Large tank guys... do your tangs randomly chase each other for hours?

[nuxx]

Hey everyone...

Just noticed that our 5.5" Black Tang has started chasing our 4" Yellow Tang around a lot. It's been going on for about 2-3 hours now.

The Yellow Tang has some torn fins and the Black has a few visible scrapes.

They've been together for about 18 months, no issues until today.

Normal for these guys in bigger thanks?

Chances of them working it out?

Thanks :thumbdown

 

[Tigerdragon]

At times they get into spats but then settle down

 

[nuxx]

Yeah it's pretty annoying...

I was cleaning the tank as I noticed it...

 

[karimwassef]

The little guy did something to **** off the big guy.. Like eating something he wanted or not getting out of his way fast enough.

So the big guy is kicking the crap out of the little guy. Eventually, he'll make sure he gets his point across and move on.

It helps to have the biggest tangs be the more docile kinds - they tend to calm things down. I've found a big regal or naso do this well. Also helps to have more little guys to divert attention - so it's not always one on one.

 

[nuxx]

The little guy did something to **** off the big guy.. Like eating something he wanted or not getting out of his way fast enough.

So the big guy is kicking the crap out of the little guy. Eventually, he'll make sure he gets his point across and move on.

It helps to have the biggest tangs be the more docile kinds - they tend to calm things down. I've found a big regal or naso do this well. Also helps to have more little guys to divert attention - so it's not always one on one.

Yeah we have a ~ 6" Yellow Bellied Blue... he's a beast, but is staying out of it.

Wanting to add 4 more tangs down the line (Gem, Zebra, Ach. and Ach. Hybrid) but really wanted a lot more fish in there first...

I kind of thought the Crosshatches would help with tang aggression down the line, but they're the biggest pussycats...

 

[anbosu]

I have 4 in my 360 and they do not chase each other, although I have no zebrasoma in the aquarium.

 

[d-man]

Nope, but then again I only have 4 in an 11' tank. A 3.5" gem, a 5" black, 6" fowleri, and a 2.5" mustard

 

[SPotter]

mine have been great up until the last few days......there seems to be some turf wars going on and I might need to do some thinning of the tang population. I haven't noticed any torn fins or lacerations yet.

 

[Pastey]

My achilles and sailfin occasionally do some chasing / posturing in my 200. I've noticed a scrape on one or the other on rare occasions but I've noticed that having food for them to graze on keeps them preoccupied. I also notice that doing things "out of the norm" or something that upsets the tank tends to kick off some aggression between them. Things like cleaning the glass, having my hand in the tank for pretty much any reason (rare) and the big one is water changes. When I have the pumps and powerheads off while I'm performing a water change, they're CONSTANTLY at it until the tank resumes operation.

 

[nuxx]

Thanks guys

Seems to have calmed down a lot today...

The Black would just dart after the Yellow every time he saw him yesterday... even during feedings.

Today they are still pretty close to each other, but the Yellow will just leave and the Black is showing 100000x less aggression.

Video:

 

[Dmorty217]

Hey everyone...

Just noticed that our 5.5" Black Tang has started chasing our 4" Yellow Tang around a lot. It's been going on for about 2-3 hours now.

The Yellow Tang has some torn fins and the Black has a few visible scrapes.

They've been together for about 18 months, no issues until today.

Normal for these guys in bigger thanks?

Chances of them working it out?

Thanks :thumbdown

Are they the only Zebrasomas?

 

[ca1ore]

My tangs mix it up pretty regularly, particularly the yellow and purple. I figure it's the fishy analog of of my two boys: best friends 80% of the time, attempting to kill each other the remainder. Although, I don't think my fish are ever actually best friends :lol:

 

[nuxx]

Are they the only Zebrasomas?

Yeap...

Want to add a gem down the line though...

They were in there with a small Purple, but he was a brat and the Yellow and Yellow Bellied Blue killed him about a year ago.

They're best friends again now. No chasing, hanging out together and fins have healed.

Stupid fish :blown:

 

[Dmorty217]

Yeap...

Want to add a gem down the line though...

They were in there with a small Purple, but he was a brat and the Yellow and Yellow Bellied Blue killed him about a year ago.

They're best friends again now. No chasing, hanging out together and fins have healed.

Stupid fish :blown:

Haha yes. Better figure that out before a Gem comes along

 

[nuxx]

Haha yes. Better figure that out before a Gem comes along

I just think more fish...

When that happened it was pretty much 4 tangs and some cardinals...

 

[karimwassef]

I find that more fish can help in a big tank.

It's the difference between "survivor" on an island with 7 contenders vs. living in an urban city...

In the city, you don't make trouble - the risk of being damaged and others taking advantage of your injury is too high for petty squabbles.