Tang Aggression - Understanding and Combating

[4FordFamily]

Lights out and a mirror have seemed to calm him down a little. We'll see how long it lasts. I think our new plan is to re-home the sailfin with the guy getting us the blonde. And instead of a blonde, we'll do 2-3 yellows at the same time and then maybe/hopefully a PBT later. That would give us 2-3 yellows and a PBT and that'd be it for Tangs. I assume that's about the max for a 180, 6ft tank.
We absolutely love the foxface and marine betta and aren't getting rid of them. We'd probably be maxed out on larger fish at that point and look to add some small/medium fish.
What do you think @4FordFamily ?

I would not do two zebrasoma tangs, I'd advise 3 different. It's a lot but it can be done with good nutrient export.

 

[jaxteller007]

I would not do two zebrasoma tangs, I'd advise 3 different. It's a lot but it can be done with good nutrient export.

I thought yellows were one that you could do 2-3 if you added them together? I could have sworn I've seen multiple tanks with 2-3 yellows but maybe I'm just having a brain fart moment.
As far as nutrient export, I think ours is pretty strong for our tank. Lots of CuC, skimmer rated much higher than our tank, biopellet reactor, and some other stuff. Not sure how much more I could add to control nutrients (other than me making sure I don't over feed of course haha).

Edit.. for nutrient control you're talking about having 2-3 zebrasoma tangs, the PBT and our current line up I think? I think we have a pretty good setup for that and can/will add some other additions down the road (like algae scrubber, we're already plumbed for one, UV sterilizer, etc).

So if I'm understanding you right, you're saying 1 zebrasoma (yellow, sailfin, etc), 1 tang of different family, and 1 more of a different family. Sorry for blowing you up with tons of questions.

 

[4FordFamily]

I thought yellows were one that you could do 2-3 if you added them together? I could have sworn I've seen multiple tanks with 2-3 yellows but maybe I'm just having a brain fart moment.
As far as nutrient export, I think ours is pretty strong for our tank. Lots of CuC, skimmer rated much higher than our tank, biopellet reactor, and some other stuff. Not sure how much more I could add to control nutrients (other than me making sure I don't over feed of course haha).

Edit.. for nutrient control you're talking about having 2-3 zebrasoma tangs, the PBT and our current line up I think? I think we have a pretty good setup for that and can/will add some other additions down the road (like algae scrubber, we're already plumbed for one, UV sterilizer, etc).

So if I'm understanding you right, you're saying 1 zebrasoma (yellow, sailfin, etc), 1 tang of different family, and 1 more of a different family. Sorry for blowing you up with tons of questions.

It can work out but it’s riskier than 3+or 1 zebrasoma tang. Sounds like a good plan for export!

 

[jaxteller007]

It can work out but it’s riskier than 3+or 1 zebrasoma tang. Sounds like a good plan for export!

So we should do 3 yellows and a PBT is what I'm hearing LOL

 

[jaxteller007]

I just can't understand why our sailfin has turned into such a bully to the foxface. Our previous one wasn't like that at all.

 

[4FordFamily]

I just can't understand why our sailfin has turned into such a bully to the foxface. Our previous one wasn't like that at all.

Fewer fish + larger tank = more aggression. Easier to defend a space in that scenario.

 

[Zionas]

Would a Yellow Tang and a Bristletooth Tang (any species) be okay if added together at the same time? Does one have to be smaller than the other, or would it be fine if they’re around the same size?

 

[jaxteller007]

Fewer fish + larger tank = more aggression. Easier to defend a space in that scenario.

Well hopefully we can add some fish to lessen that soon.

 

[Zionas]

Interesting. Always thought more fish would lead to more aggression due to competition for space. As of today I decided to add a couple more fish to my stocking plan. According to this thread, it may well turn out to be a good decision for everyone.

 

[jaxteller007]

It can work out but it’s riskier than 3+or 1 zebrasoma tang. Sounds like a good plan for export!

Well the sailfin is leaving today and 3 small yellow's are coming to replace him. Like you said, hopefully with 3, they get a long decently and since they are smaller there are more than enough hiding places for them. They've also been QT'd together for the last month so hopefully that's a good sign.
If the 3 yellow's stay together that will be it for tangs in our tank unless we possibly add a PBT later. I think you mentioned earlier that 4 medium tangs would probably be the max for a 180? We will need to think of some more colorful fish to add later (smaller ones of course).

 

[4FordFamily]

Well the sailfin is leaving today and 3 small yellow's are coming to replace him. Like you said, hopefully with 3, they get a long decently and since they are smaller there are more than enough hiding places for them. They've also been QT'd together for the last month so hopefully that's a good sign.
If the 3 yellow's stay together that will be it for tangs in our tank unless we possibly add a PBT later. I think you mentioned earlier that 4 medium tangs would probably be the max for a 180? We will need to think of some more colorful fish to add later (smaller ones of course).

Flame hawk fish, melanarus wrasse :)

 

[jaxteller007]

Flame hawk fish, melanarus wrasse :)

We actually have a big, colorful melanarus already. That the sailfin was bullying as well.

He was not an easy catch (the sailfin) but he did teach me that we had some dead spots in our rock work. Had to remove some and turned up a good amount of detritus so I redid some of it with more pass through so the water could flow completely around.

 

[jaxteller007]

So far, so good. Everyone seems more active without the sailfin in there and the yellow's outside of the smallest are all over the place.

 

[LovesDogs_CatsRokay]

Thoughts on these guys all together in an 310g, 8 foot peninsula? Yellow x 3, sailfin, powder blue, lavender, hippo, and possible gem? Is that doable or crazy? Also want to add a blueface angel and other assorted smaller guys.

 

[4FordFamily]

Thoughts on these guys all together in an 310g, 8 foot peninsula? Yellow x 3, sailfin, powder blue, lavender, hippo, and possible gem? Is that doable or crazy? Also want to add a blueface angel and other assorted smaller guys.

Doable but that's a lot of fish, but with good nutrient export it can work.
Remember how lalrge the sailfin, hippo, and even lavender will get ;)

 

[Rudefish]

I read an earlier thread regarding nori clip and this is one I found to work. It can be purchased on Amazon "Innovative Marine Gourmet Gadget Grazer PRO".

 

[Rudefish]

I also do have a question. I have a 300g tank which includes 4 tangs - powder brown, sailfin, hippo and a bristletooth (all medium sizes). No major aggression detected except for the once in a while territorial chest puffing (only if they had one to puff). They were added all at once and have been together for about 2 months now. All is great with nutrients which is testing in the normal range. I would like to add a naso (after quarantine of course) and would like to know if that would be a wise decision at this point in time?

 

[jaxteller007]

@4FordFamily the smallest yellow didn't last :( He got picked on in QT before he came to us so it wasn't really a shock. He wasn't in great shape unfortunately. The other two are doing really well so far. Rearranged the rock work to get better flow but also created more caves and hiding spots. They've chased each other a couple times but nothing consistent and no flashing of their barbs at each other as far as I can tell. The smaller of the two does just as much chasing as the bigger one which is kinda funny to watch.
The credit for the yellow that didn't make it is going towards a Lt Tang that got ordered (You ain't got no legs Lt Dan!). I know that means probably no PBT but we're ok with that (at least till we get like a 600 gallon tank haha.

 

[jaxteller007]

FTS showing both

 

[4FordFamily]

I also do have a question. I have a 300g tank which includes 4 tangs - powder brown, sailfin, hippo and a bristletooth (all medium sizes). No major aggression detected except for the once in a while territorial chest puffing (only if they had one to puff). They were added all at once and have been together for about 2 months now. All is great with nutrients which is testing in the normal range. I would like to add a naso (after quarantine of course) and would like to know if that would be a wise decision at this point in time?

It may not be welcomed unless quite large, and still it may not. Naso are quite fragile when new. If you do I’d add with other fish, personally.