Pale yellow tang!

I just bought a juvenile (2-3 inches) yellow tang yesterday. He was doing well yesterday eating but kinda shy. today I woke up and he is really pale. The Coral Beaty is doing just fine but the yellow tang is pale as a ghost. I'm getting ready to feed him now. The only thing I tested for today is ammonia and it is at 0.

 

Alright, just fed him and he ate like a pig. He also has regained some color, it was probably just a false alarm but well it was my first 24 hrs with him and he was really pale this morning so it scared me. What does it mean when they are pale? Also is a horizontal white line on them normal?

 

My tangs also get pale at sleep time . This is normal. Also the fact that you just added him can add to that as well.

 

I know some fish will change their color when stressout. He might still just getting use to its new environment, but he is eating that is a good sign. Just don't feed him too much right now, and feed him nori or vitamins rich food. Also check your parameters and see if they are within normal range.

 

Yup, they change color at night and the white stripe will stand out. As stated above, perfectly normal. You will notice this happening every night. In fact, many fish have this attribute. In my tank, I have just one fish left that exhibits this sort of behavior. My three striped damsel gets very off-color in the darkened hours.

 

Good to know. He has in the past couple of hours regained his color and is swimming around and grazing on the rocks.

 

Make sure to feed it a mixed diet with a vegetable staple of seaweed and other algae matter for the success of your Tang(s)!!!

 

Excellent point. If you were to feed them a meaty diet, they would not make it. You can get some Nori (Seaweed) from the Asian section of most supermarkets for about $3.00 a bag. It lasts a while. I just hook a veggie clip to my lighting with a piece of 50lb test and let it float around with the Nori attached. Most of the fish in my tank eat it......Even one of the damsels.

 

Just to expand on this topic though it relates to many other fish as well as... The faded coloration displayed by certain fish such as your Yellow Tang, stress can definitely contribute to the coloration of your fish from a vibrant color to a drab and subdued color. This reduced coloration is also an aid in the defense of the fish at night when many of the predators of the reefs emerge such as shark and many larger fish(ie. grouper, eels) to feed. The subdued coloration makes the fish less visible and offers the fish a better chance of surviving through the night!
Getting back to the stress issue, stress is a very damaging variable that can effect any living animal. Finding ways to minimize the stress on your livestock will afford a better environment for your livestock. Moreover, reduced stress will allow you to view your livestocks true behavior and personality as well as being able to see your livestock more instead of hiding all the time.
Feeding and diet are something that many aquarists don't give enough thought to, in my opinion. Not every fish consumes the same type of foods! Some animals are herbivores, some carnivores while others are omnivorous. Some species of fish are specialized eaters and must be fed a diet of both algal matter as well as proteinaceous foods. Sea Horses feed on live foods for the most part. Then their are inverts such as the Harlequin Shrimp that prey on stricktly Sea Stars, many nudibranches feed on one type of algae or food as well. Special care needs to be instilled in each and every one of us to ensure that our livestock is not only eating, but receiving the right nutrients, vitamins and dietary needs to bring out the vibrant colors that a healthy animal will display as well as longevity and ability to thrive in your aquarium!
Food size and number of feedings per day are also very important. Small fish may not be able to swallow larger sized mysis shrimp and thus may have to be fed baby brine shrimp or formula foods or flake broken into smaller pieces. Anthias' require multiple feeding per day 4-5 to be more exact for their health and vigor.
These issues need to be addressed and your ability to inquire as much info regarding the dietary needs, type and size of the food will go far in your ability to enjoy your tank for years to come with healthy animals that will provide you with countless hours of enjoyment, entertainment and awe!

Enough said...
Best of luck to you!

 

Check your PH and Alkalinity. Mine was a perfect indicator when one or both of these were off my Tang turned pale.