Swallowtail Angel Question

[hdsoftail1065]

I'm getting ready to pull trigger on a Swallowtail. I have been reading up on this species. I stumbled across this in an article this morning and now I'm looking for feedback. I currently have 4 lyretail's, one of which is almost fully transitioned. I also plan to add a couple of tangs at the end of my stocking. Will I be making a mistake? Should I pass? Please share your experiences. :)

Be careful not to mix swallowtail angels with fish that are outwardly more aggressive. They can, and most certainly will, be dominated by larger aggressors. Such aggressive fish would include triggerfish, large angelfish, and most surgeonfish. Likewise, thought should be given prior to introducing any additional planktivores, like Anthias species, with the swallowtails.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I have a swallowtail that I introduced after two tangs: a purple and a white tail bristletooth. The tangs did harrass the swallowtail for the first week. I provided a small piece of 2" PVC in the display so the angel had a place of refuge. The tangs never were aggressive to the point of injuring the angel and everything settled down after the first week. There is no remaining hostility between the three.

I afterwards introduced a half dozen bimac anthias into the DT and there were zero issues with the swallowtail.

 

[Johnson556]

I have a swallowtail with 5 tangs (3x yellow & 2x purple) and a bunch of Anthias/Wrasse. Fish is great, have never had an issue. Will be adding a male in the next week or two.

 

[wesman42]

They're the absolute bottom of the aggression totem pole. They're the most easily beat up, picked on.

Even my Foxface slaps my Lamarck's around. More like chases away, for some reason.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I appreciate the feed back @Sierra_Bravo and @Johnson556!!

 

[hdsoftail1065]

They're the absolute bottom of the aggression totem pole. They're the most easily beat up, picked on.

Even my Foxface slaps my Lamarck's around. More like chases away, for some reason.

Thank you!

 

[andrewkw]

I got my swallowtail at the same time as a blue throat trigger. They were both in a small 10g together. Towards the end of qt I did end up having to separate them as she stopped eating. A week or 2 later I introduced both to my display and they have been fine since (Novemeber 2018). She gets along fine with the 2 tangs I have in the tank as well.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I got my swallowtail at the same time as a blue throat trigger. They were both in a small 10g together. Towards the end of qt I did end up having to separate them as she stopped eating. A week or 2 later I introduced both to my display and they have been fine since (Novemeber 2018). She gets along fine with the 2 tangs I have in the tank as well.

Nice! Thank you!

 

[Thaxxx]

I have a female in a 75 gal. with my Yellow Eyed Kole Tang. The tang won't leave her alone. Not in a bad way. He follows her every where. They even sleep in the same cave at night. She reminds me of my high school days. I chased them, and they didn't even know I was there!
:p

 

[ngoodermuth]

I had a Lamarck’s that ruled the tank, pushed everyone else around and badgered any fish I tried to add after her. And, I feel like I see genicanthus in tanks with tangs pretty often?

Being that the angel is going in first- before the tangs, I don’t see why you couldn’t give it a try? Just give her some time to settle in fully before the next fish intros..

 

[lobo_te_come]

I just introduced a Swallowtail Angel to my Peninsula 200g display tank and my Powder Blue Tang has been harassing it all evening. Non-stop. Was overly aggressive at first, slowed down a bit, but he continues to persist. The Powder Blue Tang was the biggest in the tank until today's arrival of the Swallowtail Angel. Its as if the size of the Swallowtail being bigger is driving the Powder Blue absolutely mad. He's furious. Up to know, the Powder Blue has caused no issues or agression in my tank I guess because he's been the biggest fish in my tank so far. I'd say the Powder Blue is roughly 4" and today's Swallowtail is 5". I have 4 Tangs currently in the tank who've been doing ok together (Powder Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, Tomini Tang, recently a Baby Hippo Tang - Dory). But today's arrival of the Swallowtail Angle has ignited him. Part of me is concerned to go to bed with all the lights out 'cause he might just bully him to death by the morning. The Swallowtail Angel is swimming fine though. Its just being pestered nonstop. For those on this thread who mentioned they have the Swallowtai with other Tangs, does anyone have him in a tank with a Powder Blue Tang? And who in the tank first, and who was bigger when the other arrived and how big are they now?

Also, when do I throw in the towel to see if this aggression will stop or not to avoid the Swallowtail from being bullied to death? @

Johnson556 @hdsoftail1065 @Sierra_Bravo​

 

[Zionas]

If you add 2 smaller females does 1 usually end up transitioning to male?

 

[Reeferbadness]

I've had one in my 200g for about 1.5 years. Tank mates include Foxface, large (forgot name) tang, Gem Tang and a few smaller fish. Not a lot of agression in general in this tank and all good so far

 

[bradreef]

I just introduced a Swallowtail Angel to my Peninsula 200g display tank and my Powder Blue Tang has been harassing it all evening. Non-stop. Was overly aggressive at first, slowed down a bit, but he continues to persist. The Powder Blue Tang was the biggest in the tank until today's arrival of the Swallowtail Angel. Its as if the size of the Swallowtail being bigger is driving the Powder Blue absolutely mad. He's furious. Up to know, the Powder Blue has caused no issues or agression in my tank I guess because he's been the biggest fish in my tank so far. I'd say the Powder Blue is roughly 4" and today's Swallowtail is 5". I have 4 Tangs currently in the tank who've been doing ok together (Powder Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, Tomini Tang, recently a Baby Hippo Tang - Dory). But today's arrival of the Swallowtail Angle has ignited him. Part of me is concerned to go to bed with all the lights out 'cause he might just bully him to death by the morning. The Swallowtail Angel is swimming fine though. Its just being pestered nonstop. For those on this thread who mentioned they have the Swallowtai with other Tangs, does anyone have him in a tank with a Powder Blue Tang? And who in the tank first, and who was bigger when the other arrived and how big are they now?

Also, when do I throw in the towel to see if this aggression will stop or not to avoid the Swallowtail from being bullied to death? @

Johnson556 @hdsoftail1065 @Sierra_Bravo​

You could try a mirror or rearrange some rock. Powder blues can be relentless and might not stop.

 

[Zionas]

@Reeferbadness Hi what are the smaller fish you have and how many fish in total? Thanks. Just to get an idea of the bioload.

 

[Reeferbadness]

@Reeferbadness Hi what are the smaller fish you have and how many fish in total? Thanks. Just to get an idea of the bioload.

i have a pajama cardinal, sleeper goby and a young Australian Stripey. Still some room for more ...... will likely add a nice wrasse in the next couple of months then keep things like they are. Bioload isn't an issue in this tank at the moment - i actually have to dose Nitrates to keep them from going to 0.00.

 

[Zionas]

@Reeferbadness That sounds like a good way. Do you mean the Wrasse will be your final fish to cap off your fish list?

 

[Reeferbadness]

@Reeferbadness That sounds like a good way. Do you mean the Wrasse will be your final fish to cap off your fish list?

Probably for a while. I also forgot that i have 1 x Black / White spot Damsel in the main display and 1 of the same in the sump (jail). They would both be in the sump if only i could catch the evil damsel in the display - terrible mistake adding those.... they are super aggrissize to anyone the same size or smaller.

 

[argiBK]

I just introduced a Swallowtail Angel to my Peninsula 200g display tank and my Powder Blue Tang has been harassing it all evening. Non-stop. Was overly aggressive at first, slowed down a bit, but he continues to persist. The Powder Blue Tang was the biggest in the tank until today's arrival of the Swallowtail Angel. Its as if the size of the Swallowtail being bigger is driving the Powder Blue absolutely mad. He's furious. Up to know, the Powder Blue has caused no issues or agression in my tank I guess because he's been the biggest fish in my tank so far. I'd say the Powder Blue is roughly 4" and today's Swallowtail is 5". I have 4 Tangs currently in the tank who've been doing ok together (Powder Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, Tomini Tang, recently a Baby Hippo Tang - Dory). But today's arrival of the Swallowtail Angle has ignited him. Part of me is concerned to go to bed with all the lights out 'cause he might just bully him to death by the morning. The Swallowtail Angel is swimming fine though. Its just being pestered nonstop. For those on this thread who mentioned they have the Swallowtai with other Tangs, does anyone have him in a tank with a Powder Blue Tang? And who in the tank first, and who was bigger when the other arrived and how big are they now?

Also, when do I throw in the towel to see if this aggression will stop or not to avoid the Swallowtail from being bullied to death? @

Johnson556 @hdsoftail1065 @Sierra_Bravo​

PBTs are on my list of fish that need a plan that builds up to them as the final (or near final) addition to any tank. At any size, they more-often-than-not arrive with lots of bully potential, and, they quickly establish the tank as their territory that must be “defended” from newcomers. They’re just pre-disposed to being punks, unless you have another fish that can stand up to them.

You can sump the tang for a week or two and change the rockwork and then try to re-introduce him. Not a guarantee to work, but it will give the Swallowtail some time to recover and establish itself.

 

[Zionas]

@Reeferbadness Are your Damsels the Dascyllus? They get big, ugly, and mean as heck. Sounds like a good plan though, healthy fish > crowded tank.

What’s the other Tang you have, not your Gem? Maybe post a pic and someone here can ID it.