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 Behavior, Powder Brown Tangs Compatibility, Powder Brown Tangs Selection, Powder Brown Tangs Systems, Powder Brown Tangs Feeding, 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,

Finicky Tang Advice... Powder Brown?  2-12-08 Hello all! <Mr. Spud, err, Dan> This past Wednesday (five days ago now) I received from an online aquarium store an order of a Powder Brown Tang (A. japonicus) <Mmm... maybe... you sure this isn't a Acanthurus nigricans? Much more common, and hard to keep> and a Royal Gramma. Both are absolutely beautiful specimens - absolutely no signs of any disease, incredible coloring, very active. I've got to say that I've never seen better looking fish for sale anywhere. <... I do hope your system is large, has been up and running for several months...> Now, the distressing part. I haven't seen the Tang eat anything yet. It's not showing signs of starvation yet, but I'm worried that it's just around the corner. Thus far, I have tried frozen Spirulina brine, frozen omega brine, frozen Cyclop-Eeze, frozen mysis, live brine, Nori (both the kind sold at fish stores and the plain seaweed for sushi) tried both from a feeding clip as well as rubber banded at the base of the q-tank, frozen herbivore preparation, freeze-dried Cyclop-Eeze, Formula 2 pellets and Spectrum Thera+ pellets. I've tried most all of these items both with and without garlic. I'm thinking I should maybe consider trying some Selcon, <A good idea, useful appetite stimulant... can be added directly to the water, or the foods soaked...> but, other than that, I'm at a loss as to what to give this fish. I know that tangs can be susceptible to mouth damage in shipping, but, this guy looks so darn healthy I'm hoping against hope that he's just a finicky eater. Do you have any other suggestions for things that I may want to try feeding? Thanks in advance! Dan <Let's go back a bit... have you check the species here: http://wetwebmedia.com/GoldRimSs.htm and the linked files above... Particularly re Feeding... This fish is very new... may be "chewing" on your live rock... taking a while to acclimate here. Bob Fenner> Re: Finicky Tang Advice, Acanthurus japonicus   2/13/08 Hi Bob - Thanks for the quick response! <Welcome Dan> I did thoroughly read the pages on this species before selecting it for my tank (that's why I was so particular about the A. japonicus).? According to the pages, it is definitely Acanthurus japonicus.? It has the red stripe on the dorsal fin that, as I understand it, is missing in A. nigricans. <Thank you for this> My main tank is 125G with a 30G sump and a 10G fuge, so I'm thinking that its size should be okay over the long haul, and the tank is about a year old now. <Yes... should be fine to ideal> Unfortunately, though, my quarantine tank is only 30G, so he's in tight quarters for the short-haul, but he's still pretty small (appx. 4" nose to tail). <About the perfect size as well> I'll buy some Selcon tonight and see if I can find some other frozen herbivore preparations. I'm also going to try the other brand of Spectrum pellets that I've seen referred to. <Real good... the Thera is the same... plus garlic...> Beyond that, I'm not sure where to go next. <Mmm, really... be patient... There is a very good possibility this specimen will settle in...> I suppose that as long as I'm not seeing outlines of his ribs, he's probably getting nutrition from somewhere......? <Yes, very likely the rock...> there's no rock in the quarantine tank though, it's bare bottom with only some PVC connectors to give hiding places, etc. <Oh! I would summarily move this fish to the main display...> There don't appear to be any injuries to the mouth and it is a CLEAN looking fish. Thanks again - Dan <To reiterate for emphasis; I would move this fish now... There is a very small chance of trouble, and much to be gained by going forward here. Bob Fenner>