Orange Shoulder Tang Malady

[returnofsid]

I'm hoping Les can help me out with this issue!

A few weeks ago, I received an juvenile Orange Shoulder Tang, from Les at WetPetsHawaii. In Les' care, this fish was QTd, for several weeks, dewormed and medicated. I know Les used at least 2 different medications, one being PraziPro. I forget the other one, but want to say it was Formalin.

It's currently in our 40 breeder, and will go into our 200. It's buddy buddy with an 8 Lined Wrasse, also received from WPH, and they rarely leave each other's side.

The problem is, this Tang seems to think it's a Clown fish. It continually tries to rub against a Frogspawn that a mated pair of Percula are using as a host. The Clowns are constantly chasing it out of the Frogspawn. The Tang will literally lay on it's side, on the Frogspawn. In the mornings, I've even seen it sleeping, in the Frogspawn. Well, the tang has developed some sort of "sore," on it's flank, the same side that comes in contact with the Frogspawn. I don't know these sores are related, but I suspect they are.

The Tang is eating, very well, on a variety of algae, both dried and live algae. It doesn't appear to show any signs of distress, in it's breathing. It does "flash" against the sand bed, but very rarely.

Again, this Tang will be moved, to our 200, soon, so will be separated from the Frogspawn. However, I want to make sure that's the problem, before moving it. In it's current tank, I could catch it easily, if needed. Once in the 200, it'll be near impossible to catch.

 

[TJL]

Hey Michael it could also be secondary burns from coral on top of bite marks from Clowns. It looks similar to wounds my Mamma Clown leaves on my other fish who venture to close to her spawn.


Cheers, Todd

 

[Faciosity]

That's really odd. I would guess that it is being stung/burned by the frogspawn, but then you would have to wonder why it would keep going back.

 

[user 26995]

Oh, the poor thing...he just wants to belong......He needs a friend.

My tomini tang pals around with the clarki clown. I think they need companionship too.

 

[returnofsid]

That's really odd. I would guess that it is being stung/burned by the frogspawn, but then you would have to wonder why it would keep going back.

I gotta admit, this Orange Shoulder Tang is not inspiring me, with it's intelligence...lol. I'm sitting here watching it, right now, as it continues to try to push it's way into the Frogspawn. The Clowns will finally chase it away, it will swim around the tank for a few minutes, picking at algae, then returning to try to "snuggle" with the Frogspawn...lol. Funny thing is, there's actually Frogspawn in 3 different areas of the tank. The Tang is ONLY interested in the Frogspawn that is hosting the Percula. I don't know if it's attracted to the Frogspawn or to the Clowns.

 

[returnofsid]

I don't know if I need to remove it, to a QT area, and treat it with medication, or if I should just move it to the 200, sooner than planned, to get it away from the Frogspawn/Clown combo. The delay is only because I need to remove the Tomini Tang, from the 200, before introducing the Orange Shoulder Tang.

 

[TJL]

Try placing a small mirror next to glass for it to see if it is indeed companionship it is looking for.

Cheers, Todd

 

[returnofsid]

For the past couple of hours, the Tang hasn't approached the Frogspawn. Incredibly, the sores look remarkably better, in a very short time. I'll be interested to see, this evening when the lights go out, how the Tang acts. It's been actually sleeping in the Frogspawn...lol. I may try a mirror.

 

[iroll253]

i would just move it to the qt to be safe. My sail-fin tang has a single spot like that from brushing up on my elegance coral that my clowns host.

 

[leebca]

It most probably is Hyper-Melaninization. However, the issue can be easily resolved. Move the fish into the QT and if it was/is the Frogspawn, the fish will heal in a few days (with the right kind of diet, which you seem to be providing). The fish is much thinner than I would like to have it be. Make sure it's getting its fill of macro algae and being fed other nutritious foods. Are you following this guideline for the algae feedings? How to Feed Macro Algae to Marine Fishes

In general, I'd say the fish isn't right in the head. Not every fish, even within its own species, has the same level of 'intelligence.' You may wish to reconsider putting this fish into the 200 just on these grounds.