Tang Aggression - Understanding and Combating

[dustinc]

thanks for the feedback

 

[buruskeee]

I wonder if there’s something underlying with the tang. It isn’t very common for fish to get along for a while and then suddenly “break up”. It’s possible, but I’m wondering if the fish has underlying issues. I’d nurse it back to health and get it good and fat and you can try adding it back. Try an acclimation box and if they single it out there - rehoming may be best

A year ago it did get the weird red blotches on its sides (folks suggested it’s bacterial) that many yellow tang owners have seen before.

A few months after that it’s swimming became a little wonky where it works a bit harder to swim (nose points up a bit). My guess is my cutting of feeding, along with it using more calories than others, caused it to get skinny and be more prone to getting bullied.

 

[4FordFamily]

A year ago it did get the weird red blotches on its sides (folks suggested it’s bacterial) that many yellow tang owners have seen before.

A few months after that it’s swimming became a little wonky where it works a bit harder to swim (nose points up a bit). My guess is my cutting of feeding, along with it using more calories than others, caused it to get skinny and be more prone to getting bullied.

That is certainly possible. As a side note, those red blotches on zebrasoma tangs (most noticeable on yellow tangs) are often caused by sudden salinity changes (most often caused by water changes). They usually heal up fine, but it illustrates the importance of matching the salinity for water changes.

 

[buruskeee]

That is certainly possible. As a side note, those red blotches on zebrasoma tangs (most noticeable on yellow tangs) are often caused by sudden salinity changes (most often caused by water changes). They usually heal up fine, but it illustrates the importance of matching the salinity for water changes.

Hmm this is good to know, although I have an ATO and my salinity only ever differs by 1ppt in a 20% water change (if it’s mixed 1ppt too low, I add a little extra and it evaps, and vice versa if too high) so it’s maybe a 0.2ppt change at most during WCs.

Do you happen to know what it’s called? Everywhere I e asked, everyone always surmised it to being “some sort of bacteria infection” lol.

Yeah, if I remember right, it took about 2 weeks to clear.

Wow, found a pic when it had it (Nov ‘24) and looking at this pic, it used to be the middle sized one, now it’s the smallest and still the same size as this pic. Wonder if it’s related.

 

[4FordFamily]

That does look different and could well have been bacterial! :)

 

[LiquidSpace]

Everything went fine with my addition. There was one hiccup, I was sent an Orange Shoulder instead of the Lieutenant and I already have a juvenile Orange shoulder.

They seem to be fine though.

 

[4FordFamily]

Everything went fine with my addition. There was one hiccup, I was sent an Orange Shoulder instead of the Lieutenant and I already have a juvenile Orange shoulder.

They seem to be fine though.

Great to hear! Orange shoulder are less aggressive than many acanthus tangs and thus can often handle conspecifics.

Their relationship could get rockier as the juvenile reaches maturity, but I have seen two coexist just fine many times.

Quick story that is almost unbelievable - a couple of months ago, I decided to try a clown tang with my established, larger sohal tang. I had a backup plan, but it was not needed. The two were completely disinterested in one another.

These are commonly doubted as the most aggressive acanthurus tangs and they are very closely related which increases risk as well.

Unfortunately, the clown tang did not start eating for almost a week and ended up not making it. But even as a weekend, it was never bullied by my large sohal. I have long maintained that sohal nor clown tangs are quite as aggressive as their reputation suggests. I still firmly believe no tangs are more aggressive than the powder blue and Achilles tang. I will say that as they mature, clown and sohal can be more aggressive.

More on topic, glad to hear things are going well for you!

 

[LiquidSpace]

Great to hear! Orange shoulder are less aggressive than many acanthus tangs and thus can often handle conspecifics.

Their relationship could get rockier as the juvenile reaches maturity, but I have seen two coexist just fine many times.

Quick story that is almost unbelievable - a couple of months ago, I decided to try a clown tang with my established, larger sohal tang. I had a backup plan, but it was not needed. The two were completely disinterested in one another.

These are commonly doubted as the most aggressive acanthurus tangs and they are very closely related which increases risk as well.

Unfortunately, the clown tang did not start eating for almost a week and ended up not making it. But even as a weekend, it was never bullied by my large sohal. I have long maintained that sohal nor clown tangs are quite as aggressive as their reputation suggests. I still firmly believe no tangs are more aggressive than the powder blue and Achilles tang. I will say that as they mature, clown and sohal can be more aggressive.

More on topic, glad to hear things are going well for you!

Is there ever an issue with Orange Shoulder and Lieutenants?

 

[4FordFamily]

Is there ever an issue with Orange Shoulder and Lieutenants?

Ever yes, common? Not particularly. But each animal is different. It’s always somewhat of a risk :)

 

[Pmj]

Hi, looking for advice. 5 foot tank 112g. Have a Yellow Tang and added a PBT and Foxface over a month ago. I know it’s smallish but was hoping those would be my 3 big fish.

Have had the Yellow Tang for years and was really worried about the YT and PBT fighting. I did a tank divider for 3 days and a mirror a few days. They squabbled at first but seem perfectly fine.

The problem now is the PBT has taken to bullying the Foxface. He kinda just pesters him and swims at him real fast, especially when lights either first come on or when they’re shutting down, and often when I come close to the tank. Haven’t really seen him tail fighting like the him and the YT did at first. Everyone still eats like great and no real damage I have seen yet. I’ve been watching a few days and am worried about things escalating.

I’m worried even if I rehomed the Foxface, he would bully someone else, and the right answer is rehome the PBT. I haven’t pulled out the mirror again but I should do that. Thoughts?

 

[4FordFamily]

Hi, looking for advice. 5 foot tank 112g. Have a Yellow Tang and added a PBT and Foxface over a month ago. I know it’s smallish but was hoping those would be my 3 big fish.

Have had the Yellow Tang for years and was really worried about the YT and PBT fighting. I did a tank divider for 3 days and a mirror a few days. They squabbled at first but seem perfectly fine.

The problem now is the PBT has taken to bullying the Foxface. He kinda just pesters him and swims at him real fast, especially when lights either first come on or when they’re shutting down, and often when I come close to the tank. Haven’t really seen him tail fighting like the him and the YT did at first. Everyone still eats like great and no real damage I have seen yet. I’ve been watching a few days and am worried about things escalating.

I’m worried even if I rehomed the Foxface, he would bully someone else, and the right answer is rehome the PBT. I haven’t pulled out the mirror again but I should do that. Thoughts?

This is a tough call. It’s common for PBT to chase, to assert dominance (in a fish way). It can escalate, but it may also just stay relatively low impact. A PBT in a 5 foot tank is dangerous as they like more side to side space (arbitrarily we say 6 feet but bigger is better). They’re so active that they can take frustration out when they don’t have enough space.

To be fair, PBT can be aggressive for no apparent reason (and often are). I’d monitor it. It’s definitely the fish I would rehome if I am choosing. Despite their beauty, they are a real pain sometimes!

 

[Pmj]

This is a tough call. It’s common for PBT to chase, to assert dominance (in a fish way). It can escalate, but it may also just stay relatively low impact. A PBT in a 5 foot tank is dangerous as they like more side to side space (arbitrarily we say 6 feet but bigger is better). They’re so active that they can take frustration out when they don’t have enough space.

To be fair, PBT can be aggressive for no apparent reason (and often are). I’d monitor it. It’s definitely the fish I would rehome if I am choosing. Despite their beauty, they are a real pain sometimes!

Thanks for the feedback. It’s tough to watch as the Foxface just kinda hides or freezes up defensive position with the spikes out. They are very friendly ime. Had one before with the YT that went carpet surfing. New tank has a lid.

The original plan was the YT, Foxface and like a Kole or Whitetail, but decided to risk it. Will keep monitoring.

 

[ReefED!]

PBT's are just jerks when they get bigger in the tank.

Yeah you can start small and have a model citizen for a while - my PBT was a saint for the first year because it lived with established, and much larger, Yellow Tang and Kole tang.

But when it got bigger it started bullying anyone knew that would show up - such as a blenny or a wrasse.

And like many before me, and many in the future, I ignored the experience of others and thought "I'll just get it small and keep different tangs - I have a bigger tank, surely these stories are from people overstocking their 60 cube"

 

[Pseudodiego]

I’ve read that Powder Blue Tangs can be very aggressive toward new tank additions. Is this aggression reduced if they are not the dominant fish? I plan to keep an Emperor Angelfish and would like to know whether it could help keep the PBT in check, or if I should expect the PBT to harass any fish added after it.

Tank is 6 x 3 x 2.

Thanks.

 

[4FordFamily]

I’ve read that Powder Blue Tangs can be very aggressive toward new tank additions. Is this aggression reduced if they are not the dominant fish? I plan to keep an Emperor Angelfish and would like to know whether it could help keep the PBT in check, or if I should expect the PBT to harass any fish added after it.

Tank is 6 x 3 x 2.

Thanks.

The short answer is it depends. Sometimes if they’re not the dominant fish it can help, yes. However if they’re the dominant tang, it can be the same difference. It’s always a risk!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’ve read that Powder Blue Tangs can be very aggressive toward new tank additions. Is this aggression reduced if they are not the dominant fish? I plan to keep an Emperor Angelfish and would like to know whether it could help keep the PBT in check, or if I should expect the PBT to harass any fish added after it.

Tank is 6 x 3 x 2.

Thanks.

Every fish has their own disposition but in whole they are often very nasty and uninviting

 

[Dave-T]

I have one, along with a yellow tang, a gem tang and an orange shoulder tang. The gem is the dominant fish, but my PBT harasses every new addition sometimes to death.

 

[ReefED!]

PBT's are unique in that they will often harass new fish that aren't even tangs - they'll harass wrasses and other smaller fish.

And of course they'll harass things like Copperbands and Angelfish.

Most non-powder tangs don't do this, in my experience, at least bristles and zebrasomas.

 

[Pseudodiego]

Hi,

I had ruled out the idea, but my wife really wants a Powder Blue Tang for our 250-gallon tank. My concern is that I’m planning to add an Emperor Angelfish and a Flame Angelfish once our SPS corals have grown out. I might also add a Yellow Tang if their prices ever drop here in Europe.
How difficult would it be to introduce those fish into a tank where a Powder Blue Tang is already established?

Thanks.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi,

I had ruled out the idea, but my wife really wants a Powder Blue Tang for our 250-gallon tank. My concern is that I’m planning to add an Emperor Angelfish and a Flame Angelfish once our SPS corals have grown out. I might also add a Yellow Tang if their prices ever drop here in Europe.
How difficult would it be to introduce those fish into a tank where a Powder Blue Tang is already established?

Thanks.

Guaranteed to be a nightmare occupant