Mean Yellow Tang

[Jmblank1]

Hello fish people,
I have a 40, gallon FOWLR with a pair of Ocellaris clowns, 1, Purple Dottyback, and a small to medium Yellow Tang, these fish have been together for a year and a half. (18, months) Every time I try to add a fish, the Tang kills it, I just lost a Coral Beauty, lasted 5, days, at first the Tang chased it around, then it mellowed out, a day later it went into beast mode, until the Coral Beauty was gone. Any suggestions?

 

[rockdiver]

I have one also that is fine with all the fish from when he was added but if I add anything else it's the same as you. Mine is in a 120 and he's big and really fat and just a great looking fish.
Would love to sell him but I don't want to tear down the tank to catch him lol
But then I think he prevents me from spending money on fish hah

 

[Kershaw]

When I had my 180gal I had a 9” blue tang that would do this same thing. I only had about 8 fish in the tank and most were small compared to him other then a fox face. No other tangs. I ultimately pulled him out and took him to fish store.

my best guess is it feels this is self preservation. Maybe too small of tank, not enough food, or maybe it’s just an A hole.

 

[N.Sreefer]

Hello fish people,
I have a 40, gallon FOWLR with a pair of Ocellaris clowns, 1, Purple Dottyback, and a small to medium Yellow Tang, these fish have been together for a year and a half. (18, months) Every time I try to add a fish, the Tang kills it, I just lost a Coral Beauty, lasted 5, days, at first the Tang chased it around, then it mellowed out, a day later it went into beast mode, until the Coral Beauty was gone. Any suggestions?

In a 40g that may be a hard problem to end. The more hiding spots and visual barriers the better so tons of LR with as many caverns as possible would def help. Avoid anything with a similar body shape to a tang.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Space confinements and territorial is the issue. I have 13 tangs and 5 are yellow and how peaceful the group are . There 16 other fish in with them.
For the yellow, when introducing another fish which you shouldnt - Place a mirror near its favorite hiding spot and it will become preoccupied with the new imaginary yellow tang than new occupant. Also introduce fish after a feeding and right before lights out- makes a difference with aggression.

 

[Keywest99]

Hello fish people,
I have a 40, gallon FOWLR with a pair of Ocellaris clowns, 1, Purple Dottyback, and a small to medium Yellow Tang, these fish have been together for a year and a half. (18, months) Every time I try to add a fish, the Tang kills it, I just lost a Coral Beauty, lasted 5, days, at first the Tang chased it around, then it mellowed out, a day later it went into beast mode, until the Coral Beauty was gone. Any suggestions?

My powder blue tang killed the last two fish I added to the tank. Got tired of him saying what I could add to the tank, so I sold him to the LFS then added another Pakastani angelfish that the tang killed. Tank is fine without him. I will probably still get another tang, but I learned my lesson to make sure it's the last fish to go in.

 

[Tamberav]

Hello fish people,
I have a 40, gallon FOWLR with a pair of Ocellaris clowns, 1, Purple Dottyback, and a small to medium Yellow Tang, these fish have been together for a year and a half. (18, months) Every time I try to add a fish, the Tang kills it, I just lost a Coral Beauty, lasted 5, days, at first the Tang chased it around, then it mellowed out, a day later it went into beast mode, until the Coral Beauty was gone. Any suggestions?

Not enough territory so the Tang is taking out the competitors. Tangs can be real nasty if their needs are not met.

 

[lilithereefer]

when you add a new fish you should really consider turning the lights off and switching the live rock around some, also you might want to take the tang out for a bit and add the fish and then add the tang back after the fish is in and or comfortable.