When to be concerned

[fernalfer]

I have a 120 gallon that was stocked first with a lemon peel tang. I lkove him at the LFS and had to have him. He was the first fish in the tank which may have been a mistake. He is great and works the whole tank all day long. Next was a pair of Occelaris clowns. When first put in he chased them a few times but that was the extent of it. Then yesterday i put in a Starry Blenny and a Bangaii Cardinal fish. Once put in the tang chased the Cardinal fish into the corner where the fish now stays for the last couple days. Now my Starry Blenny who has ton of personality and also has worked the tank since being put in now is being chased everytime he comes into open water. There is no biting from what i can see just chasing then leaving him alone for a bit. Luckily the Starry Blenny can hide in all the rock crevices.

So when should i be concerned? Is the Tang just checking him out. Is this normal? I hope because it has been less then 24 hours since they were put in the tank is the reason why he is chasing and hope it will subside.

 

[jenkinscrew2578]

You really want to try to add tangs last so other non-aggressive fish can adjust and find their territory. If you have another tank, like quarantine tank put it in there for awhile and then add it back later. If your other fish get too stressed from being chased they can die easily.

 

[fernalfer]

You really want to try to add tangs last so other non-aggressive fish can adjust and find their territory. If you have another tank, like quarantine tank put it in there for awhile and then add it back later. If your other fish get too stressed from being chased they can die easily.

well he chased the clowns for a few days and then gave up so hopefully the same goes for these 2 additions. And doing what you say about taking the tang out i hear can also stress him out going from a nice big 120 that he has been in for 3 months to going into the 20 gallon he was in originally in when he was in QT before going to the DT.

 

[jenkinscrew2578]

Yeah just have to watch it, things can turn very fast for the worse, if the tang is too aggressive for the other fish and keeps chasing. The tang will be fine if you have a good QT but the others probably wont survive continuous chasing. I've had personal experience with an aggressive fish and removing and reintroduction has worked well.

A second option that has also worked is, If the tang is small enough and you have a way to, is isolating it in the big tank for a week and then let it out. Almost like your putting it in time out. I did this with a damsel and worked. I used a big "dip and pour" and drilled holes in it. You can buy them already made too and sometimeds referred to as the "peacemaker". Marc sells them on his site on melevsreef.

 

[fernalfer]

So the Tang just kind of makes his rounds and every once and awhile dart towards the Starry Blenny and chases him into a crevice and then leaves him alone for a bit. It is not a constant harrasing. He does not bother the Bangaii Cardinal fish. Maybe because the cardinal fish has set up shop in the corner. Again it has just been a little over a day since they were put into the DT so hopefully things will get better.

 

[jenkinscrew2578]

Doesn't sound too bad, just keep an eye on all of them. Hope things go well for you. Good luck!

 

[fernalfer]

As long as the Blenny stays attached to a rock he is fine, but as soon as he hits open water the tang chases him. I love my Rockscape and would hate to change it. If i take the Tang out and put him back in the QT tank #1 how long should this be done for and #2 Will this stress my tang out which i love and decline his health going from the 120 back to a 20 gallon. Also because i QT all my fish even when i put him back aren't i going to have to deal with this for every fish put in after him as well?

So depressed right now. Love the Blenny great personality but that may change being chased every time he swims and i love the Tang. Makes use of the whole tank and as happy as a clam. So unsure what to do.

Pic of scape:

 

[CodyRVA]

Another option to consider is introducing another tang, assuming your system is adaquate and can handle the bio load. If it can, the new tang should leave the existing fish alone and knock the lemon peel down; this also depends on the breed of tang you purchase and the age. Just an alternative if things go south...

 

[fernalfer]

It doesn't look like he is biting him. It just looks like an aggressive chase. I'll try the mirror trick first see if that helps at all.

 

[Maritimer]

Sometimes tangs recognize blennies as competitors for algae. (Pretty sure that's what's going on between my kole and starry...) It may not ever "go away", as it's pretty basic to what a tang is. Keeping them well-fed should help . . .

In my case, I thought it was "just some chasing" until I noticed my blenny becoming rail-thin. I've had to up my feedings, but the next thing I'm going to try is rather more drastic - moving the whole kit 'n kaboodle from a 65 gallon to a 220 gallon glass box.

~Bruce

 

[fernalfer]

just an update. My Tang terrorized my Starry blenny for 2 straight days. on thr 3rd day which is today they are swimming side by side no issues. soooo weird.

 

[jenkinscrew2578]

Good deal, glad they are getting along :-)

 

[CodyRVA]

just an update. My Tang terrorized my Starry blenny for 2 straight days. on thr 3rd day which is today they are swimming side by side no issues. soooo weird.