Tang Aggression

[retiredsailor]

Two weeks ago I introduced a Kole's Yellow Eye Tang to my 75 gallon FOWLR tank. He has become a massive bully to almost everyone in the tank. My Royal Gramma has been beat up to the point he hides in a crevice virtually all the time. One of my TR clowns is looking a little beat up with a little fin damage but he still stays out and about. The other TR clown appears fine. The tang has also started going after one of my fire fish.

What can I do to stop his aggression, or at least lower it? We rearranged the rocks to give more hiding spots but it hasn't worked.

The current inhabitants of the tank are; The Kole Tang, 2 TR Clown Fish, 1 Royal Gramma, 2 Fire Fish, 2 Watchman Gobys, 3 different shrimps.
I plan on adding a Cardinal Fish, a Flasher Wrasse, and a Flame Angel to finish out the tank.

Thanks in advance for any help.

ian

 

[3dees]

remove the tang. if you must have one, get one latter and add it last.

 

[TruRacr314x]

Kole Tangs are typically peaceful...but you have come across one that goes against the grain it sounds like. Are you feeding him enough? Aside from that...you may need to trade him in for another.

 

[fragman4]

Some have tried the mirror technique. Instead of putting it on the outside of the tank put a mirror near a spot in the tank where he hangs out. He will go after the mirror instead of the other fish.

 

[Marshall O]

Another vote for a mirror. Although my Kole Tang is one of the most peaceful fish in my very busy 125, it will go after its reflection non-stop whenever I need to use a mirror. Keep the mirror up for a few days and see if anything changes once you remove it.

 

[retiredsailor]

I'll try the mirror. With a wife and 3 daughters there's got to be at least one in the house. Placement won't be a problem because it seems he has decided the whole tank is his.

The tank gets fed every morning and night. In the morning its flakes, at night its either flakes or frozen. Every few days I place a sheet of seaweed in. I just ordered some seaweed flakes so he will be able to get more fiber in his diet more often.

Unfortunately this area is extremely lacking in LFS's. There are 3 within driving distance and they only have the barest of selections for sw fish. The only tangs I've seen around here were a yellow and occasionally a Sailfin. I had the closest one special order the Kole for me and it cost me an arm and a leg. They were looking to order a Flasher Wrasse for me until they told me how much they would charge. Getting the Wrasse from LiveAquaria, with shipping, saved about $40 from the LFS price. I've had other problems with them and don't really trust them any more. I've got a few other fish on the way from LiveAquaria so hopefully they will serve to also disperse his aggression. And the mirror.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll update in a few days, hopefully with good news.

 

[TJ's Reef]

Another +1 on the mirror as a distraction, have used this technique many times over the years with great success. I would also suggest increasing the Algae for its diet, additional Nori feedings especially Red and Brown which is there primary natural food. Another great food option is Hikari 'Seaweed Exrtreme' pellets medium and/or small, all my fish beyond even the five Tangs including Anthias, Cardinals and Wrasses absolutely devour it. I've read some interesting articles regarding feeding high protein meaty foods to primarily Herbivores and increased aggression.

Cheers, Todd

 

[JMSKI333]

I would say the mirror technique is your best bet although It has failed for me in the past.

I put 2-3 mirrors on my tank because I found my tang outsmarted the one mirror in the first day and went back to tank aggression. Multiple mirrors kept him busy while new fish got acclimated.

 

[retiredsailor]

I set up a small round mirror earlier today and the results have me hopefully. Oddly, though, the first fish to find it was the Royal Gramma. And instead of showing aggression he seemed to be trying to sidle up to his reflection, almost in a friendly manner. And that was the first time we had seen it out of it's hiding spot in days. Shortly afterwards it went to a new hiding place which we have yet to locate.

Around an hour ago the Tang found the mirror. It is definitely mad at this "intruder" in his domain. Looking over a few minutes ago it was staying strictly around the mirror, not going farther than 6 inches away. Meanwhile my pair of clownfish were suddenly exploring the rest of the tank for the first time in over a week. I haven't found the Gramma yet but plan to feed early to try and get it to come out.

How long do y'all recommend leaving the mirror up? I imagine I should take it down every so often so it doesn't get used to it and then ignore.

 

[retiredsailor]

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to try and help me. It is very appreciated.

 

[TJ's Reef]

I'm glad it's working out well for you. I'd move the mirror to new locations every once in awhile to keep it distracted. The 'mirror trick' also works very well for catching fish, place the mirror next to a corner of tank and place the net on inside forming a 'U' that it must swim into to engage its reflection. Great for Damsels, Wrasses and Dottybacks.

Cheers, Todd

 

[retiredsailor]

Thanks Todd!

The best part is I just turned the lights on and the Gramma was swimming around the tank. It even went into the corner with the mirror and the tang payed him no attention whatsoever.