Tangs

Brandonsegula · May 5, 2017

I have a lieutenant tang and a spotted bristle tooth tang.
The bristle tooth came down with ich bad. He was he newest addition to the tank. He wouldn't eat because he lieutenant tang stressed him out by bullying. So he got sick. The bristle tooth is finally feeling better. Still afraid to come out at times and they fight at times. It's been two days since he's come out again. He's also eating a lot more now since he's feeling better. Will the agression stop between the two with some time? It seems like the aggression worsens an hour before I turn the lights off? If someone can answer these questions I would really appreciate it.

Kershaw · May 5, 2017

My bristle tooth tang randomly gets aggressive. He had been in the tank for over two years.
If the fish is being so aggressive that the other fish can't eat, it is likely you will have to intervien. Either remove the aggressor or Rearrange the live rock. How big is your tank? Your tank may be to small for two tangs.

Maritimer · May 5, 2017

Tangs are remarkably susceptible to stress, for fish that are often ready to hand it out . . . Still ... Ich is a parasite, not a symptom of stress, so unless you've eradicated it from your system, it's still there - and the tangs are still vulnerable.

Have you read this article by @4FordFamily: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/ ? There's a lot of good info there on _why_ tangs are often aggressive, and what to do about it.

Kershaw brings up some good points as well - tangs often defend their territories more fiercely when the territory is smaller, and there are things you can do to help defuse the situation.

~Bruce

Brandonsegula · May 5, 2017

Kershaw said:
My bristle tooth tang randomly gets aggressive. He had been in the tank for over two years.
If the fish is being so aggressive that the other fish can't eat, it is likely you will have to intervien. Either remove the aggressor or Rearrange the live rock. How big is your tank? Your tank may be to small for two tangs.

The bristle tooth I believe wasn't eating mainly to having ich. After treating the parasite. He is feeling better eating but still hides at times to get away from the lieutenant tang. Most of the time the bristle tooth will stand his own but the lieutenant tang can be a butt at the end of the night when I just have my actinic bulb on.

4FordFamily · May 5, 2017

Brandonsegula said:
The bristle tooth I believe wasn't eating mainly to having ich. After treating the parasite. He is feeling better eating but still hides at times to get away from the lieutenant tang. Most of the time the bristle tooth will stand his own but the lieutenant tang can be a butt at the end of the night when I just have my actinic bulb on.

Are they in a qt in small quarters together? Tangs do better in groups of different genus, but with more the aggression is spread. However, if you overstock a tank full of tangs badly they'll stress and die, and one or two may completely lose it and start trying to off their tankmates.

Brandonsegula · May 5, 2017

4FordFamily said:
Are they in a qt in small quarters together? Tangs do better in groups of different genus, but with more the aggression is spread. However, if you overstock a tank full of tangs badly they'll stress and die, and one or two may completely lose it and start trying to off their tankmates.

There's only two and my lfs said the aggression will end over time. That's why I'm asking the forum just to get a second opinion

Kershaw · May 5, 2017

Brandonsegula said:
There's only two and my lfs said the aggression will end over time. That's why I'm asking the forum just to get a second opinion

Some tangs that learn aggression have a hard time ever letting it go

Pongo · May 6, 2017

All of my aggression problems have been solved with an acclimation box.

I would take the lieutenant tang and put him in an acclimation box (jail) in the main tank.
Let the bristle tooth get some peace and settle in.
Maybe the lieutenant tang will ''let it go", maybe not.
Time will tell.

If not, you could repeat the process in reverse.
The lieutenant tang might realize constantly attacking a fish he can't get to is useless and accept the newcomer.
Or maybe not.
Time will tell.

I hope your tank is ich free.
Good luck.

eatbreakfast · May 6, 2017

If the tank isn't big enough for 2 tangs, then the aggression may not ever stop.

Brandonsegula · May 6, 2017

eatbreakfast said:
If the tank isn't big enough for 2 tangs, then the aggression may not ever stop.

The aggression isn't bad. They just size eachother up sometimes. Bristletooth has been hiding all day. I think it will just take time until he is comfortable to come out. He's eating a little bit. Not as much as I'd like but a little is better than nothing. He's more active at night when all other fish are sleeping that's when he does the most swimming. Do you think nori on a clip when lights are out will help him?