Does size of tangs determine aggression?

[mjs61290]

Hey everyone.

My friend is moving. He is taking down his tank and asked me if I would babysit his Scopas tang for a few weeks until he is able to get his tank up and running again in his new place.

The problem is, I have a 75G that already has a Kole tang in it. The Kole is about five inches. The Scopas is still a little guy. Can't be any more than two inches long.

So, due to the fact that the Scopas is considerably smaller than the Kole, would he be safe in my tank for the time being? I was under the impression that tangs are more aggressive to other tangs of similar size and that if a significantly smaller tang is added, the big guy won't see it as a threat and will mostly leave it alone.

Am I correct on this?

Help is greatly appreciated. :beer:

 

[Dmorty217]

Use a acclimation box

 

[snorvich]

While that is a good suggestion, it is not that simple in my opinion. Since tangs are very inefficient eaters, they must eat constantly (which results in frequent pooping). It is not clear that there is sufficient algae for two tangs. How mature is the OP tank?

 

[mjs61290]

While that is a good suggestion, it is not that simple in my opinion. Since tangs are very inefficient eaters, they must eat constantly (which results in frequent pooping). It is not clear that there is sufficient algae for two tangs. How mature is the OP tank?

It's a year old. Definitely plenty of algae on the rocks.

 

[Dmorty217]

While that is a good suggestion, it is not that simple in my opinion. Since tangs are very inefficient eaters, they must eat constantly (which results in frequent pooping). It is not clear that there is sufficient algae for two tangs. How mature is the OP tank?

I agree with you Steve but it sounds like he is going to do it anyway so thats why i suggested the acclimation box. At least that way he isn't tearing the tank apart to catch a fish if it doesn't work out. Doesn't sound like there is any other options for tanks for the scopas to go into if it doesn't work

 

[mjs61290]

I agree with you Steve but it sounds like he is going to do it anyway so thats why i suggested the acclimation box. At least that way he isn't tearing the tank apart to catch a fish if it doesn't work out. Doesn't sound like there is any other options for tanks for the scopas to go into if it doesn't work

I am not going to just do it anyway. That's why I am asking.

 

[nuxx]

Every tang is different...

Really comes down to the individual fish, environmental circumstances, etc...

Personally I've had the following happen:
- Different body shape tangs kill each other.
- Small tangs go after larger tangs.
- Aggression after being introduced together.

They tend to just work it out until a good balance is reached. Seemed to have reached that with our Black, Yellow, YB Blue and Chevron. They "removed" the Purple and Tomini in short order over two days after living together for months...

Seem happy now, but I still want to add more tangs so will probably be round two down the line...

 

[Dmorty217]

I am not going to just do it anyway. That's why I am asking.

Well best senario would be to setup a 40g breeder or larger if you have it and keep the tangs seperate.

 

[biomek]

Well best senario would be to setup a 40g breeder or larger if you have it and keep the tangs seperate.

this! I would be cautious of putting any fish into my DT that weren't mine (regardless of your friends QT regimine). My vote is with Dmorty, set up a temp tank all to itself. you could fill it with water from the DT when you do a water change. Much less risk involved for your fish with a little bit of extra work though.