Is this tang aggression or mating?

willc1 · Jan 20, 2025

I recently added a small purple tang to my 75g that also has a small scopas (Not forever tank for either of them) and in just the past 12 hours they have been going after it a ton to the point where fins are already noticeable nipped. I plan on separating them but would like on an opinion if I should be concerned or not.

note: the scopas was with a similarly sized yellow tang for over 2 years and had ZERO issues whatsoever

Jay Hemdal · Jan 20, 2025

willc1 said:
I recently added a small purple tang to my 75g that also has a small scopas (Not forever tank for either of them) and in just the past 12 hours they have been going after it a ton to the point where fins are already noticeable nipped. I plan on separating them but would like on an opinion if I should be concerned or not.

note: the scopas was with a similarly sized yellow tang for over 2 years and had ZERO issues whatsoever

That does look like aggression. The trouble is that Zebrasoma tangs have sharp scalpels, and if one gets a lucky hit on the other, it could cause a serious wound.

There is a "mirror trick" that you could try:

Mirror trick for Powder Blue Tang aggression. Worked like a charm!!!

Yesterday we picked up a Foxface to put in the FOWLR tank. This is the last fish that will be added to this tank. It is also the first fish that has been added since adding our Powder Blue Tang. I know, I know, should have added the tang last. After adding the FF the PBT was NOT happy about it...

www.reef2reef.com

willc1 · Jan 20, 2025

Jay Hemdal said:
That does look like aggression. The trouble is that Zebrasoma tangs have sharp scalpels, and if one gets a lucky hit on the other, it could cause a serious wound.

There is a "mirror trick" that you could try:

Mirror trick for Powder Blue Tang aggression. Worked like a charm!!!

Yesterday we picked up a Foxface to put in the FOWLR tank. This is the last fish that will be added to this tank. It is also the first fish that has been added since adding our Powder Blue Tang. I know, I know, should have added the tang last. After adding the FF the PBT was NOT happy about it...

www.reef2reef.com

Thank you so much! I just put up some mirrors now, I read great things about it but if this does not fix my issue and I end up needing to remove a tang (probably the Scopas who is the aggressor, and i like the purple better lol), say I swap the scopas for a fish like a sailfin tang do u think the problem would persist? Or would I be better off just waiting until I get my tank a bit more full of fish (Only clown pair, 1 chromis, and cardinal + tangs mentioned as of now). Appreciate your help!

littlefoxx · Jan 20, 2025

willc1 said:
Thank you so much! I just put up some mirrors now, I read great things about it but if this does not fix my issue and I end up needing to remove a tang (probably the Scopas who is the aggressor, and i like the purple better lol), say I swap the scopas for a fish like a sailfin tang do u think the problem would persist? Or would I be better off just waiting until I get my tank a bit more full of fish (Only clown pair, 1 chromis, and cardinal + tangs mentioned as of now). Appreciate your help!

100% will be worse with a sailfin. They are mean and get the size of a dinner plate fast. Way too big for a 75. Purple is pushing it too honestly, had an adult purple in my 70 for a month to observe and he was so angry with how cramped he was. Fine when I moved him to a 6 foot tank. Probably will need to upgrade in the future if you keep the purple.

willc1 · Jan 20, 2025

Yes I more then aware about the tank size situation, I grow out the tangs in this tank from about a size of a quarter to roughly about the size of a computer mouse before moving them. Never had any experience with sailfins personally so thank you

littlefoxx said:
100% will be worse with a sailfin. They are mean and get the size of a dinner plate fast. Way too big for a 75. Purple is pushing it too honestly, had an adult purple in my 70 for a month to observe and he was so angry with how cramped he was. Fine when I moved him to a 6 foot tank. Probably will need to upgrade in the future if you keep the purple.

littlefoxx · Jan 20, 2025

willc1 said:
Yes I more then aware about the tank size situation, I grow out the tangs in this tank from about a size of a quarter to roughly about the size of a computer mouse before moving them. Never had any experience with sailfins personally so thank you

Ah cool! Thats awesome. But yeah sailfins are nasty when they are big. My 7-8 inch one was such an ****** I couldnt add any fish with him in there. Unfortunately lost him after having to QT my fish after a hippo brought ich in the tank a few months back, but man he would even try to mess with my eels. They would bite him and he still tried to tail strake them. Pain in my butt he was! But so beautiful. I will be getting another just will be the last fish I add lol or get a baby vs an adult