Swallow tail and yellow tang fighting

[dndmicks]

Just wondering if anyone else has this issue. I have a Yellow tang in my tank for abot 6 mo and added a Swallow tail this weekend and the yellow tang is very aggressive. Keeps trying to stab him with its tangs and is very nasty. Ive done some reading and everything says they are compatable. just wondering if anyone has had the same issue.

[ezerasurfr]

How big is your tank?

[dndmicks]

Sorry that would help right LOL i have a reef tank and its a 90 gal

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yellow tangs have a tendency to get very territorial and aggressive. They are best left as the last fish added.

[dave540]

I have a yellow tang and swallowtail in a 110 with no problems. The yang is just showing your angel who's the boss. I would put a mirror on one of the sides of your tank. The yellow tang will be to busy with his reflection to even bother with your angel. After a few days take the mirror down and see what happens.

[dndmicks]

Originally Posted by dave540

I have a yellow tang and swallowtail in a 110 with no problems. The yang is just showing your angel who's the boss. I would put a mirror on one of the sides of your tank. The yellow tang will be to busy with his reflection to even bother with your angel. After a few days take the mirror down and see what happens.

Cool will try it. I figured he was just showing whos boss. Thanks

[fishpoop]

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

Yellow tangs have a tendency to get very territorial and aggressive. They are best left as the last fish added.

So true,
You might need to consider exchanging the yellow tang with a different one from your LFS. The new guy will not be aggressive.

[username in use]

The tank is simply too small for that pairing of fish with the aggression level of the yellow tang.

[ezerasurfr]

Originally Posted by username in use

The tank is simply too small for that pairing of fish with the aggression level of the yellow tang.

eh.

[username in use]

Originally Posted by ezerasurfr

eh.

Do you disagree?

[ezerasurfr]

I do. But this matter has been discussed and abused over and over again and is not productive to the resolution of the OPs issue.

[username in use]

Originally Posted by ezerasurfr

is not productive to the resolution of the OPs issue.

I disagree with that. He is a new member and maybe new to the hobby and might not be aware of that. It hasn't been mentioned yet in the thread, and I just said it simply with nothing argumentative so that he is at least aware of it. A mirror is not the answer.

[ErikS]

I'd agree, the tang is just establishing dominance. Should go away in a short time.

On the upside soon enough the swallowtail will be the one handing out the beat downs if challenged.

Have a purple & a swallowtail...............in the beginning the purple (was established) ruled, now when it challenges the swallowtail the angel just stands it's ground with a "really........you want to go again......slow learner eh" attitude.

Also have the worlds most gentle maroon.............but when it decides to come out nobody & I mean nobody wants a piece of that.

In general terms the only fish the swallowtail bothers is the wantanabai ............and that's just a "outta my way"

[rpjaws74]

well I think the yellow tang will ease up in his aggression but I also agree with putting two tangs in that 90 glln. To small IMO

[Buzz1329]

Originally Posted by ezerasurfr

I do. But this matter has been discussed and abused over and over again and is not productive to the resolution of the OPs issue.

What he said!

[username in use]

I will step away from the conversation because I feel that the size of those two fish in relation to the tank is a significant factor in the ability to maintain them together in a peaceful manner.