang I just put in two days ago constantly chases
him and beats him up. Do you know what the reason
could be for this, considering that the tang has NO established
territory and was put in the tank way after the
wrasse? Everywhere I have researched before I
purchased this tang mentioned nothing about it being aggressive
if being the last fish introduced to the tank. <Hmmm,
that's not entirely true. Virtually all of the
Acanthurus spp. surgeonfish can be aggressive to other like
bodied fish. It is very odd that it's choosing to
pester the fairy wrasse though. How big is your
tank?> de to add another fish in the tank, is he going to be
aggressive with them? <Probably. Sometimes a
territorial fight will just settle down after a few days/week,
sometimes not, sometimes they get worse.> The
wrasse is the only fish out of 7 that the tang
bothers. Also, on your WetWebMedia web site, you state
that the (Chaetodon Collare) butterfly fish is a tough
fish......"in general." Does the "in
general" mean that some live and some don't? <I'm
not personally very familiar with this fish, but this is the
general consensus, yes.> Or does it mean that most
live in captivity and they're easy to keep? I
would just like to have your brief opinion on this before I spend
the money for it? Thanks a lot, Brett <Hope this helps,
Matt>
White Cheek Tang III Thank you Matt. My tank
is 65g FOWLR with 70 lbs. of live rock. Is my tank big
enough to accommodate this tang (Acanthurus japonicus)? <Not
really> If not, what is the maximum size this fish can grow
until I have to move him to a larger tank? <Is
psychologically stressed at any size> He is also changing
color VERY often, he's lighter brown far more than he is
darker brown? <Not a good thing> Could this be happening
because my tank isn't big enough (keeping in mind he's
only been in my tank for four days so far)? <Yes, a
contributing factor> What color is this tang's natural
color, the darker brown or the lighter brown? <Darker>
Thanks so much, Brett <Bob Fenner>
Ongoing A. japonicus review Thank you
Matt. My tank is 65g FOWLR with 70 lbs. of live
rock. Is my tank big enough to accommodate this tang
(Acanthurus japonicus)? <Not in my opinion, at least not when
full grown. This would also explain the aggression
between the tang and the wrasse.> If not, what is
the maximum size this fish can grow until I have to move him to a
larger tank? <Hmmm, good question. I would err on
the side of caution here. But it sounds like he (or
the wrasse) might need to be moved soon if things don't
change.> He is also changing color VERY often, he's
lighter brown far more than he is darker brown? Could
this be happening because my tank isn't big enough (keeping
in mind he's only been in my tank for four days so
far)? What color is this tang's natural color, the
darker brown or the lighter brown? <Surgeonfish (and lots of
others) will change colors in response to light, mood, feeding,
all sorts of things. It's hard to say why it's
doing it. Your best bet to see the 'natural'
color is to look at some online pics, or you could attach us a
pic if you can.> Thanks so much, Brett <No
prob! Glad to help, Matt.>
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Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available
here
by Robert (Bob) Fenner |
|
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