New Kole Tang with Discoloration

This is my first tank, and my first fish so I'm worried. I have a 29 gallon Biocube, stock setup with no alterations.

I woke up this morning to find he had discoloration and what almost looks like lesions on his right side near his front fin under his gill (pics below, but they are not that good). He did not have this last night before I went to bed, when he had been in the tank for about 4 hours at that point. He also has a small nick in his bottom back fin also which I am not sure was there or not.

I acclimated him using standard drip procedure, and kept the lights low through the whole process. I try to do everything by the book as I am new to the aquarium world. I just got the fish yesterday from a local reputable store. He was wild caught two days ago, and has been in my tank about 12 hours now, and is the first and only fish. I have live rock, snails and crabs. Tank has had rock (about 305 lbs.) in it for about a month now, crabs and snails added about two weeks ago along with one small coral frag. Crabs and snails have been doing great.

He is swimming around pretty normally (at least in my 12 hour experience). He is hiding within the rocks and coming out here and there, but he is also adjusting to his new home. He is eating algae off the glass mostly, and there is a seaweed strip in there which he hasn't touched, but might be because he has not noticed it. His behavior looks the same as it did last night.

Water was tested at the store yesterday before getting the fish, and everything looked good. I don't know the exact values but we were encouraged to get a fish. This store is fish specific, not a PETCO or anything like that. Temp is at 79, and salinity is 1.025. I can't identify what is going on, but obviously want to help him ASAP. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am a rookie and need a veteran here!

 

The nick is probably just a wound from banging into the rocks and learning the tank. It should heal with good water quality.

For the lesions, look up Black Ich. Tangs are notorius for it, and the stress of transfer to the new tank will bring it on.

Just a heads up, a 29 gallon tank is small for a tang. You may want to see if the LFS will take it back. Tangs like room to swim and lots of rock to graze on. My Kole grazes non-stop on nearly every rock in my 150 gallon. The lack of space and rock to graze may stress him out.

Kole's are grazers. Mine doesn't really eat off the strips that well either. He will occasionally, but perfers to eat micro algae off the rocks.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am glad my thoughts on the fin are likely confirmed. He was swimming in and out of the crevices so I assumed it had something to do with it.

That news is disappointing to hear on both fronts. I really thought he was a good start. I feel like I'm having terrible luck with this 29 gallon. Seems like an in-between size, large for some fish, too small for others. Maybe he is not the best fish, but now I am stuck because I feel like he is likely stressed and possibly sick. I don't want to put him through any more sudden changes.

As for black ich, I'm not seeing any of the symptoms (which obviously doesn't mean anything). Being that I just moved him and stressed him, and the fact he has changed environments 3 times in the past 3 days, should I proceed towards any type of treatment? Should I leave him be for a while and monitor him? I'm guessing baths are not the best idea yet. I've heard garlic helps. Are there any non-quarantine methods which might help?

Ughhhhh......

 

I think you're on the right path. Give him a few days to chill out and acclimate.

My Kole would not take flake or pellets, but I'm sure each fish is different. However, he loves brine shrimp, so get some good, vitamin enriched frozen brine with spirulina. I got the Hikari brand. Once he's chilled out a bit and eating well, you can decide on what to do with him. If it is a reputable fish store as you say, they should be willing to work with you if you decide to trade him in.

Between now and then, do as much reading as you can on keeping tangs and decide if it's the right set-up for you and the fish. This forum has a lot of good reading and helpful hints. Here's one on Kole Tangs to start.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/help-needed-kole-tang-not-eating-142652.html

 

Thanks for all your help! Will do!

Yeah the store should be fine considering the "first" fish I received from one of the new kid staff was a Bicolor Angelfish. I brought him back the next morning after my research. Unfortunately it was replaced with this Tang. Back to the drawing board I guess. I apparently have poor taste for my tank. Challenges continue! I will definitely do my research beforehand instead of listening to recommendations. They haven't faired well thus far. Little disappointing because this is definitely a good LFS. Guess I just need to work with veteran staff. Thanks again!

 

Do some reading here and post some "stocking plans" in the 3reef forum to get opinions. People here are very helpful and will give you unbiased advice based on experiences they've had.

The 29 gallon cube is a very popular tank and you can have some nice fish populations. There are quite a few members here that can help with selection.

Keep it up. You'll get there!

 

+1 And don't forget, the LFS is there to make money; not all of their advice is in the customer's best interest. Do your research here first. As mentioned, ask questions or post up a proposed stock list. Don't ever go into a LFS and do an impulse buy (especially on a fish you are not familiar with in terms of tank size and care requirements). If anything, you should be able to have the LFS hold a fish for you. One of mine will let you hold an item for 2 weeks with only putting down a deposit. Another will only hold an item for a day or two and you need to pay in full. Either way, better than making a mistake. Either way it is better than taking a fish home that day, only to have to take it back.

Seems you are on the right track though. Just keep your head up!

 

Thanks for all the advice. I will definitely do my research beforehand. With all the reading I've done on maintaining and setup of the tank, for some reason I thought fish would be the "easier" part. However, in only 2 short days, I realize that is definitely not the case! At least I learned my lesson early on! Thanks again guys!