king of the tank

[b_newman]

I've had a 2" powder blue tang that got fat and grew 1/2" in a few months and now, as well as being most aggressive, is the largest. It was added with a 2" yellow tang to a 120g reef tank that had only a small pair of clown-fish. My question is why does this fish only harass new additions that are bigger than it? So far, the pb tang has chased a newer fairy wrasse, lyretail anthias, and a fire goby(all 1-2") for a day or two, then warm up to each. However, last week when I freed a 4" linatus fairy wrasse from a 5 day acclimation box stay it was never left alone and I haven't seen it for a few days. Is this typical behavior for such an environment? Will this powder blue butt-head always be the largest fish in my peaceful tank?

 

[dzfish17]

I've had a 2" powder blue tang that got fat and grew 1/2" in a few months and now, as well as being most aggressive, is the largest. It was added with a 2" yellow tang to a 120g reef tank that had only a small pair of clown-fish. My question is why does this fish only harass new additions that are bigger than it? So far, the pb tang has chased a newer fairy wrasse, lyretail anthias, and a fire goby(all 1-2") for a day or two, then warm up to each. However, last week when I freed a 4" linatus fairy wrasse from a 5 day acclimation box stay it was never left alone and I haven't seen it for a few days. Is this typical behavior for such an environment? Will this powder blue butt-head always be the largest fish in my peaceful tank?

Some PBTs can be very aggressive, so you may not have a peaceful tank for very long. I have a 7" one in my tank and he is pretty calm most of the time but sometimes he will go after another fish until he drives it into hiding.

 

[rpjaws74]

some pbts can be very aggressive, so you may not have a peaceful tank for very long. I have a 7" one in my tank and he is pretty calm most of the time but sometimes he will go after another fish until he drives it into hiding.

+1

 

[mattsilvester]

I've had a 2" powder blue tang that got fat and grew 1/2" in a few months and now, as well as being most aggressive, is the largest. It was added with a 2" yellow tang to a 120g reef tank that had only a small pair of clown-fish. My question is why does this fish only harass new additions that are bigger than it? So far, the pb tang has chased a newer fairy wrasse, lyretail anthias, and a fire goby(all 1-2") for a day or two, then warm up to each. However, last week when I freed a 4" linatus fairy wrasse from a 5 day acclimation box stay it was never left alone and I haven't seen it for a few days. Is this typical behavior for such an environment? Will this powder blue butt-head always be the largest fish in my peaceful tank?

Territorial fish most often fight with fish which they feel either threatens them or their territory. Smaller fish, of different body type / diet / behaviour are not seen as competitors for food or hiding places and so tend to get less grief.

 

[Triton_Z]

I've had a 2" powder blue tang that got fat and grew 1/2" in a few months and now, as well as being most aggressive, is the largest. Is this typical behavior for such an environment? Will this powder blue butt-head always be the largest fish in my peaceful tank?

Yes, it is typical behavior for this tang and many others. It's his/her tank now. The powder blue will likely "greet" :uzi: all newcomers and existing potential threats to its dominance with this behavior.

It's best to introduce these types of fish last into your tank and consider your stocking complete.

 

[xris]

My yellow tang is the same way.

 

[b_newman]

Would it harass a small maroon clown?