Time to Admit I'm a Bonehead

AJ_77 · #1 10-26-2004, 12:04 AM

I made a mistake.

On Saturday I bought a Regal Angelfish, and have yet to see it eat in my tank. Even though there is a necessary period of adjustment, I am startled by the shyness of this fish. Nothing like the angels I kept in the past - not even as spunky as a dwarf angel, not even close. So calm, the Naso doesn't even have to show it agression, just shadow him to keep him spooked.

I've tried a few different things to get him to eat. I don't think that he will. My tank isn't the nice peaceful place he needs, and I screwed up to put him here. I don't want to have to resort to drastic measures, because even if I could force food down his gullet, his personality means that's probably all the food he'll get.

If anyone locally has a previous interest in this beautiful fish, and is prepared for one, you should PM me now. Thanks - here's a picture of one, mine is near identical and about 4" in the body:

Beverly · #2 10-26-2004, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ_77

On Saturday I bought a Regal Tang, and have yet to see it eat in my tank. Even though there is a necessary period of adjustment, I am startled by the shyness of this fish.

Alan,

We brought home a 4" CBB last Saturday. It, too, has been very shy, hid a lot in the rockwork, and was not interacting with the other fish (none of which have harrassed it at all). It was not eating very much at feeding time, though I have seen it pick a few things off the rock here and there.

Well, today, I decided to stand at the tank at eye level with it where it hid in the rockwork and talk to it

You know, to get it used to my voice and to my physical presence. Slowly, it came toward me, flashed me, then swam back to its hiding place. Wow, I thought, and kept talking to it. After 10 minutes of talking, the fish was coming and going from its hiding place quite easily. Chris was so impressed that he began talking to it as well.

Just before lights out, a few minutes ago, we saw the CBB out and about swimming with the other fish, which it had never done before

I don't know what it will do tomorrow at feeding time, but I'm going to talk to it some more before adding the food bit by bit - my usual way of feeding that tank. I have a funny feeling the fish will need more time to get used to its new home and to the feeding times. Plus, I'm going to keep talking to it until it is a well adjusted member of the fish community.

Don't know if talking to fish helps them get used to their new environment, but it didn't hurt in my case

Oh, and you gotta keep telling it how beautiful it is

AJ_77 · #3 10-26-2004, 01:56 AM

Well that is something I hadn't considered! I've once or twice called Deb "the Tang Whisperer" but that's about it...

Maybe I'll try it. How do I tell my obnoxious Naso tang to not be such a Naso? I planned this to be an active environment - then put in the Regal anyways, thinking that somehow it would "just work out."

Frustrating thing is, I'm making dumb newbie mistakes.

Canadian Man · #4 10-26-2004, 02:24 AM

Hey Alan.
I don't know if this will help or not but here it goes.

When I added my Clown Tang a few weeks ago I experienced similar behavior. My Coral beauty chased him around relentlessly and would not stop. The Clown would only hide and not come out more than to take a peek. Keep in mind I have 3 other tangs in my tank.

Well after about 2 days he started to swim around with the other tangs. The coral beauty would still dart toward him and he would go and hide again for a few minutes. By the 3rd and 4th day the Clown tang was swimming with the other tangs and faced the coral beauty every time he came close. Now he's just another fish in the tank.

mr_alberta · #5 10-26-2004, 02:43 AM

That is one beautiful angelfish.

AJ_77 · #6 10-26-2004, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy

That is one beautiful angelfish.

I agree, that's what snagged me... like a fish on a hook.

Anyways, I put him into the 29gal tonight so I can watch closer and get some food to him easier. Much quieter in there. Only tiny fishes...

mr_alberta · #7 10-26-2004, 03:53 AM

Too bad my new tank isn't anywhere near ready yet or I'd take him in a heartbeat.

Quinn · #8 10-26-2004, 07:12 AM

I think we're all entitled to one foolish spur-of-the-moment purchase. A lesson for others I suppose. Hopefully you/someone will get lucky and this guy will become another of the many fantastic adult fish that have gone on to almost iconic status on this board.

danny zubot · #9 10-26-2004, 03:22 PM

I've made several mistakes in buying livestock. For me learning the hard way is a way of life. The difference is that now I have enough experience to know when I have failed, and when lucky, remedy the situation. ie: the whole lionfish thing.

I think that Angel is too large for my 54g tank otherwise he'd be mine. What do you think Alan?

MitchM · #10 10-26-2004, 03:56 PM

What about partioning off your big tank with some eggcrate for a while? If you're unable to do that, or otherwise run out of options, I'll be happy to put him up over here at my place and either purchase him from you or keep him fat until you're ready to take him back.

(BTW, you're anything but a bonehead....

)

Mitch