Sailfin tang bully

thedasher

thedasher

Member
Hey guys, I have a sailfin tang that I added to the tank as one of the first fish, which I know was a mistake and now he's like the boss of the tank. So I was wondering what I should do if he starts to bully the new fish I start to bring into the tank because he already bullied one of the three pj cardinals I added for the first day but now he leaves them alone. Will he bully every new fish I add for just the first day or is it a possibly that he will harass them till they die?
 
Sailfins are notorious bullies, and will be aggressive to all new additions, basically until death.

I made the same mistake, always regretted it
 
Yikes I never knew sailfin tangs were bullies. They look so peaceful at the LFS.

I would love to add a very small sailfin tang to a tank that already contains a very small yellow tang, a flame angelfish, and a small black clarkii clown. It sounds like this may be a bad idea given the temperament being discussed here, especially with a yellow tang in there as well?

-Jax Reef-
 
Jax Reef said:
Yikes I never knew sailfin tangs were bullies. They look so peaceful at the LFS.

I would love to add a very small sailfin tang to a tank that already contains a very small yellow tang, a flame angelfish, and a small black clarkii clown. It sounds like this may be a bad idea given the temperament being discussed here, especially with a yellow tang in there as well?

-Jax Reef-
Click to expand...
If it's the last fish you are adding to the tank then I would say it would do good. But it also depends on the size of your tank. Having 2 tangs I would say the smallest tank would be a 90 gallon also depending on how big the other tang is.
 
It would be the last fish and it would have to be a tiny, tiny sailfin. I have only a 37/40H tank with only a 'plan' to upgrade to a 65 at this point. So, I guess I won't do it and find some other small fish that will stay small and be nonaggressive instead. Yawn. Boring. Sigh.

The yellow tang has a body the size of a quarter (for now) and I realize that he will outgrow the tank and have to find another home, as have my previous ones. The flame angel is the smallest I could get my hands on, and the clarkii clown (for now) is about 1/2" when I get him in the tank soon.

I hate having only a 37/40H but it's all I have room for now and all I have had room for the past 15 years unfortunately. I can squeeze in a 65 if I set my mind to it and buy the equipment needed to jump from 37/40H to 65.

Note to self: Small apartment living and saltwater aquarium keeping are not very compatible. Buy large house ASAP to hold large aquariums. :lol2:

-Jax Reef-
 
JaxReef, I applaud you for being willing to rehome the tang!

Suggestions for your tank:
Chalk bass
Shrimpgoby/shrimp pair
Yellowtail damselfish (can be a bit nippy but not truly aggressive, add last and you have no issues due to small size)
Rooster waspfish (venomous but not deadly- use caution)
Rhino blenny
 
thedasher said:
If it's the last fish you are adding to the tank then I would say it would do good. But it also depends on the size of your tank. Having 2 tangs I would say the smallest tank would be a 90 gallon also depending on how big the other tang is.
Click to expand...

Sailfin will get way too big for a 90. Those guys need a 180 gallon plus
 
campos said:
Sailfin will get way too big for a 90. Those guys need a 180 gallon plus
Click to expand...
Yah of course they will get too big for the tank but if they are both as small as 1" then they would do go in that size tank for a certain period which could be a couple years.
 
It's possible to reduce aggression by adding more aggression to the equation; not always a popular choice but I've found it successful.
 
thedasher said:
What would you suggest on adding. Are foxfaces aggressive because I was wanting to add one of those.
Click to expand...

In the 'New To The Hobby' forum, there is a sticky called: PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

If you post your tank info and current and anticipated stock list (read some of the posts in there for info that is needed), snorvich (Steve) will reply with what will work and what won't and why...

It is a tremendously valuable resource...
 
With aggressive fish you need a good plan for the future as to what you want to add. It's not a good idea to buy on a whim with aggressive fish. A good plan will go a long ways...

A slightly larger foxface will not be aggressive, but I wouldn't think it would be bullied much.

How big is the sailfin?
 
Jeff210 said:
In the 'New To The Hobby' forum, there is a sticky called: PLEASE check out your intended fish purchases here first!

If you post your tank info and current and anticipated stock list (read some of the posts in there for info that is needed), snorvich (Steve) will reply with what will work and what won't and why...

It is a tremendously valuable resource...
Click to expand...
Thanks but I know what fish will work together but I'm trying to figure out what fish would be a little more aggressive than the tang to cool it down a bit and I know Steve doesn't give suggestions to which fish I should get.
 
DavidinGA said:
With aggressive fish you need a good plan for the future as to what you want to add. It's not a good idea to buy on a whim with aggressive fish. A good plan will go a long ways...

A slightly larger foxface will not be aggressive, but I wouldn't think it would be bullied much.

How big is the sailfin?
Click to expand...
The sailfin is only about 2.5" I might just put him in the sump when I add new fish but it's going to be hell trying to catch him
 
I run an aggressive tang tank myself and it's fine line to run on stocking everyone.

I've got about 20 fish in my 210gal and among those are these:

Powder blue
Clown tang
Desjardini
Blonde naso
Hippo
Kole
3 yellows
Dussumieri
Yellow foxface (5"+ otherwise he'd be picked on)

The powder blue is by far the most aggressive but the Desjardini (sailfin) is a tight second, followed by the clown tang.
 
DavidinGA said:
I run an aggressive tang tank myself and it's fine line to run on stocking everyone.

I've got about 20 fish in my 210gal and among those are these:

Powder blue
Clown tang
Desjardini
Blonde naso
Hippo
Kole
3 yellows
Dussumieri
Yellow foxface (5"+ otherwise he'd be picked on)

The powder blue is by far the most aggressive but the Desjardini (sailfin) is a tight second, followed by the clown tang.
Click to expand...
Do you have any smaller fish or schooling fish in the tank
 
Mine bullies everyone in the tank(trigger, puffer, eel, etc) the only one that doesn't get bothered is my flame angel who runs the tank. :wildone:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JeannineC
Fish suggestion
Replies
19
Views
2K
rwbroadnax
R
A
Stocking Recommendations for established 92 gal
Replies
8
Views
1K
Aquado
A
R
Tang attacking clowns
Replies
4
Views
1K
Uncle99
Uncle99
D
Coral beauty Sick - how do i treat
Replies
3
Views
1K
leebca
L
OrionN
Naso elegans, the Blonde Naso
Replies
1
Views
230
OrionN
OrionN
Back
Top