Agressive Powder Blue Tang

[synack]

I have a tank that's been running for quite some time. I had a royal blue tang that was in there for about 8 years along with several other fish including blennys and other tangs. About a year ago I put in a powder blue tang that was about medium sized. Needless to say, the tangs have all passed away except for the powder blue. It was the only tang in there for about the past 6 months.

So on Friday, I purchased a small royal blue tang and put it in the tank. I thought it would be ok in there since there was another one there earlier (albeit a lot larger). Boy was I wrong. The powder blue tang just beats him up nonstop.

Do I have any recourse other than pull out one of the fish? Will something like a rock re-org work? Should I put another big fish in there so that the powder blue won't have just one victim?

Right now, the royal blue just hangs out in one corner and the powder blue just hovers all day. Any ideas?

Help!

 

[Megatrev62]

I'd put a large grouper in there and maybe he'll back off.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I'd put a large grouper in there and maybe he'll back off.

Think a large grouper would be a poor choice for a 120.


To the OP, for that sized tank, I have a feeling that the powder blue is only going to get worse.

 

[Phishguy]

I have read stories of people putting mirrors up to their tanks for a few days and their Tangs calmed down. Never tried it, just relaying. Good luck!

 

[125G Reefer]

Rearanging the landscape sometimes will spoil the big fishy. He will no longer thinks its his tank. .... Sometimes ....

 

[Megatrev62]

Think a large grouper would be a poor choice for a 120.


To the OP, for that sized tank, I have a feeling that the powder blue is only going to get worse.

Just kidding my friend. First of all what's a royal blue tang? Never heard of it. One powder blue in the aquarium alone will be brutal to all introductions. Just my opinion.

 

[geaux xman]

put the blue tang in an acclimation isolation box, so the PBT would get use to seeing it, but cant do any harm.

 

[john rochon]

better yet, do not add any more tangs. That tank is already to small for the PB

 

[tcmfish]

Where do people get these common names?!?!?! Royal blue tang?

I'm assuming you are referring to a hippo, regal, or blue tang. Paracanthurus hepatus.

Being that powder blue tangs are on the aggressive side, it is not surprising that it attacked a new more peaceful similar colored tang. Especially in that size tank.

You can try the mirror trick, rearrange the tank, turn off the lights for a while.

Also next time research before you buy.