Blonde Naso not eating

reefknight · Feb 3, 2015

I picked up a Blonde Naso from a reputable dealer this past Friday. It had been quarantined for 30 days, was eating well and showed no signs of disease. Upon releasing it into the 185g display it has done the usual for a 4.5"-5" specimen, hides a bit as it is shy. Swims in the open when no people are visible. Can be seen picking algae or some hydroids(yay) off of rocks. The issue is it will not eat anything that I throw at it at this time. NLS pellets, Fuana Marin pellets, Formula 2 pellets or flakes. Mysis soaked in garlic guard & Elos vitamins, Rods herbivore, frozen brine soaked as well. Will not accept nori on a clip on the side wall of the tank. I have yet to try romaine lettuce or spinach leaves or freash macro algae, I would need to find a local supply.

I know that he has a bit of a bully problem at the moment, a Fowler's tang that is showing some aggression. The first sign of aggression ever out of the Fowler's and he is a bit smaller than the Naso, 3.5"-4". The Naso is submitting to the Fowler's and giving way, not standing up for himself at this time at all. I had wished it would be different. I know that Fowler's can be aggressive as they become older and larger. This one has been in my care for two years and was purchased at only 2" overall. Other tank mates are yellow coris wrasse, Social Fairy wrasse, male Pylei wrasse, Mandarin and a pair of Darwin clowns.

I'm going to head to the store this evening for romaine and spinach. Considering some mussels as well, thoughts? Try to find some fresh macro algae and some brown or red sheets of algae.

For those that will say that these two fish do not belong in a space this small, it is temporary as plans are being developed for at least an 8' display in the near future. Possibly larger, it all depends. If not I do have sources that can re house these fish into suitable locations. So may we please keep this on topic.

Thank you for your assistance!

ca1ore · Feb 3, 2015

I don't find the Naso to be a particularly easy fish to acclimate. Easily bullied, goes on hunger strikes and is a relatively weak swimmer such that they can get pinned to the side of a strong power-head. Probably ought to have QT's it at home and then used an acclimation box. Try the mirror trick for the Fowlers.

LostInTheDark · Feb 4, 2015

ca1ore said:
I don't find the Naso to be a particularly easy fish to acclimate..

I have had the same experience. They would settle in then go on a hunger strike after a month or two. I have heard the larger ones acclimate easier but I have only tried smaller ones.

reefknight · Feb 4, 2015

I have some good news today as he is picking at the romaine and spinach that I purchased last evening. He has yet to go after the clams (mussels were unavailable) on the half shell that were offered, though it didn't stop the rest rest of the motley crew. I washed the vegetation down then froze it before adding it to breakdown cellulose, as I always have. I also rinsed the heck out of the clams before adding them. Placed two "feeding stations" on opposite sides of the tank, one being close to where he resides.

I hadn't thought of the mirror trick, had actually forgotten about it. Used it years ago with a FOWLR tank adding an angel that was harassing a Lineatus Butterfly. I'll give that a shot today. I have had rather good success with Naso's this size in the past, that have shown to be eating and that have known to have been quarantined. Specimens smaller or not, then no they usually go on the aforementioned hunger strike and perish. I do agree that larger specimens have a better survival rate, when they are eating and showing no signs of illness. I agree with acclimation box usage in most cases, with tangs I'm not sure if it would have helped in the situation. Fowler's being more of an overall aggressive personality and Naso's having a more passive. I was vastly hoping since mine had never shown the tendencies may still be young enough. If the matter isn't corrected in the next couple of days. I believe the best course of action would be to remove the Fowler's for about a months time or so. This way the Naso can become settled in his home and get comfortable. Once he has, reintroduce the Fowler's. In the past this has worked as a reset for the hierarchy as well as the other fish has become confident in its surroundings.

Thank you for your suggestions, keep them coming. There is something new to learn everyday!

reefknight · Feb 6, 2015

So after a couple of days the aggression has subsided a good bit, as I had hoped it would. The Naso is out and front more and colored up more each day and is picking at the rocks and substrate, which is also good news. He is still picking at the spinach and romaine leaves that are being offered. I am continuing to offer the clams on the half shell, frozen mysis soaked in garlic guard, vitamins & metro, small portions of flake & pellet Formula 2, nori sheets and have offered Rod's Herbivore. He seems interested but will not go after the foods as they are floating by.(I have turned off return & circulation pumps) He seems to timid of his surroundings as well as when anyone approaches the tank to feed. I have a single piece screen top as my tank is open top. As soon as you lift a corner to place food in, he's hiding behind rock. His grazing instinct is intact as he is picking and pecking at the rock work.