[leathaw]

Ok, I recently bought myself a 2-3 inch Blue Tang (Regal) and he immediately got ich. I was able to treat him for that and no problems, ich is gone, now he has some white fungus looking growth on him and I'm treating for that. I really just want to know if the fungus thing is something they can bounce back from easily. I'm starting to be concerned that he is going to be that kid at school that was always sick. Do they gain a stronger immunity to disease's as they grow, or am I going to always have problems with him?

[ksreefbuilder]

From my experience the blue tangs are one of the worst to try and keep healthy. It could just be the ones I have gotten, but I have ordered them from several places with the same results. From everything I have read and been told about them, they do have a reputation for being the one to keep getting sick, no matter what the size or age. Mine have always gotten sick and ended up dieing within a couple days, weeks, or at longest a month in qt. Others may disagree with me, but no one can keep them in my area, even the fish stores or most experienced aquarist. As soon as I thought it was getting better it would die, and I have just given up on having one.

[spanko]

Problematic fish at best. Here is a good article on them.

Paracanthurus

[unclejed]

There is a product and I use it called Marine-Max by Tropical Science. It is all natural with what they call "protector" bacteria and anti-oxidants plus vitamins. It boosts the fishes immune system and helps their slime coat. This is vital as most tangs have a very thin coat.

[spanko]

Leon, is that a product added directly to the display or only in quarantine?

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by ksreefbuilder

From my experience the blue tangs are one of the worst to try and keep healthy. It could just be the ones I have gotten, but I have ordered them from several places with the same results. From everything I have read and been told about them, they do have a reputation for being the one to keep getting sick, no matter what the size or age. Mine have always gotten sick and ended up dieing within a couple days, weeks, or at longest a month in qt. Others may disagree with me, but no one can keep them in my area, even the fish stores or most experienced aquarist. As soon as I thought it was getting better it would die, and I have just given up on having one.

Really? I have only ever had 1, a hippo, but was 1 1/2" long 14 months ago. Now hes 5" and never had a problem. I did run him thru hyposalinity very early on though.

[unclejed]

You can use it in either Henry. I add it to the tank once every couple of months or when I add a new fish as they suggest.

[spanko]

Thanx Leon.

[jimw369]

Its all about Hyposalinity from the start of your tank. If you have ich now you will always have it and many of your fish can be sick and die from it. I know of 2 tanks that run hypo besides mine and Pogo is an avid hyposalinity person so that makes 4 tanks. None of us that I know of have ich issues. These other products/cures have been around as long as ich has and will continue to be repackaged and sold as long as the aquarist does not employ strict QT, Copper and Hypo treatments.

Just IMO. Would like to see more people enjoy the fish and not worry about them with the ich issues.

[arm0124]

seems to me a uv light helps also. i have good luck with tangs except powder blue tangs. also tangs eat alot dont starve them

[leathaw]

Well, I quarantined him right away but I didn't try the hyposalinity. I will try this will my next purchase. But I don't have UV lights for my QT, is this something I should be doing, or is it safe for that 2 week grace period?

[jimw369]

hypo takes at least 6 weeks and all fish must be run thru hypo and your DT must remain empty during this time.

[demonsquirt]

Many fish like this have issues that if they dont get stressed you will never see.

Seems like he is stressed. So the 2 main things that would stress him out are low oxygen from low water current and or high ammonia readings.

Do you know your ammonia reading?
Whats used for water current?

[NOSAJ214]

Yeah blue hippo's need good flow and very clean water to stay healthy.So many people seem to have problems withthese fish because they dont know that they need the flow.I have never kept one, just heard and seen so many in the LFS's in terrible shape to begin with.

[leathaw]

My ammonia was at 0 and my waterflow came from the filter return. Its just a 10 gallon so I didn't think I needed to put in a fan.

[demonsquirt]

I dont know any tangs rated for a 10 gallon.

Do you know your nitrite and nitrate and phosphate and PH and salinity levels?

[leathaw]

Gosh I'm sorry I wasn't clear. The 10 gallon is my QT tank.