Old Tangs

[killer9918]

Hi everybody I had a quick question about my tangs.

I have two yellow tangs they were both put in at the same time been in the tank for about two-and-a-half years now recently they never really showed any aggression toward each other they were kind of friends.

But I recently added a Foxface rabbitfish to the tank everything was going fine for about 2 weeks now all of a sudden the two tangs are constantly fighting .

the one hangs with the rabbit fish and beats up on the other tang constantly.

I've tried mirrors and pictures of other tangs nothing seems to help.

Really don't want this fish to die should I just take him out or do you guys think things will calm down eventually?

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Sounds like you need more tangs

 

[Big G]

Stress can be a significant factor in poor fish health. What size is your tank?

 

[lagatbezan]

what type of tangs are they and what size is the tank?

 

[killer9918]

what type of tangs are they and what size is the tank?

yellow tang 200g

 

[lagatbezan]

In my experience they tend to get more aggressive as they grow specially when they feel like they don't have enough space and have to compete for food.
increased feeding might help with aggression. If not, you can take them both out for a few days, rearrange some of the rocks and re-add them back in.

 

[killer9918]

In my experience they tend to get more aggressive as they grow specially when they feel like they don't have enough space and have to compete for food.
increased feeding might help with aggression. If not, you can take them both out for a few days, rearrange some of the rocks and re-add them back in.

thanks I will try what you suggested I hope it works.. the one doing the beating has definitely gotten bigger.. the one getting picked on is an older fish.. maybe he's just getting tired ={

 

[lagatbezan]

In my experience Zebrasoma fish can be really mean, specially when they become the dominant fish in the display. They tend to sense when a fish is getting weak, sick or not healthy (specially other Zebrasoma) and beat the &!#* out of them to the point of death.
@4FordFamily is one of the tang expert among many others here. hopefully he has better advice.

 

[4FordFamily]

In my experience they tend to get more aggressive as they grow specially when they feel like they don't have enough space and have to compete for food.
increased feeding might help with aggression. If not, you can take them both out for a few days, rearrange some of the rocks and re-add them back in.

This exactly. Two zebrasoma, particularly conspecifics, often have issues. It can suddenly arise later, especially since now there’s another fish that directly competes for their resources. The fact that they’re the same species means a minor conflict that went under the radar before is suddenly a bigger deal and the target will almost always be a fish of the same species. Three or more yellows is better, two tangs of the same species together are pretty much a worst-case scenario. If no damage is being done, you can wait it out and see what happens. Zebrasoma aggression tends to reduce over time without a stress trigger, but two of the same species is a common exception of this, unfortunately.

 

[Jesterrace]

In my experience they tend to get more aggressive as they grow specially when they feel like they don't have enough space and have to compete for food.
increased feeding might help with aggression. If not, you can take them both out for a few days, rearrange some of the rocks and re-add them back in.

Agreed. When Yellow Tangs hit that 4-5 inch range it's like a switch is flipped and they turn much more aggressive.

 

[killer9918]

This exactly. Two zebrasoma, particularly conspecifics, often have issues. It can suddenly arise later, especially since now there’s another fish that directly competes for their resources. The fact that they’re the same species means a minor conflict that went under the radar before is suddenly a bigger deal and the target will almost always be a fish of the same species. Three or more yellows is better, two tangs of the same species together are pretty much a worst-case scenario. If no damage is being done, you can wait it out and see what happens. Zebrasoma aggression tends to reduce over time without a stress trigger, but two of the same species is a common exception of this, unfortunately.

Thanks for the help guys I managed to catch him with a with a trap I put him in my QT for now but I think I’m just going to take him to my LFS I really don’t wanna take any chances I don’t want to see him die if I can avoid it thanks again for all the help