I have a powder blue tang in a 120g that keeps chasing a newly added melanurus wrasse. The 3" wrasse was in an acclimation box for a day but jumped out when I forgot to put the cover back on. Now it's chased and harassed by the blue tang whenever it comes out of hiding. Will this behavior ever stop on its own, or is it up to me to decide what happens next? The powder blue tang was added with a peaceful yellow tang 2 months ago.
powder blue tang vs melanurus wrasse
- Thread starter b_newman
- Start date
Reefing Newbie
New member
PBTs are known to be very territorial towards any new additions. There is really no telling whether your PBT will stop or not. Depending on its size it may be likely that it won't. They should have a larger tank ideally. Your tank also is borderline big enough for more than one tang to start with.
Hi b_newman, my personal experience tells me that the chasing will not abate even if you rearrange the rock work. Unfortunately, tangs are extremely aggressive once they become established. Also, stocking order is extremely important with tangs, I just finished stocking my 270 gallon (it took me over a year) with the final addition being the only tang in the tank, a powder blue. If you are planning on continuing to add fish, the yellow could possibly become a problem as well. I would figure out which fish you ultimately wanted to keep and then decide on a stocking order, you will be happier with the final product and both you and the fish will experience less stress.
falconut
New member
I have a Orange Striped Tang that chased my Melanurus Wrasse really bad in the beginning. It has dropped off to being an occational chase. Maybe you'll luck out and it will slow down or stop. I don't know what causes this, the two look nothing alike and I added a fish after the Wrasse, but the Tang could care less about that fish. Good Luck, just make sure the Wrasse doesn't get beat up too bad during this time.
Dr Colliebreath
New member
What is the pbt doing? Is it chasing and nipping at the wrasse's body or is it using its tail scalpel on the wrasse and biting pieces of the wrasse's fins off? In the former case, it may work out and in the latter case it is less likely to end well.
-update-
Before this afternoon, I'd see the wrasse pop out occasionally, for just a moment, then chased quickly back into the rockwork, but does not seem hurt. When I check the tank now, I can see it wedged between two rocks looking at me. It comes out every few minutes until its chased back, but I think it's learned that the tang can't fit through all the gaps. I think that any screams should turn to laughs shortly.
Before this afternoon, I'd see the wrasse pop out occasionally, for just a moment, then chased quickly back into the rockwork, but does not seem hurt. When I check the tank now, I can see it wedged between two rocks looking at me. It comes out every few minutes until its chased back, but I think it's learned that the tang can't fit through all the gaps. I think that any screams should turn to laughs shortly.
Last edited:
Mr.Mcgibblets
New member
PBT is a nasty fish. I added one a couple of months ago and he was a terror. Great looking fish, horrible personality.
Similar threads
