Tang aggression help

[Jvesche20]

About 3 months ago I set up a new tank. 240 gallons. I had a scopas tang, sailfin, powder blue tang and a purple tang. They’ve all established territories by now. None of the fish ever get into it. All peaceful never any fights. Well I decided to add 2 yellow tanks. Well things aren’t going so good. First the scopas tang started to attack the yellow tangs and eat the fins. I took the fish out of the tank and took it back to my lfs. Thought issue would be fixed since the purple tang was not doing anything. Well now the purple tang is attacking the yellow tangs. One is just hiding in the corner and the other is trying to fight back. I caught the purple tang today and threw him in the sump.

My plan was to keep the purple tang in the sump for 2 or so weeks so he forgets what was going on and try and throw him back in. This a good idea? Or should I take out the yellow tangs also and throw them all in at the same time. Only one of the yellow tangs seem to be aggressive towards the purple tang so I’m scared the aggressive one will just go back at it later on. What should I do?

 

[monstdog]

First off I have 5 tangs in my tank. Add Nori. I have found this to be the most effective. It seems to really curb aggression if everyone feels full. Just like humans. Then if things are still bad. Add a mirror for a little while. You don't want to rely on the mirror but it does help. Then worse case remove them and next time add all the tangs at the same time.

 

[Kryptonian]

I was looking into adding a yellow tang into my tank. I feel the color would be a great addition and I love the look. I have two blue hippo, a large purple, a blonde naso, and some angels. Most of my research brought me to the conclusion that when a yellow and purple are in the same tank, they have to be added at the same time. Due to aggression/compatibility, I don't think I'm able to add a yellow to this tank as I think I'd be in the same boat as you.

I'm surprised the scopas was the one to flex muscles first. My guess would've been the powder blue or purple taking the first shots. Sometimes it happens where more than one first wants to show aggression, but they let the alpha do the legwork first, then take smaller shots. Would hate for you to remove one fish, then another, and keep having the same problem.

How long has the aggression been happening with the purple? Any chance they're just showing the yellows what territory is claimed and it calms down in a day or two?

I agree with @monstdog that adding a sheet of Nori once a day can have huge benefits. Mine all swarm the sheet but they all know they're gonna get their fair share so none fight with each other over it. (My guess is that you're already doing this)

 

[Jvesche20]

First off I have 5 tangs in my tank. Add Nori. I have found this to be the most effective. It seems to really curb aggression if everyone feels full. Just like humans. Then if things are still bad. Add a mirror for a little while. You don't want to rely on the mirror but it does help. Then worse case remove them and next time add all the tangs at the same time.

I keep
Nori on a clip constant. Refilling 2-3 times a day. Feeding pellets and frozen 2 times a day. Tried a mirror. Distracted the other fish but not the purple tang. I have 2 power heads on one side and both yellow tents hide behind the yellow tangs next to the mirror. Moved the mirror and they haven’t moved. Got them 5 days ago. Still going at it.

 

[Jvesche20]

I was looking into adding a yellow tang into my tank. I feel the color would be a great addition and I love the look. I have two blue hippo, a large purple, a blonde naso, and some angels. Most of my research brought me to the conclusion that when a yellow and purple are in the same tank, they have to be added at the same time. Due to aggression/compatibility, I don't think I'm able to add a yellow to this tank as I think I'd be in the same boat as you.

I'm surprised the scopas was the one to flex muscles first. My guess would've been the powder blue or purple taking the first shots. Sometimes it happens where more than one first wants to show aggression, but they let the alpha do the legwork first, then take smaller shots. Would hate for you to remove one fish, then another, and keep having the same problem.

How long has the aggression been happening with the purple? Any chance they're just showing the yellows what territory is claimed and it calms down in a day or two?

I agree with @monstdog that adding a sheet of Nori once a day can have huge benefits. Mine all swarm the sheet but they all know they're gonna get their fair share so none fight with each other over it. (My guess is that you're already doing this)

It’s been 5 days still going at it. Powder blue is the most chill tang. Never attacked any fish super surprised my self and added many tangs over the time it’s been in the tank.

So should I remove all the yellow tangs? Along with the purple tang. If so how long? Gonna throw them each in their own chamber in my sump. 2 weeks long enough or longer?

 

[Jvesche20]

Only thing that make me think it’s lasting this long is one of the yellow tangs fights back and tries to attack the purple tang. So they keep going at it. The other yellow tang just hides and the purple tang doesn’t mess with it

 

[najer]

How about changing the rockwork about, if the purple has a favourite spot or cave block it, it makes tangs edgy and might help.
I have a scopas and a smaller yellow scopas, they are one and two in the pecking order so yours might well have been boss fish.

 

[rwreef]

I second nori and a mirror and change up some rock work. I've always been told to make separate "islands" in the tank so they can own that space.

 

[MnFish1]

I had this problem - I dont know how long you'v e had them - but mine chased each other around for 2 weeks or so - now are fine - after doing nothing.

 

[Jvesche20]

I had this problem - I dont know how long you'v e had them - but mine chased each other around for 2 weeks or so - now are fine - after doing nothing.

had them in there for 5 days never saw the yellow tangs eat so thats the only thing that worries me and that's why I took out the purple tang. The tangs are now swimming around the tank now that the aggression is over with. going to re add the purple in a few weeks

 

[Jvesche20]

How about changing the rockwork about, if the purple has a favourite spot or cave block it, it makes tangs edgy and might help.
I have a scopas and a smaller yellow scopas, they are one and two in the pecking order so yours might well have been boss fish.

I took the fish out so hopefully he forgets the territories. Ill also move the rockscape around right before re adding the purple to the tank. hopefull this will help.

 

[Jay Williams]

I had this problem - I dont know how long you'v e had them - but mine chased each other around for 2 weeks or so - now are fine - after doing nothing.

What species of tang do you have? I have a scopas and yellow (scopas added 2 days after the yellow) and they fight occasionally but for a few seconds) should I be concerned ? It’s been happening for about a week or so

 

[mindme]

What species of tang do you have? I have a scopas and yellow (scopas added 2 days after the yellow) and they fight occasionally but for a few seconds) should I be concerned ? It’s been happening for about a week or so

Is it really fighting, or more like a "bro off"?

 

[Jay Williams]

Is it really fighting, or more like a "bro off"?

Bro off for the two boys