nasty yellow tang...

[scarter]

I recently lost my Naso tang. it was the largest fish in the tank. While not aggressive the Naso kept the pecking order in line. Ever since the Naso died the Yellow Tang has picked up the habbit of nipping and chaseing my other fish. I recently bought a large magnificent rabbit. the rabbit is also very docile. I thought that haveing a bigger fish in the tank would put the yellow back in her place but she is getting worse by the day. Now the Yellow is actually backing up into the other fish, attempting to cut them with her spine. She will also swim next to them and turn sharply in an attempt to swipe her spine against the other fish.
My questions
Is there any chance that this behaviour will stop?
What can be done besides removeing the fish? (I dont think I could get her out of there)
Since there are no marks on the other fish, is it ok to allow this behaviour to continue?
Should I buy another Naso or other fish to help put her in her place?

thanks for the help.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Good news and bad news.

good news is that your yellow is likely not trying to cut the other fish. Have you seen any injuries? If not, she is just gesturing. Tangs do this, they are dominant fish to any that enter their domain. Like I said, it is usually just harmless gesturing, though.

bad news-it likely wont stop, and certainly adding more fish will not solve it. You have a pecking order, and the only way to disrupt it is to move the yellow out (maybe just temporarily), or significantly alter the tank (rockwork, decor, etc.) so that everyone starts out fresh. This is why every piece of literature on setting up a community tank says to add the most aggressive fish last.

 

[scarter]

Thanks for your advice.