Aggressive Tang

hilde123 · 02/29/2008, 12:35 PM

I have a 180 gallon mixed reef with about 300# of liverock (plenty of hiding places). Currently I have the following fish: Clown (2"), Mandrin Goby, and Powder Blue Tang (2-3") . Two days ago I added a Yellow Watchmen Goby (2") and immediatly the tang started nipping and chasing the goby all around the tank. Eventually the tang chased him up to surface and he jumped into the overflow (I still have to retrieve him). Are Powder Blue Tangs usually so aggressive? I really would like to add some more fish but dont know how to stop the Tang from attacking. Is there something I can do to alleviate the problem, maybe adding the new fish in total darkness so the tang can not see the new fish and it can acclimate overnight.

I have ordered a Chevron Tang (2-3") which I will have in a week or so and will be adding after 2-3 weeks of QT. I will be really angry if the Powder Blue Tang kills a $130 Chevron. Ayy help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ThrowinRoost89 · 02/29/2008, 12:48 PM

yes poweder blue's are verrry aggressive.

try putting a mirror up agains the glass, he will hofully bully himself wile the goby is left alone.

i had to do that to mine when i put in a copperband butterfly

LobsterOfJustice · 02/29/2008, 01:41 PM

PBT are notoriously aggressive. Adding him so early was a mistake. I say if you just drop the chevron in you have at least a 50% chance the PBT will kill him. If you think he's aggressive towards this goby, just wait until you introduce another tang, or any fish with the same body shape (angel, butterfly). It will get a whole lot worse.

If possible, I would recommend removing the PBT and keeping HIM in the QT for a few weeks instead of the chevron. Depending on what other fish you are planning on getting, he should probably be re-introduced as the LAST fish in the tank.

Reeftanks6 · 03/01/2008, 06:19 AM

Yes they are usually aggressive should not be one of the first fish into a tank because of that. If i where you i would remove the PBT and put him in the qt tank and then wait till you are not adding any more fish and then reintroduce him into the tank. this should let your fish be fine in your tank.

rbursek · 03/01/2008, 08:24 AM

Turning off the lights for a day or two may help.

Reeftanks6 · 03/01/2008, 11:50 AM

may help. good luck keep us updated.

02/29/2008, 12:35 PM	#1
hilde123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 625	Aggressive Tang I have a 180 gallon mixed reef with about 300# of liverock (plenty of hiding places). Currently I have the following fish: Clown (2"), Mandrin Goby, and Powder Blue Tang (2-3") . Two days ago I added a Yellow Watchmen Goby (2") and immediatly the tang started nipping and chasing the goby all around the tank. Eventually the tang chased him up to surface and he jumped into the overflow (I still have to retrieve him). Are Powder Blue Tangs usually so aggressive? I really would like to add some more fish but dont know how to stop the Tang from attacking. Is there something I can do to alleviate the problem, maybe adding the new fish in total darkness so the tang can not see the new fish and it can acclimate overnight. I have ordered a Chevron Tang (2-3") which I will have in a week or so and will be adding after 2-3 weeks of QT. I will be really angry if the Powder Blue Tang kills a $130 Chevron. Ayy help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

02/29/2008, 12:48 PM	#2
ThrowinRoost89 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbia Station, OH Posts: 382	yes poweder blue's are verrry aggressive. try putting a mirror up agains the glass, he will hofully bully himself wile the goby is left alone. i had to do that to mine when i put in a copperband butterfly __________________ ~Hate What Own's You~ Current Tank Info: 120g reef...... WITH A TANG IN IT!!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

02/29/2008, 01:41 PM	#3
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	PBT are notoriously aggressive. Adding him so early was a mistake. I say if you just drop the chevron in you have at least a 50% chance the PBT will kill him. If you think he's aggressive towards this goby, just wait until you introduce another tang, or any fish with the same body shape (angel, butterfly). It will get a whole lot worse. If possible, I would recommend removing the PBT and keeping HIM in the QT for a few weeks instead of the chevron. Depending on what other fish you are planning on getting, he should probably be re-introduced as the LAST fish in the tank. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

03/01/2008, 06:19 AM	#4
Reeftanks6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PA Posts: 3,857	Yes they are usually aggressive should not be one of the first fish into a tank because of that. If i where you i would remove the PBT and put him in the qt tank and then wait till you are not adding any more fish and then reintroduce him into the tank. this should let your fish be fine in your tank. __________________ 110g Reef build in progress Current Tank Info: 110 Gallon Reef

03/01/2008, 11:50 AM	#6
Reeftanks6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PA Posts: 3,857	may help. good luck keep us updated. __________________ 110g Reef build in progress Current Tank Info: 110 Gallon Reef

03/01/2008, 08:24 AM	#5
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	Turning off the lights for a day or two may help.