Powder blue Tang in bad shape

[TremblantAquarium]

Found my Powder Blue stuck to my Vortech this morning, have him in separate area, barely breathing. See picture, comments welcomed.

 

[JGT]

Had to have been in bad shape prior. Healthy fish don't get sucked into wavemakers. What behavior were you seeing prior?

 

[TremblantAquarium]

Had to have been in bad shape prior. Healthy fish don't get sucked into wavemakers. What behavior were you seeing prior?

He was hanging around the corners of the tank, being shy (not usual behavior). I fed him and he came out. Saw a little damage on his back fin, but nothing major.

 

[JGT]

How long have you had him. What are the other tank occupants?

 

[TremblantAquarium]

How long have you had him. What are the other tank occupants?

I bought the whole ecosystem from someone closing his tank about 18 months ago. The mix he had wasn't ideal (2 pairs of clowns, 2 tangs, one yellow, one powder blue). The tangs squirmished a little at first but seemed fine lately. Other fish are 2 Cardinals, Six Line Wrasse, Yellow tail damsel and flame angel.

 

[Enderg60]

The territory has been changed so a new fight took place. The PBT lost. If he makes it you have 3 options.

Put him back and hope he doesnt get beat down again.
Rearrange the tanks rocks again and see if that settles things down.
Give him away.

 

[TremblantAquarium]

The territory has been changed so a new fight took place. The PBT lost. If he makes it you have 3 options.

Put him back and hope he doesnt get beat down again.
Rearrange the tanks rocks again and see if that settles things down.
Give him away.

So for sure this is aggression?

 

[TremblantAquarium]

As a preventive measure I did a water change and I added a poly-filter in case I have a weird metal accumulating.

 

[Enderg60]

So for sure this is aggression?

Nothing is certain. A much better pic would be needed but I dont see any real body damage. Also given what you said about it being a pre-existing peaceful setup, my best guess is aggression in the form of being chased to exhaustion.

And since no other fish seem to be effected, water quality issues dont seem a good fit.