Clown tang is becoming unmanageable

artieg1 · May 17, 2020

Clown tang started out as smallest of 4 tangs in 200 gallon DT. It has become largest. It recently cut a one-inch gash in next largest tang (an orange shoulder). I am pretty sure I know the answer here: re-home it locally. Any other thoughts?

Dragon52 · May 17, 2020

That would be my 1st move if I didn't another tank for it.

tank of gems · May 17, 2020

The clown tangs are very aggressive and will dominate most other tangs or fish in your tank. O would rehome him if the problems doesnt stop or see if your local fish store would take him

Flame2hawk · May 18, 2020

Clown and Sohal tangs are very aggressive. IMO opinion should only be housed in very large tanks that are at least 8’ long....So re location seems inevitable....

vetteguy53081 · May 18, 2020

Although I got lucky, they can be as nasty or more than sohal and don't take NO for an answer. Trapping is best bet as they are fantastic at dodging a net.

Flame2hawk · May 18, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Although I got lucky, they can be as nasty or more than sohal and don't take NO for an answer. Trapping is best bet as they are fantastic at dodging a net.

Agree using a specimen container is best. Put a piece of nori in the container and hold it still until he goes in. Ive caught many angels and tangs this was with 100% SUCCESS RATE AND LITTLE IF ANY STRESS ON THE FISH....GOOD LUCK.

ThRoewer · May 18, 2020

In my experience, Clowntangs are nothing but troublemakers and outright hated by their tank mates.
I had a little one before (like 37 years ago) and he would always pick fights with my ocellaris pair and gave the female a scar on her cheek. So I moved him to a different tank for a year to let them all cool down.
Then I got a much larger tank and thought it might be safe to add him back in there... big mistake!
The ocellaris female still remembered him well and obviously held a serious grudge. He didn't even had the time to do one orientation round through the tank before she viciously attacked him and tore his guts open. By the time I could intervene he was already on his way out.
I've never - before and after - seen ocellaris or any other anemonefish attack to kill like that - and I had a good number of much larger and much meaner ones. She must have really hated him.