Do purple tangs deserve their aggressive reputation?

amzar123 · 10/24/2015, 11:19 AM

Do purple tangs deserve their aggressive reputation? I've worked out how to suppress this aggressive nature... for now...
I feel the aggression is more set up specific then the individual fish

ca1ore · 10/24/2015, 11:55 AM

Tang aggression is based on a number of factors, both controllable (aquascape, tank size, tankmates) and not controllable (inherent nature, individual temperament). Beyond adequate sample size scientific testing, I think our anecdotal experiences are just that: anecdotal.

Dmorty217 · 10/24/2015, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

tang aggression is based on a number of factors, both controllable (aquascape, tank size, tankmates) and not controllable (inherent nature, individual temperament). Beyond adequate sample size scientific testing, i think our anecdotal experiences are just that: Anecdotal.

+1 I had two in my 180g a decade ago without any aggressive behavior at all for 5 yrs before I sold the tank

amzar123 · 10/25/2015, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Tang aggression is based on a number of factors, both controllable (aquascape, tank size, tankmates) and not controllable (inherent nature, individual temperament). Beyond adequate sample size scientific testing, I think our anecdotal experiences are just that: anecdotal.

I totally agree... In the correct setting that can be model citizens

karimwassef · 10/25/2015, 02:07 AM

My purple isn't aggressive but she's got 3 bigger/similar size tangs to compete with. She's also got 7 smaller yellow tangs to keep in line and that's just a lot of work... Like a mom with too many kids and a job- she's basically not looking for a fight... Just food and shelter.

How did you reduce aggression?

Tweaked · 10/25/2015, 06:08 AM

Model citizen for me. Her tank may be a bit small at 105g, but it is 4' x 2' so she has plenty of room. She also shares her nori with all of her tank mates,and they have all grown to love nori day.

Her friends are:
Male and female Anthias
Male and female flame wrasse
5 Chromis
3 Pajama Cardinals
Red Scooter Blenny
Maroon Clown

Center bottom

phish guy · 10/25/2015, 07:47 AM

Never had any aggression from mine and he was one of the first 3 fish when I upgraded to a 150.

amzar123 · 10/25/2015, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karimwassef

My purple isn't aggressive but she's got 3 bigger/similar size tangs to compete with. She's also got 7 smaller yellow tangs to keep in line and that's just a lot of work... Like a mom with too many kids and a job- she's basically not looking for a fight... Just food and shelter.

How did you reduce aggression?

I've found keeping her with much larger tangs has suppressed the aggression.

Same theory really as above... Doesn't want to be noticed... Just food and shelter

andrewkw · 10/25/2015, 10:10 AM

One thing I found with mine many years back is it really loved to eat elegance and similar LPS corals. I wouldn't have believed it until I saw him swim off with some in his mouth. Still they are very pretty but the coral eating is more of a concern to me then aggression in regards to getting another.

moondoggy4 · 10/25/2015, 11:13 AM

My PBT keeps my PT in check, my PT takes turns with the PBT to chase the CBB around the tank.

Superpuma · 10/25/2015, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

My PBT keeps my PT in check, my PT takes turns with the PBT to chase the CBB around the tank.

Which did you introduce first? Or were they introduced together? My Powder Blue is boss of my tank, l'd love a Purple....

FarmerTy · 10/25/2015, 01:50 PM

I introduced a powder blue and purple tang at the same time... and they are roughly the same size. They flash everyone once in awhile at each other but nothing serious. I hope it stays that way.

karimwassef · 10/25/2015, 02:45 PM

What's a CBB?

Taahirs · 10/25/2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karimwassef

What's a CBB?

Copperband Butterfly

Sk8r · 10/25/2015, 02:59 PM

As they grow, the tank gets smaller. As the tank gets smaller and their tankmates also grow, purple tangs can just go over the brink on a particular afternoon and go on a rampage with pretty bad effect on the tankmates. Had one who was a rescue, behaved like a doll for a while in a 50 till I could find him a home. Had another go berserk in a much larger tank for absolutely no reason but the situation above. Maybe water temperature, maybe slight dip in oxygenation, whatever touched him off it was mayhem.

lhm nole · 10/25/2015, 03:25 PM

I have had never had a overly aggressive purple tang and i have owned a half dozen or so.. Now yellows a whole another story

moondoggy4 · 10/25/2015, 03:39 PM

The PBT was introduced first and the PT was introduced when he was really small so I guess it was not a threat and I overfeed to keep the tempers down.

FuzzyZipperbaum · 10/25/2015, 05:48 PM

I have a purple in a 500 with multiple adult angles and she is easily the meanest fish in the tank by far.

Joke · 10/25/2015, 10:14 PM

My one is not aggressive just loves picking at my lps

amzar123 · 10/26/2015, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joke

My one is not aggressive just loves picking at my lps

That's unfortunate and unusual

nuxx · 10/26/2015, 12:57 PM

Every tang can be as aggressive as the next one...

Had a Tomini that was tough as nails and our Yellow Bellied Blue is a huge bully.

We had 3 Zebrasoma's (Yellow, Black and Purple). The Purple was the smallest and was actually the meanest. He didn't last too long in the tank since the bigger guys didn't like his attitude.

RGS2 · 10/26/2015, 01:26 PM

My purple, powder blue and hippo tangs get along great. They cruise the tank together like a gang of thugs and keep every other fish (sailfin, kole eye, naso, anthias, clowns, various wrasses) in check.

10/24/2015, 11:19 AM	#1
amzar123 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 417	Do purple tangs deserve their aggressive reputation? Do purple tangs deserve their aggressive reputation? I've worked out how to suppress this aggressive nature... for now... I feel the aggression is more set up specific then the individual fish

10/24/2015, 11:55 AM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Tang aggression is based on a number of factors, both controllable (aquascape, tank size, tankmates) and not controllable (inherent nature, individual temperament). Beyond adequate sample size scientific testing, I think our anecdotal experiences are just that: anecdotal. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/25/2015, 02:07 AM	#5
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	My purple isn't aggressive but she's got 3 bigger/similar size tangs to compete with. She's also got 7 smaller yellow tangs to keep in line and that's just a lot of work... Like a mom with too many kids and a job- she's basically not looking for a fight... Just food and shelter. How did you reduce aggression? __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

10/25/2015, 06:08 AM	#6
Tweaked FUP&A Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Madison, CT Posts: 7,722	Model citizen for me. Her tank may be a bit small at 105g, but it is 4' x 2' so she has plenty of room. She also shares her nori with all of her tank mates,and they have all grown to love nori day. Her friends are: Male and female Anthias Male and female flame wrasse 5 Chromis 3 Pajama Cardinals Red Scooter Blenny Maroon Clown Center bottom __________________ DSA 105 Pro, Cebu Sun-Radiums-M80 Ballasts, 4 T5's, XHO LEDs. Through Wall 55g Sump, 10g Frag and 29g Display attached, Vertex V6, 3 mp40's, Gyre, 2 mp10's, GFO, Carbon, Pellets - 10g Bar Tank

10/25/2015, 07:47 AM	#7
phish guy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South NJ Posts: 1,003	Never had any aggression from mine and he was one of the first 3 fish when I upgraded to a 150. __________________ Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people. Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef, Reeftech LEDs ( on their way out for reefbreeder Photons), Reef Octoput NWB250, Custom made Sump/Refufium, Mp40wES, Koralia's. SPS, LPS, Zoas/Palys

10/25/2015, 10:10 AM	#9
andrewkw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Joseph Island Posts: 1,069	One thing I found with mine many years back is it really loved to eat elegance and similar LPS corals. I wouldn't have believed it until I saw him swim off with some in his mouth. Still they are very pretty but the coral eating is more of a concern to me then aggression in regards to getting another.

10/25/2015, 11:13 AM	#10
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	My PBT keeps my PT in check, my PT takes turns with the PBT to chase the CBB around the tank.

10/25/2015, 01:50 PM	#12
FarmerTy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 871	I introduced a powder blue and purple tang at the same time... and they are roughly the same size. They flash everyone once in awhile at each other but nothing serious. I hope it stays that way.

10/25/2015, 02:45 PM	#13
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	What's a CBB? __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

10/25/2015, 02:59 PM	#15
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	As they grow, the tank gets smaller. As the tank gets smaller and their tankmates also grow, purple tangs can just go over the brink on a particular afternoon and go on a rampage with pretty bad effect on the tankmates. Had one who was a rescue, behaved like a doll for a while in a 50 till I could find him a home. Had another go berserk in a much larger tank for absolutely no reason but the situation above. Maybe water temperature, maybe slight dip in oxygenation, whatever touched him off it was mayhem. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/25/2015, 03:25 PM	#16
lhm nole Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,199	I have had never had a overly aggressive purple tang and i have owned a half dozen or so.. Now yellows a whole another story

10/25/2015, 03:39 PM	#17
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The PBT was introduced first and the PT was introduced when he was really small so I guess it was not a threat and I overfeed to keep the tempers down.

10/25/2015, 05:48 PM	#18
FuzzyZipperbaum Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wayne Manor, Tampa Florida Posts: 474	I have a purple in a 500 with multiple adult angles and she is easily the meanest fish in the tank by far.

10/25/2015, 10:14 PM	#19
Joke Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 446	My one is not aggressive just loves picking at my lps

10/26/2015, 12:57 PM	#21
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	Every tang can be as aggressive as the next one... Had a Tomini that was tough as nails and our Yellow Bellied Blue is a huge bully. We had 3 Zebrasoma's (Yellow, Black and Purple). The Purple was the smallest and was actually the meanest. He didn't last too long in the tank since the bigger guys didn't like his attitude. __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

10/26/2015, 01:26 PM	#22
RGS2 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 139	My purple, powder blue and hippo tangs get along great. They cruise the tank together like a gang of thugs and keep every other fish (sailfin, kole eye, naso, anthias, clowns, various wrasses) in check.