Tang on Tang fighting.

[AcroCrush]

I have yellow tang and a blue eye tang that don't like each other in a 125 g. tank. My hippo tang is neutral to both and he is twice their size. Usually not a problem since they were small but today the yellow tang got wounded by the other causing a little cut on his body. I know this because I was watching as the scuffle happened. Does this heal on it's own? I ask since tangs can wound each other. I have a QT that I can put one or the other into as a permanent fix (blue eye tang) since the yellow is my favorite. I assume this aggression will only get worse and will be moving one or the other so don't worry about that part of the issue. I am asking about the wound on the tang.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have yellow tang and a blue eye tang that don't like each other in a 125 g. tank. My hippo tang is neutral to both and he is twice their size. Usually not a problem since they were small but today the yellow tang got wounded by the other causing a little cut on his body. I know this because I was watching as the scuffle happened. Does this heal on it's own? I ask since tangs can wound each other. I have a QT that I can put one or the other into as a permanent fix (blue eye tang) since the yellow is my favorite. I assume this aggression will only get worse and will be moving one or the other so don't worry about that part of the issue. I am asking about the wound on the tang.

Thanks in advance.

I would remove one. It can happen that once mature, they will become more aggressive or territorial. 125 might be a little cramped for them.

Once separated, feed a good quality frozen food such as LRS. Watch for a bacterial infection on the yellow.

 

[ca1ore]

In an otherwise healthy fish, most wounds will heal just fine. Surprised to hear though. Zebrasomas and bristles usually coexist.

 

[AcroCrush]

In an otherwise healthy fish, most wounds will heal just fine. Surprised to hear though. Zebrasomas and bristles usually coexist.

That is what I thought but these guys have always been testing each other.

 

[azbigjohn]

I love this article by @4FordFamily about Tang Aggression!

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/

 

[4FordFamily]

Tangs are relatively unpredictable and your mileage may vary— what other tankmates do you have?

I assume the tank is lightly stocked? Often in those cases tangs can more easily single each other out. But above all else temperaments vary and something that worked for me may not work for you and visa versa.

I see someone already suggested my tang aggression article. I also agree that a healthy tang should heal up fine in a week or two. Sorry for your troubles.

 

[ca1ore]

But above all else temperaments vary

This is something many miss. Fish are individuals too; some more aggressive, some less aggressive. So the person that always pops in to say 'I've done _______' may not necessarily be a good person to follow.

 

[AcroCrush]

Thank you all for your insight on the matter. It took some effort but they are separate now.

 

[AcroCrush]

Tangs are relatively unpredictable and your mileage may vary— what other tankmates do you have?

I assume the tank is lightly stocked? Often in those cases tangs can more easily single each other out. But above all else temperaments vary and something that worked for me may not work for you and visa versa.

I see someone already suggested my tang aggression article. I also agree that a healthy tang should heal up fine in a week or two. Sorry for your troubles.

Lightly stocked I think so. Those three tangs, four PJ cardinals, a royal gramma, dwarf hawkfish, and CUC (shrimps, snails, hermit). That Article confirms that I am doing it wrong. Although those two smaller tangs (Yellow and Kole) have been fine, they have both always instigated conflict with each other. Now that they are getting older (had them a year) and have now moved up a weight class I don't like them being injured (both have marks). I had planned on adding some fish to an 80g frag tank that I use for fish QT since my 125 has all that I want in it. Guess the first fish is the yellow tang.

 

[AcroCrush]

Makes me think that tang on tang fighting is a blood sport somewhere.

 

[4FordFamily]

Makes me think that tang on tang fighting is a blood sport somewhere.

I’ve seen some epic throw downs...

 

[Grigs]

AcroCrush, how are your tangs doing? Any updates?

@4FordFamily, I have just introduced (24 hrs ago) a Purple Tang, a Chevron Tang and 4 Lyretailed Anthias to a 75 gallon QT, thinking that the volume would be adequate to reduce the aggression. The Purple was sitting on the Chevron and swiping at him pretty constantly. I installed a barrier mid-tank of white eggrate. I read your article. They both have nori in their sides, but neither have touched it yet. I have it rubber banded on one and clipped on the other. They both are starting to attempt to graze the bottom of the QT, but it is fresh glass. I placed an algae covered rock from my DT refugium in with the Chevron to see if he will start on it. What can I do to help lessen the aggression between the tangs? Just wait a couple of weeks with the divider in place and feed like crazy? The Chevron was fighting back, but his tail is a little banged up as is the lower finnage on his belly. Any thoughts besides adding plenty of PVC?

 

[4FordFamily]

AcroCrush, how are your tangs doing? Any updates?

@4FordFamily, I have just introduced (24 hrs ago) a Purple Tang, a Chevron Tang and 4 Lyretailed Anthias to a 75 gallon QT, thinking that the volume would be adequate to reduce the aggression. The Purple was sitting on the Chevron and swiping at him pretty constantly. I installed a barrier mid-tank of white eggrate. I read your article. They both have nori in their sides, but neither have touched it yet. I have it rubber banded on one and clipped on the other. They both are starting to attempt to graze the bottom of the QT, but it is fresh glass. I placed an algae covered rock from my DT refugium in with the Chevron to see if he will start on it. What can I do to help lessen the aggression between the tangs? Just wait a couple of weeks with the divider in place and feed like crazy? The Chevron was fighting back, but his tail is a little banged up as is the lower finnage on his belly. Any thoughts besides adding plenty of PVC?

Time may help and neutral ground in new tank may help. What you describe isn’t a good sign, with tangs it’s always a risk unfortunately.

 

[Grigs]

Thanks for the input. Will see if it improves once they really get eating

 

[Jesterrace]

I have yellow tang and a blue eye tang that don't like each other in a 125 g. tank. My hippo tang is neutral to both and he is twice their size. Usually not a problem since they were small but today the yellow tang got wounded by the other causing a little cut on his body. I know this because I was watching as the scuffle happened. Does this heal on it's own? I ask since tangs can wound each other. I have a QT that I can put one or the other into as a permanent fix (blue eye tang) since the yellow is my favorite. I assume this aggression will only get worse and will be moving one or the other so don't worry about that part of the issue. I am asking about the wound on the tang.

Thanks in advance.

They can heal but once you get to the physical injury point you are pretty much guaranteed to have to remove one. They won't heal if they keep getting injured.