Two tangs not getting along

[nzkiwi80]

I have two tangs in a 350L system (mimic and hippo), both reasonably small still. Had them together for 12months or more - not issues, not fighting.

Over the last two weeks I've seen the hippo hiding a lot, comes out for feeding at eats well although I'm thinking he's getting skinny.

Today I removed the rock for a clean which he's hiding in, the other tang started to bully and nip at him.

I might be stuffed here, but any suggestions? thought maybe keeping the tank in a breading net for a bit?

 

[Tahoe61]

Get a small mirror or hand mirror and tape it to the outsde of the tank until things settle down.

 

[Subsea]

Maybe a mirror works. I would be surprised.

That not a very large tank for full grown tangs. I suggest you consider removing one.

 

[nzkiwi80]

Get a small mirror or hand mirror and tape it to the outsde of the tank until things settle down.

Never heard of this? does it work? how does it work?

 

[winzig]

what are the dimensions of the tank

 

[Tahoe61]

The aggressor becomes intent on challenging it's reflection, distraction. It can give you time to make a plan.

 

[NE reefer]

I would use the mirror trick along with extra food and Nori in the tank for distraction. You can also do some minor aquascape rearranging to reset things

 

[Subsea]

I have two tangs in a 350L system (mimic and hippo), both reasonably small still. Had them together for 12months or more - not issues, not fighting.

Over the last two weeks I've seen the hippo hiding a lot, comes out for feeding at eats well although I'm thinking he's getting skinny.

Today I removed the rock for a clean which he's hiding in, the other tang started to bully and nip at him.

I might be stuffed here, but any suggestions? thought maybe keeping the tank in a breading net for a bit?

@nzkiwi80
Adding all tangs when they are small is the best way to introduce surgeon fish. The fact that one species gets territorial & bossy after 12 month’s together does not bode well for HIPPO tang.

In my 75G tank, the Sailfin & Hippo were together for two years before Hippo got belligerent. I waited two weeks before removing Hippo who I returned to LFS. I bought a tiny Hippo and kept him in a seperate tank for 6 months before introducing him to 75G with resident Sailfin tang. The Hippo has grown fast in one year and is almost as big as Sailfin. At times, they both flare fins at each other but no damage. Differrent fish have different personalities and as fish age, some get bossy to the detriment of others.

If Hippo is no longer eating, then you need to take action and remove one of the two tangs.

PS: When I remove fish from an established reef tank, I drain all bur 2” of water from display into a Rubbermaid tub then after catching fish I pump water back into tank.

 

[nzkiwi80]

Should I put my hippo tank in my sump? Is that safe?

Could I get a breading net and put one in there until I work out what to do?

 

[slingfox]

That tank is too small for those tangs. The Hippo Tang if healthy will grow quickly. You should rehome it. Even the Mimic Tang will soon outgrow that tank. Unless you plan to get a larger tank soon the Mimic should also be rehomed.

 

[Subsea]

Should I put my hippo tank in my sump? Is that safe?

Could I get a breading net and put one in there until I work out what to do?

Either is acceptable for short term.

 

[Subsea]

That tank is too small for those tangs. The Hippo Tang if healthy will grow quickly. You should rehome it. Even the Mimic Tang will soon outgrow that tank. Unless you plan to get a larger tank soon the Mimic should also be rehomed.

I agree 100%. Neither of those tangs belong in that size tank.

 

[nzkiwi80]

All those saying tangs don’t belong in this sized tank are not helping the immediate question. Just keep those opinions to yourself please

 

[Subsea]

All those saying tangs don’t belong in this sized tank are not helping the immediate question. Just keep those opinions to yourself please

You asked for advice/opinions AND you got it.

 

[slingfox]

All those saying tangs don’t belong in this sized tank are not helping the immediate question. Just keep those opinions to yourself please

The size of your tank almost certainly is contributing to what is going on. As these large tangs grow, they will become more territorial inside a tank is too small for them. This can result in aggressive behavior like what you are seeing. I hope you have a long term solution other than hoping for the best.