Foxface spiked my Purple Tang

reefpeach · Dec 7, 2022

Gtinnel said:
My tank is a 6’ 125. For me it would depend upon the dimensions of the tank. I think my purple tang is fine long term in my 125 but I also have a 400L tank that is only 41” long and I wouldn’t put one in that tank long term.

Tank is 50"L x 19.5"D x 24"H

reefpeach · Dec 7, 2022

Gtinnel said:
I’ve never kept multiples in one tank so I have no first hand experience but isn’t there often aggression issues between multiple bristletooth tangs?

I've heard to avoid tangs of the same species, so this sounds similiar to what I've heard at least.
At least that's what I've heard from peatrege reefs guide on multiple tangs

Edit: Just seen your reply, makes sense. It's so frustrating, I really really like the purple tangs.

I like the yellow tangs too but I don't feel they are realistic anymore due to their price. Had this been a few years ago my solution would be so much simpler

Aspect · Dec 7, 2022

reefpeach said:
I've heard to avoid tangs of the same species, so this sounds similiar to what I've heard at least.
At least that's what I've heard from peatrege reefs guide on multiple tangs

Edit: Just seen your reply, makes sense. It's so frustrating, I really really like the purple tangs.

I like the yellow tangs too but I don't feel they are realistic anymore due to their price. Had this been a few years ago my solution would be so much simpler

A yellow tang would be better than a Purple and they only get 5-6" max and less bulky than a purple. Plus they are around the same price, some places are selling PTs for $300 now.

reefpeach · Dec 7, 2022

Aspect said:
A yellow tang would be better than a Purple and they only get 5-6" max and less bulky than a purple. Plus they are around the same price, some places are selling PTs for $300 now.

Is that how much PTs are at the moment? My gosh prices are a bit crazy for some tangs...
Unfortunately it drives people to go for less expensive tangs that get far too big because the list of affordable options becomes more narrow.

Looks like our prices here in the UK are a bit different.
PT seem to be around £110 but yellow tangs are fetching North of £300

vetteguy53081 · Dec 7, 2022

I have multiples and my purple is the jerk, but I have 20 with no fighting injury or scars. They do just fine- Its how you introduce them in order of aggression and hiding/cover provided.
Purple should be fine despite sting

reefpeach · Dec 7, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
I have multiples and my purple is the jerk, but I have 20 with no fighting injury or scars. They do just fine- Its how you introduce them in order of aggression and hiding/cover provided.
Purple should be fine despite sting

Not sure how closely you've followed previous comments but what are your opinions on a PT + fox face for a 400L?
(105g) 50"l x 19"D x 24"H.

If so, is it better to opt for more then 2 algae grazers to slip aggression?

Regardless of what I choose...be it a PT or smaller tangs, I'm looking to introduce all as juvs at the same time.

Scape is a BRS negative habitat style, lots of caves and such.

I'm just not as much of a fan of the bristletooths, is that common to feel that way?

Gtinnel · Dec 7, 2022

reefpeach said:
Is that how much PTs are at the moment? My gosh prices are a bit crazy for some tangs...
Unfortunately it drives people to go for less expensive tangs that get far too big because the list of affordable options becomes more narrow.

Looks like our prices here in the UK are a bit different.
PT seem to be around £110 but yellow tangs are fetching North of £300

Where I live you can get purple tangs for around $150. I don’t see YT that often but they’re usually $200ish.

With the dimensions of your tank I would be willing to keep a purple tang and a foxface (preferably 1 spot since they are a little smaller). There is no way to know for sure if you will have aggression problems or not. Being at the minimum tank size won’t help, and purple tangs have the potential to be jerks. I would definitely add the foxface first or add them together, and have a backup plan to get rid of one of them if necessary.

vetteguy53081 · Dec 7, 2022

reefpeach said:
Not sure how closely you've followed previous comments but what are your opinions on a PT + fox face for a 400L?
(105g) 50"l x 19"D x 24"H.

If so, is it better to opt for more then 2 algae grazers to slip aggression?

Regardless of what I choose...be it a PT or smaller tangs, I'm looking to introduce all as juvs at the same time.

Scape is a BRS negative habitat style, lots of caves and such.

I'm just not as much of a fan of the bristletooths, is that common to feel that way?

Im ok with these two together

reefpeach · Dec 9, 2022

vetteguy53081 said:
Im ok with these two together

Do you think I would get away with a tomini tang along with the purple tang and one spot Fox face? Same situation - all added as juvs.

I'm a bit limited to add any others because the larger tang species are too big. The only other tang that is an option is the vampire tang but I hear mixed opinions. Most people say they don't grow more then 9" but in the wild they can grow up to 12".

Tuffloud1 · Dec 9, 2022

reefpeach said:
Do you think I would get away with a tomini tang along with the purple tang and one spot Fox face? Same situation - all added as juvs.

I'm a bit limited to add any others because the larger tang species are too big. The only other tang that is an option is the vampire tang but I hear mixed opinions. Most people say they don't grow more than 9" but in the wild they can grow up to 12".

I have had a Tomini for almost 9 years. 3 years ago, I added a Purple Tang, Convict Tang, Powder Blue Tang, Lieutenant Tang, One Spot Foxface, 2 Blue Throat Triggers all at the same time. They worked it out. A little after that, I added a Flame Hawk, Royal Gramma and 6 Azure Damsels.

The Purple Tang getting speared by the Foxface was a strange event. I never saw any issue with any of the fish after that. And the Purple Tang has grown into a beautiful fish.

The Foxface is one of the most peaceful fish in my tank. I think that the Purple Tang may have ran into his spear by accident. My fish dart all the time when I feed and break my acros, some have even hit the top of my screen so hard that they still managed to knock the screen off and make their way onto the floor. Luckily I heard when that happened and retrieved them without injury.

I will note that all the tangs I added in with my old Tomini were all very small juveniles at that time. Some were the size of a quarter.

vetteguy53081 · Dec 9, 2022

reefpeach said:
Do you think I would get away with a tomini tang along with the purple tang and one spot Fox face? Same situation - all added as juvs.

I'm a bit limited to add any others because the larger tang species are too big. The only other tang that is an option is the vampire tang but I hear mixed opinions. Most people say they don't grow more then 9" but in the wild they can grow up to 12".

I have 20 tangs and have these two together. Purple could not care less about Tomini

Mical · Dec 9, 2022

reefpeach said:
Not sure how closely you've followed previous comments but what are your opinions on a PT + fox face for a 400L?
(105g) 50"l x 19"D x 24"H.

If so, is it better to opt for more then 2 algae grazers to slip aggression?

Regardless of what I choose...be it a PT or smaller tangs, I'm looking to introduce all as juvs at the same time.

Scape is a BRS negative habitat style, lots of caves and such.

I'm just not as much of a fan of the bristletooths, is that common to feel that way?

I wouldn't risk any tang & foxface together. Both algae eaters and fight over territory in a smaller tank as yours. Vettes' tank is 600 gals so space is key. I had a foxface and powder brown tang in a 120g and it was "Battle Royal" within 6 hours both fish were near death when I separated them. I still have the foxface 7 years later.

reefpeach · Dec 9, 2022

Mical said:
I wouldn't risk any tang & foxface together. Both algae eaters and fight over territory in a smaller tank as yours. Vettes' tank is 600 gals so space is key. I had a foxface and powder brown tang in a 120g and it was "Battle Royal" within 6 hours both fish were near death when I separated them. I still have the foxface 7 years later.

I think If I was to choose just one tang for my stockist, then I'll likely opt for a purple tang.

What other options do I have for larger fish that won't compete for algae territory, perhaps a good sized wrasse?

Just interested in what a one tang only stock list would look like for a 105g (400L) tank.

So far this is a rough idea of a few fish I'd like but I'm interested in reef safe fish that are decent size. Not looking for anything monstrous, 5+ inches but no bigger then 8/9".

Purple Tang
Davincci clown pair
Purple Firefish

Mical · Dec 10, 2022

reefpeach said:
I think If I was to choose just one tang for my stockist, then I'll likely opt for a purple tang.

What other options do I have for larger fish that won't compete for algae territory, perhaps a good sized wrasse?

Just interested in what a one tang only stock list would look like for a 105g (400L) tank.

So far this is a rough idea of a few fish I'd like but I'm interested in reef safe fish that are decent size. Not looking for anything monstrous, 5+ inches but no bigger then 8/9".

Purple Tang
Davincci clown pair
Purple Firefish

Is this a reef tank or fish only?

reefpeach · Dec 10, 2022

Mical said:
Is this a reef tank or fish only?

Mixed Reef tank

MurrayWillitts · Jun 27, 2023

I just added a foxface to my tank yesterday and immediately my purple tang went after the foxface who was already stressed out being introduced to the tank. I found the foxface on the floor from being chased and jumping.

after getting fox off floor and back to tank where he sank but still breathing got harassed again by tang. He got beat up pretty good but ended up in corner and lights went out. Next morning, he was still in corner and looking less stressed but still being hassled. Fast forward to today and he isn't being hassled which i assume the fox gave it back to the tang. Still not in great shape from tangs damage. Tore the tail open and a few other wounds.

Hoping things settle down !

jmichaelh7 · Jun 28, 2023

Fox faces can be a bully . Mine was doing the same to my Midas. He would get close and then flare up his fins to spike him. I don’t get it

MurrayWillitts · Jul 14, 2023

MurrayWillitts said:
I just added a foxface to my tank yesterday and immediately my purple tang went after the foxface who was already stressed out being introduced to the tank. I found the foxface on the floor from being chased and jumping.

after getting fox off floor and back to tank where he sank but still breathing got harassed again by tang. He got beat up pretty good but ended up in corner and lights went out. Next morning, he was still in corner and looking less stressed but still being hassled. Fast forward to today and he isn't being hassled which i assume the fox gave it back to the tang. Still not in great shape from tangs damage. Tore the tail open and a few other wounds.

Hoping things settle down !