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FAQs about the Striped Sailfin Tangs, Zebrasoma desjardinii, Z.
veliferum: Behavior Related
Articles: Striped Zebrasoma Tangs,
the Genus Zebrasoma, Related FAQs:
Striped Sailfin Tangs 1, Striped
Sailfin Tangs 2, & FAQs on: Striped
Sailfin Tangs Identification, Striped
Sailfin Tangs Compatibility, Striped
Sailfin Tangs Selection, Striped
Sailfin Tangs Systems, Striped
Sailfin Tangs Feeding, Striped
Sailfin Tangs Disease, Striped
Sailfin Tangs Reproduction, & Zebrasomas
I, Yellow Tangs,
Purple Tangs, Surgeons
In General, Selection,
Tang Behavior,
Compatibility, Systems,
Feeding, Disease, | 
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Tang Behavior: Tang
Intelligence 4/11/2009
Hi crew,
<Hi Mani>
My message today is more a comment than a query.
<OK>
I have only recently started focusing more on tangs from the Pacific and
have a turbulent SPS infested 475 litre set up with exclusively tangs
(and one very fat Splendid Mandarin), all thriving and fit.
My comment is on the intelligence shown by many of these species. Of
particular interest is the Sailfin. Not sure of the gender but lets call
him "he".
<Fair enough>
A most observant individual, he spots me from 30 feet away entering the
fish room and usually comes right up to the front for a bit of an
eyeball when I am examining something close up.
<Very common with Tangs.>
His favourite is Nori (seaweed) and when he sees me take a sheet out of
its pack, he heads straight for where the veggie clip is mounted and
acts all excited. He also plays some complex games, having devised an
obstacle course internally among the live rock. He teases his best mate
the Yellow Tang into pursuing him, then dips into a crack in the LR,
disappears and turns up a couple of feet away emerging literally
on his side on the bottom under a large head of LR, *behind *the
unsuspecting Yellow, who remains flabbergasted despite having this done
to him several times a day.
<Also common, I have a Sailfin that plays "tag" with his buddy, an
Ocellaris Clownfish.>
Very interesting character with a range of visible moods shown by the
intensity of his coloration, varying from deep chocolate to pale gold
with blue. I was looking for something on your site relating to
observation
of intelligent behaviour, could you possibly direct me to any such
notes?
<There isn't much out there I'm afraid. A quick Google search did not
turn
up much either, here are a few links
http://www.animalintelligence.org/2007/02/26/fish-capable-of-human-like-logic/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/3189941.stm
http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_intelligence.php >
I am also very keen to keep octopuses, maybe even a "blue ring" one day
<Octopuses are fine in specialized systems, Blue Ringed Octopuses are an
EXTREMELY bad idea. Bites are usually fatal.>
....unfortunately NZ bio-security just wont allow even simple *Pterois
Volitans* into the country!
Meanwhile I am currently setting up a NZ-native biotope, complete with a
tidal pool section. There is some stunning native temperate/sub-tropical
marine life here, and if you are interested I can send some pics once
its up and running.
<Please do!>
Thanks for listening!
Cheers
Mani
<My Pleasure, Mike>
Sailfin Tang I have a 55 gallon tank with a Sailfin Tang, Naso,
Yellow Tang, Foxface, and a Percula Clown. I keep my SG around 1.022. My
PH runs around 8.2, Ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates around 5ppm,temp at
77, and calcium at 400. I add Lugol's iodine once a week, Strontium 2x
week, There is about 35 pounds of live rock with various mushrooms
growing, and a couple of feather dusters that have came out over the
last few days. I vary there diet with frozen brine shrimp plus,
flake foods, organic grown romaine lettuce, and SERA Tablets ( the stick
on the glass ones.) Now that's the specifics on the tank and its
inhabitants now on to the questions. My Sailfin has appeared to
change colors. From black and yellowish stripes to an almost beige or
tan color where they used to be black. Is this normal? Also this morning
I saw him rubbing his head on the substrate (which by the way is
aragonite) and I am wondering the best course of action. i.e. fresh
water dip, medicated flakes etc. I know you gonna ream me out for this,
but I don't have a quarantine tank setup to isolate the Sailfin. But all
be it I'll have one soon...Also any other suggestions would be
appreciated. Thanks, Brian... <<Hmmm, not so fast... the color
changes you mention and the "scratching" behavior may well not be
indicative of a parasitic or other diseased condition... They may be
"natural"... I'd hold off on dipping, any other chemical manipulation
till you actually see some physical manifestation on the fish itself.
One thing I would do that will help, and has little potential downside
is add a cleaner shrimp... one of the species of the genus Lysmata. Bob
Fenner>>
My curious friend Thought you might like to see my new buddy.
He greets me at the top of the water in the two corners of the
vat where he gets fed..... Took him a few days to figure it out,
now I can't get rid of him. Good thing he's not a dog. He literally
sticks his head out of the water to see me....funny to see him turn
sideways, extend his "sails" to full stop, and examine the
terrestrial. Okay, so he's begging, I get to anthropomorphize if
I want. Craig <Very nice. Bob F> My curious friend A
better view.... I bought two, one has better face markings, this
guy is not as pretty, but is more outgoing, adaptable and
intelligent. You know, like Miss America. LOL! <Exactly, Bob F>
Craig |
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