tang trouble

[randy123]

I first got my regal blue tang about 4 months ago. She was always very shy, living in her cave in the LR and only darting out to take food. Lately some life factors distracted me from my tank, and i had a water quality dip for a few days. My tang refused to leave her cave, remaining docile while wedged in one tiny spot. Knowing this species, susceptibility to illness and that is is characteristic of fish to hide when sick, I began to worry. Tonight I moved the LR to get a look at her. She sprang out and gave my wrist a good cut in the process. She has grown twice the size she was when I first got her already, and her colors looked faded in a few spots. (She used to be a very brilliant blue) I'm not at all convinced she is sick, but I'm wondering if there might be some things stressing her.

She is in an overcrowded tank (the new one is right beside it and waiting for fish as soon as the sand arrives on monday) and she is too shy to eat as much as I'd like. Water quality is now good (salinity .024 ph 8.3, amm 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5-10 ppm) The upset was a PH drop to 7.9 and about 40 ppm nitrate. Did a 50% water change with new water matching salinity and tank temperture perfectly.

Her tankmates seem okay, although the clown has been abnormally not hungry lately. I strongly suspect my wife has been overfeeding them a bit though.

Right now the lights are off and the tank is recovering form it's ordeal. Anyone have any ideas?