Sailfin chasing clowns away from Anemone

[tinkerbelle]

In my 55 gallon tank I have a sailfin tang and a pair of percula clowns. Last month I got the clowns and the anemone. The sailfin has been in over a year. I had recently asked about the time it takes for clowns to host the anemone....... as I have been watching them they are still hanging out in the top half of the tank. The problem I think is the Sailfin. Every time they try to go near the Anemone the Sailfin swoops in and chases them away. Has anyone seen this before? He does not go that close himself but sure seems to be trying to protect it himself! He spends a lot of time in that area of the tank.
Could also use some help with a red algae problem that sems to be growing by the minute. All of ny tests are fine except the nitrates are up a bit after adding the livestock. I am running a protein skimmer and several small pumps for flow besides the filter. The tank has been up almost 2 years. Thanks! Tink

 

[tinkerbelle]

Sailfin Protecting my Anemone

Sailfin Protecting my Anemone

Here's my sailfin swooping in! Has anyne seen this? also no suggestions on the red alage?

 

[crsandoval]

The only thing that i could suggest is that you rearrange the rock where the nem is close to. This might disorient the tang to the point where the clowns can host in the nem and the tang establishes new territory.

 

[Sk8r]

I think the tang's territory is pretty well where the anemone has camped, and one or the other has to be persuaded OUT.

Try redirecting your flow. This often makes anemones move.

 

[stykthyn]

barbless brim hook, get that tang out of there. a sailfin has no business being in a 55 gallon tank. replace him with a flame angel or another fish that will do better in your tank.

 

[tinkerbelle]

Thanks I'll move some rock........ Goodness I love the tang! and what would I do with the poor thing. He seems to be doing fine to me in that tank. Why do I need to get rid of him?

 

[johno4]

You should get rid of him because he gets huge. Your tank is not big enough for a tang long term. I don't know what size the salfin is, but eventually you will have no choice but to get him a much larger home.

sorry if this is bad/new news to you.

 

[tinkerbelle]

That is bad news. How big do they get?

 

[crsandoval]

Well, they do get very large. 7-8 in. From what I had seen at the Long Beach Aquarium. If you do really plan on getting a larger tank then alright, but that would have to be in a year. I have a Powder Blue Tang in an 80 gallon for more than a year and I already am planning for a larger system.

 

[tinkerbelle]

Thanks! I think ill be ok for a little while he is only like 2" now.........who knows what size tank will be next!