Skinny tang / ID help

Turf Plumber · 07/01/2019, 06:25 PM

Hello. I was at an LFS and inquired about a tang that has been in one of their coral tanks for a long time. At least 6 months. I didnt think it was for sale but they guy didnt seem to mind parting with it. There isnt much flow to speak of in that tank. The tang is very skinny but he was eating and looking generally healthy other than thin so I picked him up.
Question 1: how to get him to gain some weight. I'm pretty sure he has lost a lot of muscle due to low flow so is there any danger in just cranking it up for him? There are low flow places in the rocks and stuff. He has eaten everything I offered, mysis/brine nori off the clip, picking at my substantial hair algae collection, and even ate a pellet or two.
Question 2: what is he?? The LFS guy said lavender tang but I cant find any pics of lavenders that look like this. He looks more like a kole to me but he doesnt have any yellow or blue around his eyes. Hes a dull purplish brown or grey, with gold dots on his face and a lighter tail than his body. Dont worry, nutrients are in check, the hair algae just got let go for a couple months while I was out of town and my wife was taking care of the tank.

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Cliving1 · 07/01/2019, 06:38 PM

Looks like a kole tang. If its eating, it should gain weight. It would be different if it was skinny and you were trying to get it to eat. Continue to provide greens as its needed in their diet, it should bounce back. I would provide feedings multiple times a day

OrionN · 07/01/2019, 08:12 PM

If the tank have that much hair algae and he is skinny, I am not sure if her really eat. Any of my tang would clean up that hair algae.

Turf Plumber · 07/01/2019, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrionN

If the tank have that much hair algae and he is skinny, I am not sure if her really eat. Any of my tang would clean up that hair algae.

I have had him for 2 days.

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OrionN · 07/01/2019, 08:33 PM

I thought that picture was at the LFS.
Just feed him and he will gain weight quickly. I think he will make short work of your hair algae.

OrionN · 07/01/2019, 08:58 PM

I think it is Striatus tang

Turf Plumber · 07/01/2019, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrionN

I think it is Striatus tang

Thank you... I have searched so many tangs lol. That seems to be the best match.

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Turf Plumber · 07/02/2019, 08:39 PM

Finally got a much better pic for ID. Right now I'm with OrionN on it being a striatus.

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paulweck · 07/03/2019, 09:26 PM

It kinda looks like a young faded color orange stripe bristle tooth tang

Turf Plumber · 07/04/2019, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulweck

It kinda looks like a young faded color orange stripe bristle tooth tang

Yeah he is malnourished for sure. Hes eating everything I give him right now so hopefully he will gain some weight and color.

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E.intheC · 07/18/2019, 08:18 AM

Looks like he’s in good hands - have you tried live black worms? That’s been my go-to food to fatten up fish or get a picky fish to eat. That and clams on the half shell. Good luck.

07/01/2019, 06:25 PM	#1
Turf Plumber Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 13	Skinny tang / ID help Hello. I was at an LFS and inquired about a tang that has been in one of their coral tanks for a long time. At least 6 months. I didnt think it was for sale but they guy didnt seem to mind parting with it. There isnt much flow to speak of in that tank. The tang is very skinny but he was eating and looking generally healthy other than thin so I picked him up. Question 1: how to get him to gain some weight. I'm pretty sure he has lost a lot of muscle due to low flow so is there any danger in just cranking it up for him? There are low flow places in the rocks and stuff. He has eaten everything I offered, mysis/brine nori off the clip, picking at my substantial hair algae collection, and even ate a pellet or two. Question 2: what is he?? The LFS guy said lavender tang but I cant find any pics of lavenders that look like this. He looks more like a kole to me but he doesnt have any yellow or blue around his eyes. Hes a dull purplish brown or grey, with gold dots on his face and a lighter tail than his body. Dont worry, nutrients are in check, the hair algae just got let go for a couple months while I was out of town and my wife was taking care of the tank. Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

07/01/2019, 08:12 PM	#3
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	If the tank have that much hair algae and he is skinny, I am not sure if her really eat. Any of my tang would clean up that hair algae. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

07/01/2019, 08:33 PM	#5
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	I thought that picture was at the LFS. Just feed him and he will gain weight quickly. I think he will make short work of your hair algae. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

07/01/2019, 08:58 PM	#6
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	I think it is Striatus tang __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

07/18/2019, 08:18 AM	#11
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	Looks like he’s in good hands - have you tried live black worms? That’s been my go-to food to fatten up fish or get a picky fish to eat. That and clams on the half shell. Good luck. __________________ -Eric

07/01/2019, 06:38 PM	#2
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	Looks like a kole tang. If its eating, it should gain weight. It would be different if it was skinny and you were trying to get it to eat. Continue to provide greens as its needed in their diet, it should bounce back. I would provide feedings multiple times a day

07/02/2019, 08:39 PM	#8
Turf Plumber Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 13	Finally got a much better pic for ID. Right now I'm with OrionN on it being a striatus. Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

07/03/2019, 09:26 PM	#9
paulweck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 52	It kinda looks like a young faded color orange stripe bristle tooth tang