Tang help

[eswebster]

I have 3 tangs a Blue, yellow, and purple. The blue and yellow have been coexisting fine together. I recently added the purple and he is getting nipped at on his dorsal fin a bit. But nothing that doesnt regenerate within a day or so. Just tonight the large blue tang about 8-9" slashed him with his tail spike, not sure the scientific name. Its about a quarter inch long little mark, doesnt look deep but I am concerned that I need to get rid of the purple tang and I would really like to keep him.

Any advise on getting fish to get along better.... I am thinking a quarentine box for the blue to put him in his place and give the purple some time to get used to the tank.

Really looking for any ideas and help that will give me a chance to keep the purple before this progrsses too far.... or has it already....

Thanks.

 

[Paul_N]

You can try re-arranging your rock work and that way all three will have to start over with territory. How big is the purple?

 

[jascymcl]

what I do is cut off the tailspikes. when they get agressive they cant hurt each other.been doing this for years.

 

[nixer]

if its like my purple tang those other 2 might be doing you a favor!

 

[pickupman66]

what I do is cut off the tailspikes. when they get agressive they cant hurt each other.been doing this for years.

Let me pick my JAW up off the FLOOR!! Seriously? they grow back! OMG!

1. what size tank do you have?
2. out of those, from my experiences, the purple can likely be the most agressive given tank mates and size.

I have currently an 8" sohal, 7" naso and 6" purple in my 180. the sohal and naso were in first, then the purple. surprisingly, my sohal was tolerant of the purple when introduced with just a moderate ammt of aggression. what I did notice was that the purple would go after the sohal and provoke attacks. on two occasions, the purple has been on the losing end of the battle with a noticeable mark on his side. he has two scars from them. while now more rare, the purple still feels the need to assert his aggression on the sohal. I know it is because of size and nature of them in my tank.

what to take from this: watch the aggression of the purple for provoking a fight with the blue (has a larger scalpel). so long as you have good water quality wounds like that will heal quickly. keep them well fed so they dont feel they have to compete for food.

 

[eswebster]

I am feeding more than usual to keep the competition for food down. The purple is amazingly docile for being a purple tang, all he/she will do is swim towards the middle of the tank and the blue chases him. They arent tearing each other appart like i have seen in the past where one absolutely has to be removed, so i am thinking in time they will work out the pecking order and everything will be fine.

 

[nixer]

mine was fine for the first few weeks also. give it time

 

[Wild1]

Sorry to hijack your post, but I also have a Tang question. I now have a Blue Hippo, Kole yellow eyed Tang & a Scopus Tang, all 2 to 3"s. I would like to add a Tellow Tang, but have been told the Yellow & Scopus might get along (similar body shape). Any input would be very helpful in my decision. Thanx in advance....Johnnie

 

[pickupman66]

Johnnie. yes they are the same shape, and genus which could potentially be an issue. what size tank do you have?

same to webster, what size tank? if they feel cramped, all of them can be bullies. it may take up to several weeks for them to all get along.

 

[eswebster]

its a 6' 125.... the purple tang is about 5-6" so decent size. Just no agression what so ever, not even retaletory. I thought adding the purple last would be the best because they are known to be so aggressive.

 

[shapermike]

Sorry to hijack your post, but I also have a Tang question. I now have a Blue Hippo, Kole yellow eyed Tang & a Scopus Tang, all 2 to 3"s. I would like to add a Tellow Tang, but have been told the Yellow & Scopus might get along (similar body shape). Any input would be very helpful in my decision. Thanx in advance....Johnnie

It is possible, I had Yellow & Scopus but I did add them at the same time. They got a long good but the general rule is if the fish are similar in shape, they will fight. There are exceptions to the rule

 

[shapermike]

This is my trick on adding new fish. Mind you that I have a 300 gal DT so I have a size problem meaning that my fish at 8+ in size.

I add a mirror to the side of my tank. The idea is for the old tanks mates to be pre occupied with the new look alike that are in the tank…meaning the reflection of themselves. The tangs really get aggressive with them selves and because of the glass they will not heart themselves..:)

You can also use DR Tim’s First Defense Stress Relief or Micrb-lift Herbtana. I have used both and it does not heart any of your corals but it does help the new and old fish with stress that happens with the fish.

I have no ich on my tangs that is visiable ask any one that have seem my tanks

 

[pickupman66]

I have heard of folks using the mirror trick with success. Ive never tried it but may have to when I add an Emperor angel to the tank this saturday.

 

[shapermike]

adding the additives also will help the new fish with the stress. it is a way to not get an ich break out. it is not worth the expense of losing all your prize fish.

 

[eswebster]

The tang is really healthy, got him from a great local store that knows whats up. The blue and purple will be right next to each other grazing on algae and be fine.... as long as its in the purples okayed side of the tank. Its when he ventures out of that side of the tank it gets a bit more dicey..... In my experiece as long a they can coexist at this level they will be fine... but I just worry because these animals are in my care so I want to make sure I am doing the right thing.