Food for tang, offering a buffet

[YHSublime]

So for those of you who follow my build, you know that I added an orange striped bristletooth tang. Now, she's (and I refer to her as a she affectionately, not scientifically) has plenty of algae growing in the tank, several different variates actually ( ) and I have seen her take some nabs at pellets and other food dropped into the tank, although she's shy when I am right by by the tank, although 4 feet away at the computer makes all the difference, then she comes out. She constantly grazes, but my longer hair algae was only left with a patch eaten away. Now I know there is a great chance that she will come back and finish it off, but....

 

I'm wondering if I should offer a varied diet immediately, like putting in a clip and seaweed, or if I should wait for her to nibble on the HA a little bit longer. I have been reading that they will be more calmed and in better health if there is seaweed available. I really want to offer the best diet possible to bring out the colors in my fish.

 

Interestingly enough, I have noticed my Algae Blenny getting serious about eating algae. She hates him though, and frequently runs him off, where he patiently waits for her to leave and heads right back again. It's comical to see from my standpoint, although I'm sure it's no laughing matter for that mustached fish.

 

 

 

[Marc Weaver]

Whenever you start feeding seaweed, she will probably quickly learn that she likes it better than algae. If she's not veggie-clip trained already, it may take a little while for her to warm up to it. My tangs, filefish, and lawnmower blenny mob the veggie clip when it is put into the tank. They get very excited when I take it out to re-load it. They learn quickly. I would definitely get her used to it now because your macro/hair algae may eventually disappear (at least you hope it will.)

[YHSublime]

Whenever you start feeding seaweed, she will probably quickly learn that she likes it better than algae. If she's not veggie-clip trained already, it may take a little while for her to warm up to it. My tangs, filefish, and lawnmower blenny mob the veggie clip when it is put into the tank. They get very excited when I take it out to re-load it. They learn quickly. I would definitely get her used to it now because your macro/hair algae may eventually disappear (at least you hope it will.)

 

Thank you, sir! I think I will start. She is certainly a grazer. I have thrown in some pacific turbo algae grazers from Dr. Macs, and they have essentially wiped a rock clean that was giving me problems. This means I'm a little closer to needing to throw some seaweed in there.

 

Folks, I know there is a LOT of information on what to feed tangs out there, is there a specific type of greens that delight your tangs? Do you soak them in anything in particular? Do you leave them tied in the tank, or clipped until it's finished?

 

Pretend like I don't know anything about feeding a tang, other than it eats small portions of my hair algae, constantly grazes the tank, and eats frozen and pellets.

[sachabballi reef]

mine will devour Julian Sprungs purple like its crack.....all the fish I have go nuts for it not just the tangs

[YHSublime]

mine will devour Julian Sprungs purple like its crack.....all the fish I have go nuts for it not just the tangs

 

Pricy little jar there. How long does that last ya?

[sachabballi reef]

not jar....bag...its like $7 and it lasts forever...tons of sheets in the bag

http://www.marinedep...DDRSWSS-vi.html

 

buy it local at petco or our LFS if they are near you...

for some reason mine don't like red or green but I can stick some of each in the mail for you if you want to try all 3 before you buy...just PM me your address and I will put it in the mail tomorrow...

Edited May 5, 2013 by sachabballi reef

[YHSublime]

not jar....bag...its like $7 and it lasts forever...tons of sheets in the bag

http://www.marinedep...DDRSWSS-vi.html

 

buy it local at petco or our LFS if they are near you...

for some reason mine don't like red or green but I can stick some of each in the mail for you if you want to try all 3 before you buy...just PM me your address and I will put it in the mail tomorrow...

 

That's super kind of you, thanks so much!

[xabo]

If you can locate an Asian market pick up some dried Nori. I place the sheets in a gallon sized freezer bag with a slice of bread. The bread "softens" the Nori which you can fold without breaking and placed on a clip in the tank.

Edited May 5, 2013 by xabo

[Marc Weaver]

I get mine from noridirect.com. Grade B. You can rubber-band it to a piece of live rock if the tang is afraid of the clip.