Yellow Tang Being Unruly

roadkeel · Feb 7, 2015

Yesterday I added a Lemon Peel Angel to my 90 DT. I have a small Yellow Tang and a small Scopas Tang that we introduced together a few months ago. Well the Yellow Tang is constantly harrassing the Lemon Peel, but only when the white lights are on. If the blue lights are on or it is completely dark they stay somewhat together with no aggression. When the Yellow Tang corners the Lemon Peel it is only tail slapping it. I have not seen any nipping (yet). The Scopas is actually staying with the Lemon Peel and trying to protect it. I know Yellow Tangs can be aggressive if they are not the last fish added to the tank. I have tried to catch the YT and put it in the sump, but without taking down a lot of the aquascaping. I am keeping an eye on the Lemon Peel to make sure it shows no signs of nipped fins or other injuries. And the Lemon Peel has a couple of hiding spots that the Yellow Tang can't get in. S

hould the aggression stop in a few days?

Smithjm5 · Feb 7, 2015

It could stop but I'd just keep an eye on them if you say he's not biting. I've heard a lot of people use a small mirror on the side of tank so the tang will argue with himself until he gets used to the new lemon peel.

Reefing Madness · Feb 7, 2015

He may stop in a few days, which is usually the case. You could try rearranging the rock work, that will knock him out of his territory.

snelly40 · Feb 7, 2015

yah unfortunately this is quite common. That's a small space for a scopas and a lemon and a yt. the yellow tang is fighting what he thinks is a similar fish and it probably won't stop, tangs can be ruthless and he'll keep tail whipping him with his weapon... as they all grow this might just get worse or he'll kill it first... sorry

roadkeel · Feb 7, 2015

Thanks for the replies and advice. I have been out of the house most of the afternoon and when I got back 95% of the aggression has stopped. They are swimming close together with no chasing or tail slapping. I checked the lemon peel over and there are no nipped fins. But I plan to keep a close eye to make sure we don't regress any... Fingers crossed.