Tang aggression and 180 Gallon stocking question

[Dsantamaria29]

Hello,

I have a waterbox 220.6 that I recently added a Powder Blue Tang to approximately 2 weeks or so ago. Ive noticed the PBT and the resident yellow tang going at it quite a bit. The PBT has now also decided to go after the copper band butterfly a bit as well. I've kind of skimmed through the tang aggression post and got a few ideas, one of which was to add another Tang (preferably a Kole tang as I know they stay on the smaller side) however I dont want to overstock the tank.

Currently I have:

5 Lyretail anthias
1 Copperband Butterfly
1 Yellow Tang
1 Powder blue tang
1 Banggai Cardinalfish
2 Ocellaris Clowns
2 Royal Gramma
1 Melanarus Wrasse
1 Yellow watchman goby
1 Dwarf lion

Seems like a lot of fish but want to get an idea from the community.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

I would add a tomini or a kole, both bristle tooth tangs, as they both remain small. An alternative plan would be to add another yellow or a scopas. Having lots of rockwork and "tang tunnels" and arches helps too. I have five tangs in a 125, and all get along, although the clown tang is definitely the boss.

 

[Billldg]

I currently have a LT tang, a Gold Rim tang, and a Tomini Tang in a 120 gal tank. The LT tang and the Gold Rim tang are constantly going at each other. Finally the Gold Rim tang realized that it also has a barb and it actually punks out the LT tang. The funny thing is my Tomini tang stays out of the way. Having multiple tangs in any tank will have some issues, it just all depends on whether the just punk each other out or try and kill each other. It is always a gamble. Yellow tangs in general, I don't care what any one says, are punks. Adding a Tomini tang can help spread the aggression.

 

[CindyKz]

"overstocking" is based more on compatibility, nutrient export and rockwork than a number I think. That having been said, I have more fish in my 180 than you do and I am still adding LOL. I don't know much about lionfish though.

 

[AC1211]

I would add more hiding spots or try divert agression feeding. Also won't that lionfish eat at least the goby and gramma in the future?

 

[Dsantamaria29]

The lion fish does not. It doesn't even eat the small crabs that are in the tank. It's a dwarf species and if I remember correctly they aren't too keen on eating fish (unless they're super hungry). It and one of the grammas have been together for 2-3 years.

 

[mfollen]

I have now 5 tangs in a 180 gal waterbox. One acanthurus, added last.

honestly, the secondthat powder blue was added.. that pretty much sealed the deal no more tangs as it is superior in strength and will defend its territory.

If i were you and if I had to have more tangs, I’d add 3 to disperse aggression. But honestly I wouldn’t do it.

good luck.

 

[Dsantamaria29]

For reference here is my rockscape. I do believe there are a few good hiding places however they like to meet up in the middle and scrimmage.

I forgot to add the Regal angelfish as well

 

[Dsantamaria29]

I have now 5 tangs in a 180 gal waterbox. One acanthurus, added last.

honestly, the secondthat powder blue was added.. that pretty much sealed the deal no more tangs as it is superior in strength and will defend its territory.

If i were you and if I had to have more tangs, I’d add 3 to disperse aggression. But honestly I wouldn’t do it.

good luck.

He did get added last as I was done adding tangs / large fish up until this point. The only reason I want to add more is to divide aggression. Do you think getting him into an acclimation box and adding another tang would help? What about adding another plus a mirror?

 

[Qasimja]

this is the reason i wont get a PBT or purple tang all the fish in my tank get a long well no fighting at all if i put a aggressive fish in there it would be hell tryin to get him out lol

 

[mfollen]

Yes you have an option to remove the aggressor if you can catch it BUT only if you can house it in a separate tank for a few weeks at least.

I did this for a very aggressive black tang on a mission to kill. I removed the tang for 3 weeks,and then reintroduced after the other tangs had time to establish their confidence and territory. When I reintroduced the black tang everything worked out after the dominance establishing square offs set order.

confidence is critical for tangs. It makes all the difference if they can aggressively defend themselves.

to make it more effective, add another non acanthurus tang (smaller or equal to size to aggressor) while the dominant one is gone. The pecking order will be resorted. But the aggressor willeventually be king again.

 

[AZMSGT]

Took about 2 weeks for my fish to all settle in and get along.
My squabbling fish are, Tomni, Kole, Purple tangs, Fox Face and potters angel. Right now they get along but once in a while they mix it up a little. The Purple and fox face have been the big dogs for a while.

If you are willing to wait watch them settle in.