Fish aggression

Kershaw · Apr 7, 2016

Ok so I have
Malanarus wrasse
Kole tang
Two snowflake clown fish
Leapored wrasse
Marlbed wrasse and Midas Blenny
In that order

I recently pulled out an aggressive purple tang that was picking on my malanarus. Now my Kole tang is kinda picking on everyone. They used to all get along with out issue. The Kole tang is not keeping any fish cornered or anything but randomly he will chase them. Could he have learned this behavior from the purple tang? I am now considering pulling him out, as I think it might be best for the rest of the fish. If I pull him out will another fish take on his aggressive behavior ?

DannyB · Apr 7, 2016

I would guess the Kole Tang was second in dominance in the tank and was being kept in check by the Purple Tang. You may have to either try the various methods for aggression or finding a new home for the aggressor or aggressee.

Kershaw · Apr 7, 2016

Ok sounds like I have a fish hunt on hand to re-home tang. I'll give it a few days and see how he acts.

Salty1962 · Apr 7, 2016

Give it some time to let things settle down from removing the PT. Kole's can be aggressive but your other fish are pretty tough.
What size tank?

Kershaw · Apr 7, 2016

125 48x30x20

The Kole tang and malanarus used to go every where together. Then I add purple tang. Since I pulled it out 2 weeks ago the Kole tang has been bulling. A little. He will be fine then randomly chase a fish that's near him. The marble wrasse and Midas Blenny are what replaced purple tang

jdemarco · Apr 7, 2016

It's amazing how the pecking order changes immediately in nature and more specifically on our own reefs. One month u have a fish who you sort of feel for and who u try to protect because he may take some grief for the boss of the tank and as soon as the boss of the tank is taken out or traded away or dies off, the whole order of balance changes immediately and that fish who u thought was a wimp becomes an aggressor and u find yourself protecting someone else FROM him. The change of order happens immediately......

Kershaw · Apr 7, 2016

It was just strange. Because there appeared to be know boss of the tank until I added the purple tang. I have been in this hobby for 4 years. I had a 180 that I downsized to a 120. Now I have this tank that I started from nothing. My old tank I never had aggressive fish issues. Now I have two in two months

eatbreakfast · Apr 8, 2016

Some are worse than others, but tangs as a whole are on the aggressive side of the fosh spectrum. And while koles are supposed to be one of the more peaceful tangs, certain individuals can be quite belligerent. I had a kole that had to be removed because of being aggressive to wrasses.

4FordFamily · Apr 8, 2016

If I remember right, your tank was a 120 or something? The reason that is relevant is that groups of tangs added at the same time tend to have less issues and with more tangs the aggression is often spread. But not sure how many you could do in less than a 6 foot tank

Kershaw · Apr 8, 2016

Yes 125 48x30x20. I have the one tang now. And I will remove him if I have too. I really just hate stressing the fish when trying to catch one. I'm hoping it's just from the the addition of the Midas Blenny and marble wrasse and that he wil calm

Bdog4u2 · Apr 8, 2016

I wouldn't worry about a little chasing as long as there's no biting. My fish have always done a little chasing and most of them have been together for 10-15 years

Bdog4u2 · Apr 8, 2016

Sometimes I have to play referee and tap on the tank

Kershaw · Apr 8, 2016

Bdog4u2 said:
I wouldn't worry about a little chasing as long as there's no biting. My fish have always done a little chasing and most of them have been together for 10-15 years

Ok good to know. I'll keep watching