adding tangs

**jelly** · 10-09-2011, 05:18 PM

i got a 180 and i would like to add a purple tang. right now i have a sailfin and a yellow tang. if i added a purple would they fight. other fish is a 6 line, mandrin, goby, and 2 maroon clowns.

**Murfman** · 10-09-2011, 05:29 PM

Use and intro box that is made of clear acrylic. Let him sit there a few days and let the other fish get used to him. It will cut down on aggression.

**el richie** · 10-09-2011, 05:46 PM

Totally agree with murf

**FishLipz** · 10-09-2011, 06:02 PM

Yeah, if you have one do it. Next best bet would be moving your rockwork around a bit to change up territories.

**Rockadile** · 10-09-2011, 06:20 PM

introduce it at night when lights are off. how big is the new tang compared to the current ones? I recently added a small tang to my tank that has a larger one. and there was no aggresion at all even them being the same species. My best guess is because the one i added was so much smaller then the other it posed no threat.

**Reef lvr** · 10-09-2011, 06:39 PM

Should be fine just make it your last tang addition lol or make sure there is a good size difference after the purple. Good luck.. I have one for sale drive over!! Haha

**fish&corals** · 10-09-2011, 07:49 PM

agree with murf .. or when the lights are off but you have to beware of adding a tang that is the same shape too that will cause a fight .. i have a dominate 180 tang tank .. i have a powder blue a lavender tang .. powder brown tang .. hawaiian yellow tang .. tomini tang

**harlequinreefer** · 10-12-2011, 12:00 AM

Adding a tang of the same type will cause territory issues, so adding a purple tang that is larger than your yellow or sailfin will help. Other things that will help your chances: introduce more than one tang, add when lights are off, keep fish well fed, keep temperature below 80, and change up rockwork if possible. Be prepared for the aggression, illness can breakout if the tangs are fighting and stressed.

**redemer123** · 10-12-2011, 12:14 AM

They are all zebrasomas so it is highly likely there will be some aggression going on there. unless added at the same time I dont think adding tangs of the same body type is a real good idea. Not to say it cant and hasnt worked. Changing up the rock work to screw up territories like previously suggested may help.

**Bernie** · 10-21-2011, 10:27 AM

All great advice that has worked for me. I had a large yellow and introduced a purple tang, in the dark and doubled the nori, there are some aggression issues, but I haven't seen any signs of stress or physical damage. I upgraded to a 180, and took the opportunity to add a regal and an Atlantic blue tang to the mix. I'm still aquascaping, so now I've got new tank with no territories... add while the lights are off, double the nori again and everyone seems nice and happy.

**kingfisherfleshy** · 10-21-2011, 11:10 AM

Box will work...but purples are pretty feisty. I bet he holds his own.

I have also had experiences of adding smaller tanks to setups with established tanks (including purples) where they did okay based on the fact that they were able to go in places the other tangs couldnt.

The worst sort of aggression among tangs I feel is over places to sleep, and size differential helps with that and the ability to get away when aggression does arise.