Freakin Yellow Tang bites everytime I put my hands in the tank!

[chevyjaxon]

Be careful around his tail you are aware of why they are called surgeon fish right?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by chevyjaxon

Be careful around his tail you are aware of why they are called surgeon fish right?

Oh yeah...

[chevyjaxon]

so how many stitches did you get?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Actually none. It was years ago and a small Kole tang. It did take a long time to stop bleeding but it wasn't too bad. I was moving rocks in the tank and scared him and he got me as he frantically swam by.

My tangs now all seem way too friendly which is why I was asking if other tang owners have the same problem with them biting. I really don't think its a mean bite. He just seems to want to eat the hairs on my arm.

The Naso seems to like to be pet because I think he associates it with food since I only do it once in a while when I am feeding. Most of the time I feed with a turkey baster so my hands are not in the tank much.

[Keri]

Allk of my fish except the scooter blenny ad yellow wrasse eat from my hands, I like interacting with them like that so I make a point of feeding them this way. The SF tang does nibble my hands a bit, as does the LMB but nothing too serious.

If I put my hands in with no food they check them all over to make sure I'm not hiding it somewhere but they don't act scared, I can touch most of the fish without upsetting them.

How big is your yellow tang? It can feel unpleasant if the fish has a lot of teeth!!

[marie]

I have enough problems with my fish getting in the way when working in the tank. I couldn't imagine encouraging them by hand feeding them as well


My copperband is convinced the only reason I move rocks around is to make it easier for him to find stuff

[chevyjaxon]

only my unicorn tang comes up to my hand to check things out and he's not easily discouraged neither, my yellow tang keeps his distance and they do not bite me or attack me in any way, try giving your tang some veggies to keep him busy while you do your thing