Tang Aggression - Understanding and Combating

[Luis1992]

That’s a small number is tangs in a tank that size, is it lightly stocked otherwise? Other fish provide a nice distraction for aggressive tangs. With large tanks and few tangs it’s easier to “defend territory” and so they’re more likely to do so.

Removal is unlikely to solve the problem, try mirrors. Is any damage being done? How long has this been going on? What is the size of the three tangs?

Adding one tang at a time can end this well especially with those other risk factors. :(


Good luck!! :)

I might try the mirror trick as well. What kind of mirror do you guys use and how do you hang them?

 

[PhantomHalo]

That’s a small number is tangs in a tank that size, is it lightly stocked otherwise? Other fish provide a nice distraction for aggressive tangs. With large tanks and few tangs it’s easier to “defend territory” and so they’re more likely to do so.

Removal is unlikely to solve the problem, try mirrors. Is any damage being done? How long has this been going on? What is the size of the three tangs?

Adding one tang at a time can end this well especially with those other risk factors. :(


Good luck!! :)

I have 3 triggers, 2 clowns, 1 angel, 4 wrasses that have been in there for a while, and a diamond goby I put in there too last night (although he jumped while acclimating him out of a little hole and I didn’t find him for a few minutes. So not sure if he made it or not. He was swimming after I put him in.). I will try the mirrors if I can find one.
The three tangs are all 4-5”. It’s just been going on since last night/this morning. I just put him in last night when the lights went out. No damage so far that I can see, but the desi is just hanging out in the corners until the powder brown makes a lap and back to it again.

 

[4FordFamily]

I have 3 triggers, 2 clowns, 1 angel, 4 wrasses that have been in there for a while, and a diamond goby I put in there too last night (although he jumped while acclimating him out of a little hole and I didn’t find him for a few minutes. So not sure if he made it or not. He was swimming after I put him in.). I will try the mirrors if I can find one.
The three tangs are all 4-5”. It’s just been going on since last night/this morning. I just put him in last night when the lights went out. No damage so far that I can see, but the desi is just hanging out in the corners until the powder brown makes a lap and back to it again.

It MAY subside, but acanthurus tangs can hold permanent grudges. No damage is a good sign...

 

[PhantomHalo]

Would it help to add another tang to distract him more? I.e. he would be chasing 3 instead of two around.

 

[4FordFamily]

Would it help to add another tang to distract him more? I.e. he would be chasing 3 instead of two around.

Theoretically, though it would be a parasite risk if you don't QT it and the others.

 

[Chuckc mi]

I would like to add 2 or three yellow tangs or other combination of zebrasomas to a 180 that has a purple tang and powder brown the purple is a bit aggressive when it comes to eating if I tried would it be best to get tangs that are smaller than him or larger

 

[4FordFamily]

I would like to add 2 or three yellow tangs or other combination of zebrasomas to a 180 that has a purple tang and powder brown the purple is a bit aggressive when it comes to eating if I tried would it be best to get tangs that are smaller than him or larger

It is a risk, but it may work. Tough to tell. Mixing zebrasoma would be more advisable.

 

[PhantomHalo]

Theoretically, though it would be a parasite risk if you don't QT it and the others.

True, however my local pet store has a scopas tang that has been in their tanks for a few months now. Not really my choice if favorite tangs, but if it would help take the attention away from my desi it may be worth it.

 

[Chuckc mi]

Should the yellow tangs be smaller than purple tang?

 

[PhantomHalo]

It MAY subside, but acanthurus tangs can hold permanent grudges. No damage is a good sign...

I take it back. Now there is a hook looking mark on the side of the kole and the fins on the desi are starting to look ragged.

 

[4FordFamily]

Should the yellow tangs be smaller than purple tang?

Probably, yes!

 

[Chuckc mi]

Thank you

 

[PhantomHalo]

Caught him! Now he’s going into my QT tank while the other two get settled. How long do you think he should stay out? I’m going to move a couple of rocks around that aren’t stuck together too.

 

[4FordFamily]

Caught him! Now he’s going into my QT tank while the other two get settled. How long do you think he should stay out? I’m going to move a couple of rocks around that aren’t stuck together too.

A couple of weeks? A week at a minimum.

 

[svogun]

I had luck with mirrors and an acclimation box

 

[PhantomHalo]

A couple of weeks? A week at a minimum.

Yeah, I was thinking 2-3 weeks. Let the others heal and move some rock work around. I was only able to move a couple because the majority of them are glued together. Hopefully this will be enough. I tried the mirror thing, but he wouldn’t pay any attention to it. Should I add another new tang at the same time when I re-introduce the powder brown?

 

[4FordFamily]

Yeah, I was thinking 2-3 weeks. Let the others heal and move some rock work around. I was only able to move a couple because the majority of them are glued together. Hopefully this will be enough. I tried the mirror thing, but he wouldn’t pay any attention to it. Should I add another new tang at the same time when I re-introduce the powder brown?

If you have the real estate, you can. It may not work, and if not quarantined your risk of disease grenading everything are higher. Strictly from an aggression standpoint, it may help.

 

[PhantomHalo]

If you have the real estate, you can. It may not work, and if not quarantined your risk of disease grenading everything are higher. Strictly from an aggression standpoint, it may help.

I have a 300 gal 6x3x3 ish. Do you think I have the real estate or do you think I’ll run into more problems? I wanted to put a powder blue in there too, but at this point I’m not so sure that is a good idea. I would qt the new one of course and introduce with the powder brown at the same time.

 

[4FordFamily]

I have a 300 gal 6x3x3 ish. Do you think I have the real estate or do you think I’ll run into more problems? I wanted to put a powder blue in there too, but at this point I’m not so sure that is a good idea. I would qt the new one of course and introduce with the powder brown at the same time.

That may be asking for trouble unfortunately.

 

[PhantomHalo]

Okay, I guess I’ll have to be happy with these three if I can get them to get along. So...no to a yellow tang too? Thank you!