Dussumieri Tang

[emmk]

Hello

I have two Dussumieri Tangs in my tank and the smaller one keeps chasing the bigger one. Its got to the point the larger one is covered in gashes (most likely from the coral or nipping?).

Does anyone have any advice on why and how to stop the constant chasing?

The larger one has stopped feeding and looking very unwell today.

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[blaxsun]

As a very temporary and interim (emphasis on "temporary") solution, you could try hanging a mirror on one side of the tank to try and distract them. I found it worked great diffusing tension for my fish, but with everything YMMV.

 

[emmk]

As a very temporary and interim (emphasis on "temporary") solution, you could try hanging a mirror on one side of the tank to try and distract them. I found it worked great diffusing tension for my fish, but with everything YMMV.

Thank you so much, I will try this

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

If you scroll down in it a little ways, some other suggestions can be found here:

Tang Aggression - Understanding and Combating

Tangs tang aggression mean nasty evil injured stab surgeonfish killing killed kill beat hide hiding why help remove sump new addition

www.reef2reef.com

For your situation (since the tangs are already in the tank) I’d say 1, 2, and 6 (in addition to the mirror trick suggested above which is number 5) are likely going to be the most helpful.

 

[emmk]

If you scroll down in it a little ways, some other suggestions can be found here:

Tang Aggression - Understanding and Combating

Tangs tang aggression mean nasty evil injured stab surgeonfish killing killed kill beat hide hiding why help remove sump new addition

www.reef2reef.com

For your situation (since the tangs are already in the tank) I’d say 1, 2, and 6 (in addition to the mirror trick suggested above which is number 5) are likely going to be the most helpful.

Thank you that was extremely helpful! I will try these suggestions. Unfortunately they haven't seem to notice the mirror.

 

[jda]

For me, it is always enough food, enough places to fully hide (like piled up rocks and not caves and arches that us stupid humans think that they might like) and large enough tank. Are yours huge yet? If they are growing and fat, then you are feeding them enough, but if not, then it takes a LOT of food to feed large tangs.

I would start looking for larger homes if yours are starting to outgrow your tank. If not, then maybe up the feeding.

 

[mehaffydr]

The gashes are most likely from the tangs Scapulae located at the base of the tail. Sometimes there is nothing you can do but separate them.

 

[emmk]

Thank you, I will definitely try feeding them more and look at better places for them to hide.
They are quite large but in a 5000 litre tank.

 

[mballant]

Would you sell one?