Tang on Tang Agression..Help!

[corey.nolta]

About a month and a half ago I was out of town for a concert and came across a killer deal on a yellow tang and a purple tang, both fat and healthy. I met up with the local and talked tank for a while and observed the two fish, which he had in a temporary 55 gallon tank until he could sell them (his 180 sprung a leak and was selling all live stock). The two had been in the 55 for a couple weeks and the guy said they didn't show any aggression towards one another (in the main tank or the holding tank). I did not see any while we talked either, so I decided to make the purchase.

So I get them home and into my 90 (yes, I'm aware this is on the small side for tangs, let alone two, but it was a killer deal and he needed them gone. Although fat, they are still one the small side. I like my tank scape minimal, so there is tons of swimming space as well. And in the rock work that I do have, I have two separate caves on opposite sides of the tanks. So I did think about the purchase before willy nilly buying them and even discussed it with the previous owner.)

So the first few days were fine. No aggression. Then they started going at it more and more and I have to say the yellow tang has some of the biggest barbs I have seen on a tang! It's crazy. So I divided the tank in half with egg crate and left it there for 4 weeks so they could each claim their own cave and own side of the tank...

Well recently took the eggcrate out and they instantly started going after one another. Did lights out for 3 days (heard that sometimes works). Nothing. So I got them back on their side of the tank and put the divider back in.

Tonight I took it back out, and fighting ensued. I happened to have 4 random dollar store mirrors around the house so now I have those hanging all over the tank to give that a try. Because I'm okay with an eggcrate divider for a little bit, but not as a permanent solution. Not fair to livestock and it just looks ugly AF.

Any other suggestions to help!?
(Yes I am aware that if all else fails I will be selling off one of them - I'm okay with that as a last resort)

 

[Fishfinder]

You could try feeding more. But honestly a 90 isn't really big enough for either let alone both of them. You're going to have to pick your favorite one

 

[GHsaltie]

Perhaps it is because of the minimalistic scape that they are being more aggressive, less rockwork to break the line of sight.
@4FordFamily @eatbreakfast

 

[tdileo]

Other problem is they are of the same genus. You can't have two zebrasomas or two acanthurus, etc together in a tank without something that will create a diversion like lots of hiding space or extra tangs to disperse the aggression. I would say pick the one you like more (probably purple) and trade the yellow in for credit or give it to somebody else.

 

[4FordFamily]

Perhaps it is because of the minimalistic scape that they are being more aggressive, less rockwork to break the line of sight.
@4FordFamily @eatbreakfast

Two zebrasoma in a 90 is tough. I HAVE kept a trio of zebrasoma in a 75 for a few years -- but it's not ideal.

Unfortunately I don't see a likely victory for you here.

Do you have other fish? Because more fish would provide more of a distraction, but I also don't recommend adding another tang at this stage, definitely not a sailfin or large zebrasoma.

It's a tough predicament...

Here's some more reading for you. https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/