Another question about tangs!

[The Reef Addict]

Hello Everyone!

Im new here to the forum, although I have been browsing for years. Im into the reef hobby now more than ever, ive been at it for about 4 years. I have a 75g DT

Anyways, im hoping I can get some advice on my setup, as I am experiencing some issues with some tank mates. I have a Red Sea Sailfin (about 4") who is a bit overly aggressive in general. If my Coral Beauty is swimming in his path, he will chase her into the rocks.. Just an example. So last night I introduced a small (maybe 3") Powder Blue at night with the lights off. This morning the powder blue has a couple ripped fins, but otherwise looks great! No ich, and hes eating like a champ. So, as many of you probably wont be surprised to hear, the tangs are battling it out here and there to establish their dominance.

The Red Sea Sailfin will go up to the Powder Blue, they will both extend their fins, and kind of smack eachother with their tailfin, is this normal?? I have also seen the Sailfin chase off the Powder blue, and other times they just kind of swim by each other giving the eye ball routine. For being much smaller in size, this Powder Blue has some serious cahones!! Do you guys think the aggression will die down, or do you think the Sailfin will ultimately be a dink as long as he lives in this tank?

 

[scooter31707]

Welcome,

Well I have some bad news for you, neither one of them should be in that tank. The Powder Blue requires a 180 or bigger and the Salfin requires roughly a 8ft tank. They are being aggressive because the are stressed out from lack of space. I recommend you take them back to your LFS or you will have serious problems on your hands. Powder Blues are very aggressive and Salfins can be jerks to. 1 of 2 things are going to happen, a death or some type of illness from stress which you will have to look at a fishless tank for 72 days.

 

[Dmorty217]

+1^ neither of those tangs can be in a 75g

 

[acebigalowe]

+2. At least take one of the tangs out for now.

 

[The Reef Addict]

+1^ neither of those tangs can be in a 75g

Yea, I kinda knew I was pushing the envelope adding in the powder tang. My plan is to upgrade to a much larger tank within the next year. Given that the powder I got is pretty small, do you think I can keep him for the time being, and turn in the red sea sailfin and get another when the time is right? (aka serious tank upgrade) The powder is doing really well, and he is already getting along better with my other tank mates than the sailfin has

 

[scooter31707]

Honestly, I don't recommend doing that. We hear I'm upgrading soon to a bigger tank. Just be prepared because your plans don't always go accordingly. That upgrade may not be able to come and you are stuck with a aggressive fish that needs a bigger tank. I recommend just purchase fish that are compatible to that size tank and once the upgrade comes add the PB. Not being harsh, but in that size tank that's a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

 

[Dmorty217]

Yea, I kinda knew I was pushing the envelope adding in the powder tang. My plan is to upgrade to a much larger tank within the next year. Given that the powder I got is pretty small, do you think I can keep him for the time being, and turn in the red sea sailfin and get another when the time is right? (aka serious tank upgrade) The powder is doing really well, and he is already getting along better with my other tank mates than the sailfin has

The aggression of the powder blue towards the other inhabitants will dictate how long it will work in the 75g. Size of the powder doesn't matter as much since one day whether he is big or small he will become a real bully to others in the tank because he feels that the whole tank is his area.

 

[The Reef Addict]

Just be prepared because your plans don't always go accordingly. That upgrade may not be able to come and you are stuck with a aggressive fish that needs a bigger tank.

I can respect that, dont worry Im not taking it as you guys being harsh. Id rather get honest opinions. It was my bad getting both of them in the first place, I listened to the guy at the LFS who said "yea that should be fine." I knew there was a potential for problems, but still went ahead and took the risk.

I appreciate your advice, and your honesty! I am going to get the Sailfin out for now, which shouldnt be to hard- he would probably swim into a net with food in it! And I may end up bringing back the Powder, but for now I may let him be.. As he probably will not let me catch him so easily.

 

[ca1ore]

The trouble with the larger Tangs, and sailfin are certainly in this category, is that they can get hyper aggressive if crowded. So it's not that you can't put one in too small of a tank (many folks do and 'report' no problems), but that you'll have aggression and even feeding problems.

 

[The Reef Addict]

The aggression of the powder blue towards the other inhabitants will dictate how long it will work in the 75g. Size of the powder doesn't matter

That makes perfect sense. I understand its a risk, but I might be willing to take it for the time being. No disrespect to you guys, I really do appreciate you guys giving me such good advice in a short time frame.

Without the sailfin in the tank, all I have is the coral beauty, 2 clowns, 2 neon gobys, a watchman/pistol shrimp, a mandarin, and 2 cleaner shrimps/fire shrimps.

 

[The Reef Addict]

The trouble with the larger Tangs, and sailfin are certainly in this category, is that they can get hyper aggressive if crowded.

I think thats exactly what is going on. As I said before, the sailfin will chase the coral beauty sometimes just for being where she is. Right now the little powder is swimming around with the coral beauty.. As I prepare to get this sailfin out.

 

[The Reef Addict]

Got the Sailfin in QT! Just until I can get him back to the LFS. Some of you may already know this, but a great way to catch fish without taking apart your whole tank: clear acryllic sheets, and bait. Wont work in every situation, but its worked for me a bunch of times!