frequency of lettuce/algae feeding

saltynewbie · 12-23-2007, 08:50 PM

I was just wondering how often should I feed my tangs (I have 4) lettuce or algae? The reason I ask is that the powder blue tang doesn't seem to eat any other food so basically, it ends up eating only once every other day when I put in the algae or lettuce. It does try to eat when i feed my fish but it is a very timid fish and goes into hiding while feeding is going on. It spends the entire day pecking at the rocks though. I was thinking of upping my algae feeding to daily just to accomodate to the powder blue. Is this ok? The powder blue is only been in my tank for about 2 weeks now.

unclejed · 12-24-2007, 10:48 AM

He is probably fine since he is foraging all day as they are prone to do. If you put a strip of dried algae (I take it that is what you are using) and it lasts all day then that is o.k. but if the tangs are devouring it in an hour or so I wouldn't put it in every day.

saltynewbie · 12-24-2007, 05:55 PM

Yeah, they are basically devouring it within the hour. I also have a sea urchin which takes care of whatever is left over after a few hours.

Abbey · 12-26-2007, 04:41 PM

i haven't had a tang yet but maybe if you put an additional algea clip on the opposite side of the tank and just cut the algea strip in to more than one piece the powder blue may get more of it since you say it is pretty shy. this would likely cause the fish to spread out giving more of a chance for it to feed.
just an idea
but if you do try this let me know how it works because i intend on getting a tang when my tank is cycled and want to know about different feeding habits.