Purple tang issue

bahamasmls · Jan 24, 2020

I was wondering if its wise and when to move my purple tang back in my dt. He was in there and bullying everyone, especially new additions(wrasse etc). I finally was able to fish him out and he is now in my smaller frag tank.

I cant really rearrange workout because of corals etc but would love to add him back in later on.

I do have 2 other small tangs not related to the zebrasoma in my 120 gallon. Will he ever forget or will he be aggressive for life?

Thanks

vetteguy53081 · Jan 24, 2020

Should pan out.
One of the most successful and phycological tools for such scenario is placing a mirror at the tank. The tang will hate its image thinking its another tang and focus on that rather than his tankmates

bahamasmls · Jan 24, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Should pan out.
One of the most successful and phycological tools for such scenario is placing a mirror at the tank. The tang will hate its image thinking its another tang and focus on that rather than his tankmates

I tried that. it did work for a few hours but seemed to stress him out even more and then picking on others. Im wondering if it would be wise to maybe trade him in for another purple.

ScottB · Jan 24, 2020

My purple did the same. I trapped him and parked him at my LFS for a month along with a hippo that was taking the brunt of it.

I brought back the purple ALONG WITH a powder blue at the same time. I correctly guessed that the PBT would become the new boss. All was fine for about 6 months until the PBT started getting aggressive. Came back from vacation and had to euthanize the purple. That pained me greatly; he was the one I hand fed for years.

I have come to believe the Tang Police. My 120 display is fine for some juveniles, but once grown they really need cruising space IME.

nereefpat · Jan 24, 2020

3 tangs in a 120 will be tough. And purple can sure be aggressive. What are the other tangs, out of curiosity?

BayouReefer · Jan 24, 2020

I have heard of Powder blues holding a grudge for life but not a purple

drblakjak55 · Jan 24, 2020

Don’t yell tang police. Have in order of addition Tomini, Yellow, Hippo, Purple in 3 yo 90g mixed reef with 100 pound rock. Purple clearly the boss. All near 4 inches. When he eats a sheet of Nori and three other feedings a day his aggressiveness drops 90%. Lots of places to hide and sleep separately. We’ll see

bahamasmls · Jan 24, 2020

nereefpat said:
3 tangs in a 120 will be tough. And purple can sure be aggressive. What are the other tangs, out of curiosity?

Naso
Juvenile chevron, which he picks on all the time

nereefpat · Jan 24, 2020

bahamasmls said:
Naso
Juvenile chevron, which he picks on all the time

To be honest, I think you have a tough situation.

If you keep the Naso (whichever one it is) past its juvenile stage, it will need re-homed. You'll be left with two tangs that don't get along. Hopefully, upon reintroducing the purple, the chevron will be able to hold its own. You could put the purple in the display inside an acclimation box for a while. If it doesn't work out, you'll have to choose between the two.