Introducing New Fish and Curbing Yellow Tang Aggression

[Bolivian Ram]

Hey guys,

I have a big problem. I purchased 2 fish, a Flame Angel and a Yellow Tang. When I finally put them into my display tank the yellow tang killed my flame angel. He did it pretty fast too. Cornered him between a rock cave and swiped him with his scalpel. Funny thing is that he didn't mess around with my current fish, 2 Pajama Cardinals, 2 Occeleris Clowns and a Coral Beauty. I love the tang, he has a lot of character and is fun too watch zipping through the caves with my coral beauty. But I feel I can't add any other fish to the tank. I really want to add a Kole Tang since they are great grazers. But I'm afraid the yellow won't take kindly to the Kole. The Yellow tang is around 4.5".

Besides this I may have hit the limit of fish stocking wise. My tank is a 90 gallon. Is a Kole tang suitable for my tank and how should I introduce it? What size of Kole should I try to obtain? I think my flame died due to being the smallest fish.

 

[Deinonych]

I wouldn't add a Kole given the YT's aggression. A 90gal tank is really too small for a YT, which is probably why you are seeing more aggression from it. Adding another fish that occupies the same biological niche (i.e. a Kole) will likely make the aggression worse. Maybe look into adding a wrasse or other fish that the YT won't see as competition. Also, consider purchasing an acclimation box so any new additions won't get shredded by the YT upon introduction.

 

[Bolivian Ram]

I see. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into other fish and the acclimation box.

 

[snorvich]

I wouldn't add a Kole given the YT's aggression. A 90gal tank is really too small for a YT, which is probably why you are seeing more aggression from it. Adding another fish that occupies the same biological niche (i.e. a Kole) will likely make the aggression worse. Maybe look into adding a wrasse or other fish that the YT won't see as competition. Also, consider purchasing an acclimation box so any new additions won't get shredded by the YT upon introduction.

I agree.

 

[Dmorty217]

A larger tank is your only option