Convict Tang Glutten for Punishment

[JaaxReef]

So, I have had the same 3 very small tangs (Tomini, Yellow, Convict) in my 120 for about 18 months. As I introduced them, there was some initial aggression that just went away in a day or two and they never really bothered each other for a long time after that. Yellow was first, Tomini second, Convict last. Some fin flaring or posturing but never any damage.

Recently, in the last few weeks, I’ve noticed my Convict tang is following my yellow tang around and trying to nip his tail. The yellow doesn’t have it and smacks him with his blade. The convict backs away for a while then he starts following him around again. The yellow has basically zero physical damage and never actively chases the convict. Just puts him in his place when bothered. The convict definitely looks fine some days, but randomly I’ll look at him in the middle of a day and he has some fin tears and scrapes on his sides from getting whipped.

My question is… will the convict ever stop since the yellow is clearly the winner from a dominance perspective? He seems to just like bothering him and getting beaten… and the yellow isn’t phased. I don’t want to take the convict out… but I might have to.

 

[SlugSnorter]

you need to remove one of them or itll stress both of em out and one can get pretty hurt

 

[JaaxReef]

you need to remove one of them or itll stress both of em out and one can get pretty hurt

I’ve got a fish trap on the way Friday. We’ll see what I can do before it gets worse.

Anything to reduce aggression before I can try to catch him? Feeding more? Mirrors?

 

[SlugSnorter]

I guess mirrors could be tried yeah

 

[JaaxReef]

Yeah, that’s what I did. Mirror is working great for now. The convict is too distracted to bother the yellow tang in the meantime.

 

[JaaxReef]

Caught him within 20 minutes of setting up the trap. Down in the frag tank until I can find a new home.