Suddenly aggressive tang

[ReefQueen]

You all know Harold right? My beloved, derpy, somewhat deformed rescue yellow tang. (See my thread about special fish to learn more). Today he has suddenly become a huge jerk, to ME, and I cannot figure out why. He, and all of his pals, were recently moved into a tank double the size of his old home, so he should be more then happy. When he was in the cube I never had an issue with putting my hand in the tank, so when I went in to go on an aiptasia murdering spree I was not expecting to get sliced! Luckily he is tiny and didn't get me deep, but they don't call them surgeon fish for nothing! Isn't this the opposite if what is the norm? I would expect aggression to start in smaller quarters, not in larger. He never goes after the other fish, in fact he has a crush on my male C. Cyanopleura wrasse, I can't blame him, I do too. Perhaps he was just defending the wrasse because my hand was too near? The problem is I am still working on the tank and have small rock adjustments I want to make. Fresh nori only kept him busy until my hand got more then halfway down the tank, and even after it was out he was stalking me while I walked back and forth in front of the tank. Does anyone have any opinions on why this is now an issue, and possible ways I can help combat this? The bright pink gloves did not deter him and it's not like changing the rock work around will help, the scape is all new to him anyway lol.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Wow, you like getting hurt don't you? lol. new home , so he might be establishing territory still.

 

[ReefQueen]

Wow, you like getting hurt don't you? lol. new home , so he might be establishing territory still.

Haha not especially, I have just been having some crappy luck lately. I didn't have any issues when I first got him. Perhaps he is comfortable with his tank mates now, so they aren't intimidating him anymore. Therefore he is showing his true colors so to speak? I just assumed the whole tank was his territory since he is a tang and they just go everywhere lol.

 

[Tahoe61]

I think is more of a maturing issue and some defending territory attitude mixed in. My Rabbit fish would do it in a heart beat but he is otherwise non aggressive, he just hates me messing in the tank.

 

[ReefQueen]

I think is more of a maturing issue and some defending territory attitude mixed in. My Rabbit fish would do it in a heart beat but he is otherwise non aggressive, he just hates me messing in the tank.

When do they stop maturing typically? He is at least 6 years old. I just don't understand why this is an issue now and not before. Perhaps the other tank was small enough that he really couldn't have his own territory?

 

[Karmann]

When do they stop maturing typically? He is at least 6 years old. I just don't understand why this is an issue now and not before. Perhaps the other tank was small enough that he really couldn't have his own territory?

Bingo, you need to add more fish [emoji6]

 

[ReefQueen]

Bingo, you need to add more fish [emoji6]

I was wondering if that could be a thing too. Don't you worry, there will be more fish eventually there is an adorable little desjardini sailfin tang with facial scarring, that has a similar story to Harold's, I have been eying up. I feel like that would just be inviting disaster with an already established zebrasoma though.

 

[Karmann]

I was wondering if that could be a thing too. Don't you worry, there will be more fish eventually there is an adorable little desjardini sailfin tang with facial scarring, that has a similar story to Harold's, I have been eying up. I feel like that would just be inviting disaster with an already established zebrasoma though.

I love the Desjardini, well anything from the Red Sea that is reminds me of home. My yellow tang used to rule the tank, once I added the Vlamingi he tried to pick on her only to surprise him with a blue throat a week later then a Naso few weeks after, between them and the mellow blue tang there is no turf war. All looks happy and fat [emoji6].

 

[ReefQueen]

I love the Desjardini, well anything from the Red Sea that is reminds me of home. My yellow tang used to rule the tank, once I added the Vlamingi he tried to pick on her only to surprise him with a blue throat a week later then a Naso few weeks after, between them and the mellow blue tang there is no turf war. All looks happy and fat [emoji6].

Unfortunately one more tang would be my limit, and I even hesitate to do that with how he has been acting. I am afraid he might do to any new additions what he did to me. I think I better start looking for an acclimation box just incase, because I have a big wish list

 

[Karmann]

Is he behaving now or still being obnoxious?

 

[Bbaz123456]

I'd be angry at the world too if I looked like Harold. Haha, poor guy.

 

[4FordFamily]

I've literally never been stabbed by any of my 15 or so tangs over the years, or the dozens of others I've had. Not saying it can't happen, but either he's very aggressive or it was more of an accident?

Maybe he's more on edge and defensive because of his "condition" he feels he needs to act out to stay safe?

I've heard of people getting stabbed by their tangs but I've never seen anything from any of mine, not even from the most aggressive and territorial of tangs -- of which I have many (powder blue, clown, sohal, powder blue, Atlantic blue, etc)

 

[4FordFamily]

I'd be angry at the world too if I looked like Harold. Haha, poor guy.

I think he looks kind of cool, like a misshapen yellow filefish or something

 

[DeniseAndy]

When do they stop maturing typically? He is at least 6 years old. I just don't understand why this is an issue now and not before. Perhaps the other tank was small enough that he really couldn't have his own territory?

Take off the yellow tang tattoo from your hand. That might be the problem.

 

[ReefQueen]

Is he behaving now or still being obnoxious?

Honestly I have been too busy, so I haven't even put my hands in the tank since that day. The rock I was trying to move is still leaning against the overflow lol

 

[ReefQueen]

I'd be angry at the world too if I looked like Harold. Haha, poor guy.

Haha hush, he is beautiful in his own way lol

 

[ReefQueen]

I've literally never been stabbed by any of my 15 or so tangs over the years, or the dozens of others I've had. Not saying it can't happen, but either he's very aggressive or it was more of an accident?

Maybe he's more on edge and defensive because of his "condition" he feels he needs to act out to stay safe?

I've heard of people getting stabbed by their tangs but I've never seen anything from any of mine, not even from the most aggressive and territorial of tangs -- of which I have many (powder blue, clown, sohal, powder blue, Atlantic blue, etc)

I really don't think he even notices his "condition" lol. Him being a sweetheart in his old tank also mashes me think that's not the issue. I hope he was just having a bad few days or that when I add some new fish he is back to normal. Everyone thinks he looks like a file fish/tang hybrid lol

 

[njtiger aquariums]

how long after putting him in the new tank did this happen? Not sure but might be stress of moving or the fear of moving again lol

 

[Bbaz123456]

I've literally never been stabbed by any of my 15 or so tangs over the years, or the dozens of others I've had. Not saying it can't happen, but either he's very aggressive or it was more of an accident?

Maybe he's more on edge and defensive because of his "condition" he feels he needs to act out to stay safe?

I've heard of people getting stabbed by their tangs but I've never seen anything from any of mine, not even from the most aggressive and territorial of tangs -- of which I have many (powder blue, clown, sohal, powder blue, Atlantic blue, etc)

I agree as a 20 year tang collector, my most aggressive towards other fish seem to be more shy around me.
I've never been sliced either. But fish are weird. I don't think I've ever had a tank without a blue hippo in it, now I have 3 hippos along with, at least 20 other species of tangs. 1 of the hippos is the biggest prick of a fish I have ever kept. Not towards me but the other fish and they are usually one of the most docile tangs.
I do have a mimic tang right now in a frag tank that I have a feeling will be my first slicing incident. He used to be the friendliest of fish but seems to be getting more aggressive towards me, or he's just really happy to see my hands now. He also loves to splash water directly into my eyes if I'm just looking into the tank from above.

 

[Karmann]

Hmm so the consensus is user error! [emoji39]