Reset fishs sence of territory?

[thrawn150RT]

I have tang in my tank that has had the tank to its self for over 3 years and now attacks any thing i put in with him. The coral beauty i put in 2 weeks ago is finaly being excepted, I think. I heard if I rearange the rocks the tang will reset and allow new fish in, anyone had luck with that.

 

[jonathansruelas]

I ha something similar happen to me with my freshwater cichlids, I tOok out all the rock , then took the fish out in separate buckets, re arranged the rocks and then added the smaller less aggressive fish first then the bigger more aggressive after

 

[aleonn]

Rearranging the rock is the easiest way to reset their sense of territory. That would be a lot easier than catching your tang.

 

[thrawn150RT]

Thanks I will try that when i get my next fish since the anglefish looks like it is doing better.

 

[MrTuskfish]

IMO & IME, sometimes rearranging (or a time-out in a QT) can help with territorial aggression with SOME fish. Tangs, however, are probably going to consider the entire tank their territory. They don't just protect a chunk of rock. An established tang is going to usually assert himself with all new fish. Sometimes things will settle down once the invader learns his place, and sometimes a tang will simply not tolerate any new fish. Tank size and tang species really make a difference; what are they?

 

[snorvich]

IMO & IME, sometimes rearranging (or a time-out in a QT) can help with territorial aggression with SOME fish. Tangs, however, are probably going to consider the entire tank their territory. They don't just protect a chunk of rock. An established tang is going to usually assert himself with all new fish. Sometimes things will settle down once the invader learns his place, and sometimes a tang will simply not tolerate any new fish. Tank size and tang species really make a difference; what are they?

What he said. Also depends on how "established" a tang is whether a time out or rearrangement will work. Some species, e.g. Sohals will own the tank, others will be more tolerant.

 

[Wolverine]

IME, the rearranging works temporarily, but long term, the more aggressive fish are going to get more aggressive. I've also seen it get worse in some tanks. Suddenly you have all the fish trying to lay out new territories, and they go at it.

As noted above, types of tangs and tank size would help with a clearer answer to your question.

 

[Wolverine]

IME, the rearranging works temporarily, but long term, the more aggressive fish are going to get more aggressive. I've also seen it get worse in some tanks. Suddenly you have all the fish trying to lay out new territories, and they go at it.

As noted above, types of tangs and tank size would help with a clearer answer to your question.

 

[thrawn150RT]

This is a 90 gal reef ready with 85 lbs live rock and the tang is a regal tang.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I haven't kept a regal in years, but know they are one of the most peaceful tangs. IMO, your tank is way too small for a grown regal and this will almost certainly increase the aggression. 4 feet of swimming space just isn't enough for a big tang that really needs swimming space. LA suggests a 180 as minimum tank size; 180 gal tanks come in both 6' & 8' lengths. In my experience with large tangs, an 8' length makes a big difference. Not enough space = stress=aggression. I doubt that rearranging the LR will do much, I'd bet this tang considers the entire tank "his space".