Purple Tang and Yellow Tang?

[Birdhawk23]

So I am new to the hobby so please don't bash me if I am doing something terribly wrong.
My newly setup 72 gallon reef tank has 3 clowns, or nemos as the girlfriend more commonly refers to them. A Bicolor Angel. A cleaner shrimp and crab. A Yellow Tang that is about 3 inches long.
Tonight I came across a deal on a Purple Tang that I absolutely couldn't pass up. He is about 5 inches long and very hearty. However he seems to be butting heads with the other fish mainly the angel and especially the yellow tang. He chases them and the two tangs stick their butts at each other. Is he just trying to assert his dominance in the tank or will this never end? I am willing and ready to fix this if it will be a continious problem I just wanted to ask some help from the experts first..
Thanks guys

[Toddrtrex]

IMO/E, your best choice is to sell back the purple tang, and one of those clowns. Purple tangs are very aggressive, and more so in a small tank -- sorry but when it comes to tangs, and 2 of them a 72 gallon tank is small. As for the clowns, I see one thing happening, a pair will form, they will start to spawn, and not take too kindly to the 3rd clown.

[beckbrass]

The purple and the yellow will fight and the purple will most likely win. Ocher ride of the purple. I have a purple in a 125 with no other Tangs for this reason. I added a fox face after the tang and the tang did not like that and killed it. I just added a large pink margin wrasse and when I did this I also put some small mirrors up to distract the purple for a few days and that seemed to help as the wrasse was not picked on. They also have very different shapes which helps.

[needmore-reef]

it will only end when one tang dies.

[sbeason]

The purple tang will most likely kill anything in the tank that is added afterwards. You can try rearranging the rockwork to change its territory, thus preventing a battle. Because the purple and the yellow are from the same species, that is part of the reason they fight. I agree with others that a 72 might not be ideal size at all for a purple tang of that size. Of course we see it all the time, but that doesnt mean its correct. I have housed a purple in a 72, then 90 and now a 210. Once I moved to the 210, I added two more tangs at the same time of the purple and all are doing fine. New rockwork and also added all at the same time were key IMHO.

Thanks, Steve

[Jerry W]

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

IMO/E, your best choice is to sell back the purple tang, and one of those clowns. Purple tangs are very aggressive, and more so in a small tank -- sorry but when it comes to tangs, and 2 of them a 72 gallon tank is small. As for the clowns, I see one thing happening, a pair will form, they will start to spawn, and not take too kindly to the 3rd clown.

Pretty much sums it up!

[Toddrtrex]

Keep buying to selling to PM's, and not in this thread.

[aday2remmbr]

purple and yellow tangs have practically the same body shape, fish dont see colors as well as outlines so if a yellow tangs sees the purple it will think it is under attack or vice versa. i would suggest taking it back also because a 72 gallon is definitely a bit small for two tangs. also with all those other fish in there.

[Chris27]

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

IMO/E, your best choice is to sell back the purple tang, and one of those clowns. Purple tangs are very aggressive, and more so in a small tank -- sorry but when it comes to tangs, and 2 of them a 72 gallon tank is small. As for the clowns, I see one thing happening, a pair will form, they will start to spawn, and not take too kindly to the 3rd clown.

+1 by the way....

Clowns are best kept in the order of 1 pair per tank...any more then that and you'll have a fight to contend with. Only the strong will survive....and turn into the female.

As for the purple tang, I agree it's not the right tank right now. Yellow tang aggression is hit or miss, sometimes you can get one that will be a model citizen, but more times then not, they can be an absolute terror after it's been in the tank for a while.

[reefraider]

I have four tanks in my 180, Yellow, Purple, Sopus (sp) and a Kole.
The Yellow and Purple guys were added at the same time and the purple is the top dog.
The purple tang did pick on the other tangs when they were added much later to let them know who was the boss. My purple dude is a fat and happy. Also a great looking fish.
Sounds like you will have to pick a winner

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

IMO/E, your best choice is to sell back the purple tang, and one of those clowns. Purple tangs are very aggressive, and more so in a small tank -- sorry but when it comes to tangs, and 2 of them a 72 gallon tank is small. As for the clowns, I see one thing happening, a pair will form, they will start to spawn, and not take too kindly to the 3rd clown.

Agreed. The 3rd clown will probably be driven out or will be killed. The purple tang will not allow the yellow to exist.

[BrianD]

Posts have been removed. Stay on topic and within the User Agreement.

[ezerasurfr]

Originally Posted by Chris27

Because a good percentage of the population concerns themselves with shopping and text messaging while others help to ensure the citizens of this great country have the ability to walk outside without worry of stepping on a land mine or riding a bus that won't explode.

I think you missed what I was saying, but no worries..

[Birdhawk23]

Sorry for misposting, if anyone wants to feel free to PM me. Looks like my big beaut will have to find a new home
Any other good tank mates I should consider then?

[Ceebuano]

Originally Posted by Birdhawk23

Sorry for misposting, if anyone wants to feel free to PM me. Looks like my big beaut will have to find a new home
Any other good tank mates I should consider then?

whats your current LS? and how big are your fishes?
if you want color to complement your HYT and harmony in your tank i'd consider a Bartlett's Anthias ohh a little bit of Caution though cuz the Anthias is kinda aggressive it might pick on your false perculas.

[lordofthereef]

Nobody seems to have said it, but all tangs will outgrow that 72 eventually.

[aday2remmbr]

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

Nobody seems to have said it, but all tangs will outgrow that 72 eventually.

i think smaller ones such as yellow and bristletooth would be ok, but i agree its not a great situation long term

[Chromey316]

In a 72G tank, Its just not enough room for 2 tangs that Butt Heads.

I have a 135 WIth a Yellow and Purple tang, They scrapped for 2 days and that it.

I have 4 tangs that get along now.

Blond Naso, Shes Just a sweet heart and loves everyone.

Purple tang:
After the first fights, its well behaved other the Nipping at some corals.

Yellow tang:
Tryes to be the Boss here and their But gets but in its spot by the Purple.

Scopas: Even if another had a Issue they couldnt catch her anyways.

3 Clowns is Not good, Either Buy another Or sell 1.

[Birdhawk23]

I'm thinking about buying another Clown to make the girlfriend happy, she relates getting rid of fish to getting rid of children. It makes it difficult when I want to trade fish sometimes... haha
But an update on the tangs, I think they worked out their grievances? This morning they were right by each other, eating together, swim by each other. Is it possible they made amends with each other and are best buds now? haha i'm quite confused on their personalities..

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by Birdhawk23

I'm thinking about buying another Clown to make the girlfriend happy, she relates getting rid of fish to getting rid of children. It makes it difficult when I want to trade fish sometimes... haha
But an update on the tangs, I think they worked out their grievances? This morning they were right by each other, eating together, swim by each other. Is it possible they made amends with each other and are best buds now? haha i'm quite confused on their personalities..

They have little choice but to swim next to each other in that size tank. Fish are not "buds". I would listen to the advice previously offered, and would especially listen to the advice re: soliticing offers for sale/trade/value of fish.

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Birdhawk23

I'm thinking about buying another Clown to make the girlfriend happy, she relates getting rid of fish to getting rid of children. ....

Adding a 4th clown will not make things better. The odds are great that adding a 4th will make things worse. The best choice would be to get rid of one of the clowns and stick with just one pair per tank.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

Adding a 4th clown will not make things better. The odds are great that adding a 4th will make things worse. The best choice would be to get rid of one of the clowns and stick with just one pair per tank.

Best and most humane. I hate seeing fish die that do not have to die.

[Birdhawk23]

I understand its not a giant 265 gallon reef tank, but a 72 gallon shouldnt be referred to as a small tank? It's 4 feet long and wider than a 55 so I'm pretty sure a 2.5 inch fish and a 4 inch fish could easily avoid each other if they wanted to. I understand their natural instinct would be to fight, but natural instincts can always be overcame by adaptations...
Reputation has a lot to do with fish behaviors but IMO I learn most of what I know but watching and studying it for myself.
I removed one of the clowns tonight. I cannot read fish minds, but in my opinion his buddys and especially himself seem in a way upset... They arent swimming through the current and all over the tank, just really hanging out in one corner... its almost sad haha

In regards to the user agreements, I do not believe I am breaking any rules. I am not offering my fish for sale or for trades. Only thing I was stating is that it makes it difficult when I want to trade fish?

[PCFisher66]

Unfortunately they will not stay 2.5 and 4 inches long they will grow. There are a lot of smart people on this forum and they are only looking after the best interest of the fish and ensuring that they are thriving in a good enviroment.

[aday2remmbr]

within 6 months those cute little 2 inch tangs will be a good 7 inches if cared for properly, your going to just end up what you want to do in the end all we can do is try to persuade you. im going to say it right now clearly, 2 tangs cannot fit in a 72 gallon tank, PERIOD. and also its not just the size of the fish. these fish swim a ton that is why they need such large tanks, if you have seen a tang in the ocean, it is nonstop always going from place to place. it is just sad to see one in a small tank like that entirely restricted. and also in comparison to alot of tanks people have on this forum a 72 gallon tank is on the smaller side.