i heard a clicking from in my tank, so i turned on the lights after several hours of darkness,i found that my pistol was clicking at a nassarius snail. but i also found my sailfin tang in his usual sleeping spot, but against the wall. i know they slleep, but he was in a wierd position, so i gently coaxed him out to watch him go rite down to laying against the glass on the sand. is he just groggy from getting woken up, or is there something wrong with him. he seems to be improving, but very slowly (lights have been on ten minutes,now hes hovering just off the bottom). he hasnt lost color, and upon catching him and closly inspecting him i cant see any visual external problems. he was fine and eating today, and since i got him 2 weeks ago. any help or reassurance is apreciated, i love this fish

If in the morning he is swimming he is sleeping. Mine dropped color at night and would sleep in funny spots.

My favorite fish Anyway, I'm pretty sure he's fine. I'm no expert, but I've had a couple in the past that would do the same thing. I hope you know how big they get!

ok, thanks. but has anyone ever woken one up from his or her sleep? he is kinda swimming now, but keeps ending up i weird places because of the current i thing. hes also breathing sorta quickly. this is my first attepmt at a tang, ive newer had a fish that slept, or more accurately, actually went to a semi visible spot and passed out, my coris buries himself in the same spot every night, and my clowns just sim in place. this guy though, hes got me flippin out man.

Is there any way you could post a picture or two?

yup im aware of their imenent hugeness, my lfs has two that are massive, they want 150 a peice. this guy is a little baby, hes maybe 2 inches long. i know the tang police will kill me for this, but at the moment hes in my bc29,because i got him for free, but i have my christmas present in the garage already, a reef ready 110 i scored off craigslist for $200, so in two or three months, hell get lost in his new home. i guess well see how hes doing tommorow, if hes still acting wierd, ill get pics for sure.

I know fish sometime get shocked/ blacked out with different schedule lightning . especially from darkest to brightest. Just like us in the dark room and suddenly open the window and let sunshine in. we have eyelid to protect your eyes from bright light, while fish don't.
Beside your fish is young also, they are easily get scared.
Don't catch him which can stress him more, and monitor him.

I've kept them in small tanks before (20-40 gallons) and don't see anything wrong with it (as long as you know when to move them). I second what the other guy said: just leave him be and monitor.

here comes the science, fwiw

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature2