Fat Bully Sailfin

[SorshaKay]

Let's talk about Puddin', the Sailfin Tang. He's the terror of my tank. (I just call him a he, I have no idea) I have a 75G Reef with 4 Ocellaris Clowns, 2 Orange and 2 Black, 1 Diamond Watchman goby, one very small Blue Green Chromis, 1 Banggai Cardinal and that is it. Unfortunately, when I started the hobby I was scared of a sump/had no idea how to set them up, etc. so everything is HOB.

My main concern for making this thread is that Puddin eats EVERYTHING. He zips around taking food from my clowns, my Banggai huddles in a corner scared, and the itty bitty Chromis could care less. I have to overfeed just to get food down to my chicken Goby, who is also scared of the tang. I don't have any ammonia, nitrates, etc. My tank is covered in coraline algae so I hope I'm not doing anything wrong at this point other than overfeeding. The tank is close to 2 years old and I added the Sailfin 2 months ago.

1. Is my Sailfin fat??? Since he eats everything I'm worried he is overweight.
2. Can I lesson his aggression towards my other fish?
3. Do you feel that my tank is overstocked? I have heard so many opinions and would like more insight.

I tried to upload some pics of him and it keeps failing! I will keep trying.

 

[SorshaKay]

 

[SorshaKay]

One from the back lol

 

[Dkuhlmann]

You're tank isn't overstocked, it has one wrong fish for the others you have. You would do best to bring it back where you bought it and trade it for a store credit. Then research other fish you would like to have and get them. It's too aggressive of a fish for the others you have. I'm surprised you don't have a problem with the clowns fighting.

 

[hotelbravo]

having 4 clowns in that size tank is bound to have probles also. i agree with taking the tang back he is to large for that tank.

 

[gone fishin]

I would agree the sailfin aggression will not lessen with time, more than likely increase as it gets older. The tank IMO is to small for the fish.

 

[ca1ore]

Ah, you clearly failed to read the 'tank size for tangs' sticky :lol: You don't say how large the Sailfin is, but they get huge and can be problematic even when smaller in tight quarters. I have one in my 7ft 265, and I can easily envision the day when either an even larger tank or re-homing will be in order. Trade it back to the LFS.

 

[Dmorty217]

Your tank isn't overstocked but is too small for the sailfin like mentioned above.

 

[SorshaKay]

The clowns do fight a little, but nothing more than normal clown activity. They have been in my tank for a year and a half. The two oranges have hosted and stay in the left side and my blacks are more submissive and stay to the right. There is only one clear male in the tank and he is one of the oranges that stay to the left. They actually don't interact much. I would remove someone, but I never see any signs of fin nipping or anything like that.

As for the sailfin comment, "Ah, you clearly failed to read the 'tank size for tangs' sticky" I find that very rude. As you can see this is my first time here, and he's already been in my tank for two months. He is about 4" from top to bottom. I research ALL the fish before I put them in my tanks. Apparently, I researched the wrong places. I know LFS are notorious for feeding you bull, but they actually gave me choices for the size of my tank and the sailfin was among them. I really trust this place, and they haven't put me wrong until now.

In a year or a little more we will be getting a 350G so I may end up taking him back or I may try and hold out to see if he will last until the upgrade.

 

[snorvich]

Long term, the four clownfish will likely become only two as they sexually mature. The sailfin will get more aggressive and the behavior you are concerned with will get worse. The LFS gave you bad advice.

 

[Dmorty217]

As for the sailfin comment, "Ah, you clearly failed to read the 'tank size for tangs' sticky" I find that very rude.

This isn't what Simon meant it to be so don't take it that way. People get tangs all the time on here that will grow way too big for their tanks then post problems with the fish as they arise, hence why there is a sticky addressing the issue. If he was trying to be rude to you, it would of sounded a lot different.:thumbsup:

 

[hotelbravo]

your local fish store did give you bad advice. i love my lfs they are great people i spend alot of time there, i volunteer on my off days but i hear them give recommendations all the time that are along the same lines as this. for example a customer asked what triggers can go in a 55g and the reply named off a few to include a clown trigger which liveaquaria.com states those need a minimum 300g tank. so while you can like your lfs all you want there is nothing wrong with that. its beneficial to verify what they are telling you. we here on this forum are not trying to make a sale on you and are only here to help you. your lfs has to stay in business and selling someone a fish is how they do it.

 

[campos]

I hate to say it but your Puddin' is like an inmate in his cell. Small quarters cause nothing but aggression. That fish gets huge and should be in at the smallest a 180 gallon

 

[ca1ore]

As for the sailfin comment, "Ah, you clearly failed to read the 'tank size for tangs' sticky" I find that very rude. As you can see this is my first time here, and he's already been in my tank for two months. He is about 4" from top to bottom. I research ALL the fish before I put them in my tanks. Apparently, I researched the wrong places. I know LFS are notorious for feeding you bull, but they actually gave me choices for the size of my tank and the sailfin was among them. I really trust this place, and they haven't put me wrong until now.

In a year or a little more we will be getting a 350G so I may end up taking him back or I may try and hold out to see if he will last until the upgrade.

It's hard to convey intent in the black and white type (well, mostly) of a forum post, though I would have thought the 'smiley' would have conveyed a lighthearted tone ..... apparently not. Though now you know there is a sticky, so some public service done. Unfortunately many LFS are in the business of selling you stuff, but not necessarily the right stuff. Some exceptions of course. Better to ask here, though a modicum of humor helps, lest you perceive the cynical amongst reposts as 'rude'. It's also wise to buy animals based on the tank you own today, rather than some intended upgrade. Sometimes they happen, but often they don't. That is, of course, my own cynical view

 

[urbanrat84]

You're tank isn't overstocked, it has one wrong fish for the others you have. You would do best to bring it back where you bought it and trade it for a store credit. Then research other fish you would like to have and get them. It's too aggressive of a fish for the others you have.

This is perfect advice right here - its a bit like putting a stroppy thoroughbred in a paddock with miniature ponies, Puddin' thinks he's king and the others can't compete at the dinner table

 

[79chopperdr]

I have a Sailfin about twice the size of yours in my 210. It dashes around the tank like a madman when I'm standing in front of the tank. I started to worry that aggression was setting in too. Then I watched the tank from afar, it was a different fish, calm and peaceful. My kids confirmed the Sailfin only acts like that when I'm there. So my theory is the mad dash is his way of begging for food.

 

[horseplay]

Tang should not be kept in anything less than 6' tank. Even those recommended by LA or anyone else due to their swimming style. I am not trying to be a Tang police and could care less about whether your fish is stunted but it's just not a relaxing experience for all the fish in the tank and for the people trying to enjoy looking at the tank.

 

[SorshaKay]

Well i'm not going to apologize that I initially thought they were being rude. I see I was wrong, but my perception is my own. It just sounded sarcastic and slightly condescending to me, but that is water under the bridge.

I've never been in the habit of buying fish "planning" for an upgrade, you are right that it isn't wise. I got to thinking about it though, and my LFS are the ones that will be doing the build so I think what might have happened is he knew the sailfin would be put in larger soon? I'm hoping that was it, but if not oh well. I'll just have to really watch what I listen to from now on.

Yeah I think the zip and zoom is him begging. He's so mellow when no one is in front of the tank. He just swims around. I'm NOT looking forward to catching this guy to take him back :uhoh3: Just like the peppermint shrimp that ate my coral. Ugh.

As for my clowns, I will continue to monitor them closely but like I said they have already been in there for a year and a half, closer to two years. I know things can go sour fast, but I think I have a small harem and as long as the female stays female and the males stay males we will be okay. If I see any increase at fighting at all I will remove immediately.

 

[hotelbravo]

As for my clowns, I will continue to monitor them closely but like I said they have already been in there for a year and a half, closer to two years. I know things can go sour fast, but I think I have a small harem and as long as the female stays female and the males stay males we will be okay. If I see any increase at fighting at all I will remove immediately.

if the clowns have claimed territories on opposite sides of the tank like i believe you described above then in my opinion you got lucky and they should work out. but as for the gender changing.. once a female there is no changing sex its the last step and its irreversible. and from the sounds of it you likely have a male and female in both groups instead of your original theory of a female and bunch of males.

 

[ca1ore]

I've never been in the habit of buying fish "planning" for an upgrade, you are right that it isn't wise. I got to thinking about it though, and my LFS are the ones that will be doing the build so I think what might have happened is he knew the sailfin would be put in larger soon? I'm hoping that was it, but if not oh well. I'll just have to really watch what I listen to from now on.

We've all ended up with the 'wrong fish' at some point, regardless of the reason. Anyone who says they haven't is being dishonest . The issue with some tangs (with Hippo and Sailfin at the top of the list) is that crowded quarters can make them crazy and then you have a problem on your hands. If that happens, return it to the same LFS that sold it to you in the first place.