Tang advise from those who have some good experience

[Caesra]

OK tang question for everyone.

I have had a Des Sailfin since very early on, basically my wife's first fish. Has turned into a gorgeous fish. He was a solo tang for quite awhile and during a tank change, he was moved and a powder blue was introduced. Powder was smaller and as mentioned, the salifin only had a short time to get settled in before blue was added.

During the inital week or so, they had their tifs as the sailfin, who was about 2x the size had his dominance spats. They finally settled out and all seemed ok, with the only the occasional posturing or chasing.

As time has passed the sailfin is becomming more towards adults, would estimate probably comming up on 2 years old now. His colors and spotting have all changed, so again reinforcing his change to maturity. During his changes he has become increasingly aggressive toward the blue. The blue is actually very relaxed and pretty much ignores the sailfin unless being harrassed. The blue doesn't appear stressed but I have caught the two of them tail fighting (blade still in skin..not out), but none-the-less causing more concern.

So what to do is the question...

Suggestion?

1) Rearrange rock..been considering this to open up tank a bit anyways.
2) Add an additional tang to create trio..was looking at a purple that would be roughly same size as sailfin...hopefully creating a bit of a more balanced intro.
3) Combo of both
4) Boot the sailfin out of tank for a few weeks, then reintoduce
5) Other ideas? Prefer to not have to choose between the two tangs.

 

[betamed]

what size tank?

 

[Caesra]

Sorry, 180 mixed reef. Sometimes the simplest thing slip my mind.

The tank is not overloaded..total volume on the system is 300g. Plenty of hiding places, even if I rearrange and remove some rock.

 

[29reef]

Total volume has nothing to do with the amount of swimming space. It only reflects how much fudge room you have for temp changes and such. Ultimatly I would permanently remove one of the fish. Both fish are generally on the aggressive side of the coin. I would keep the powder blue as it's smaller and less aggressive. The sailfin will get very large and most likely kill or severly harm any zebrasoma that you try and add. I'm not sure why you think it's normal for two tangs to fight. Anything that continues on past the first few days should lead to a decision of removal. Rearranging the rock will do little to nothing and removing a fish for a period of time will likely do little to nothing in the long run.

 

[AquamanSE]

My tangs love n hate each other. They are best friends & worst enemys. I would not agree with the getting rid of one. Now dont get me wrong if you have an option & it continues put them n time out. I only even suggest that if you dont use stimulants & a strong UV Sterilizer. Ofcourse others will totally disagree & think its horrible *but hey perhaps those people should pick up scuba!

 

[MrTuskfish]

There is always a "pecking order" with tangs. With the exception of Sohals, Clown Tangs, and maybe a few others; it usually sorts itself out. If they aren't doing real damage, I'd just let it go until they know their places. If two tangs threatening, but not hurting, each other bothers you; they aren't the fish for you. the threats and posturing usually go on for ever. No cuts, blood, or badly torn fins----no foul. The PB will almost certainly become the Alpha fish and these tangs are not the same genera----a good thing.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

The PB will almost certainly become the Alpha fish and these tangs are not the same genera----a good thing.

This is what I was thinking. Perhaps the sailfin is trying to assert dominance while it still has the edge.

 

[Caesra]

Thoughts on making it a trio? This was the direction I was leaning towards.

 

[29reef]

If your not going to add a purple tang then yes it's possible. The purple shares the same body shape as your sailfin and this is why it makes a poor choice.

Now that I reread my post I came off as rather harsh. I took your explanation of the two of them battling with their tails as possibly more aggressive than they are actually being.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Weird thing about many tangs IME; they don't do well when there are just two, but 3 or more (of the same genus) will often work. Not always, though. But you have a Zebrasoma (Sailfin) and an Acanthurus ( PBT). I'd guess that adding another member of either genus would be a problem. The Purple is a Zebrasoma. Its very common for LFS to have tanks with several yellow tangs, but never two.

 

[davocean]

I personally think the aggression most likely will get worse.
Sailfins get big, and usually get tickier over time w/ what will slowly become a crowded swim space.
I would begin to think about rehoming it, maybe replace it w/ a smaller species of tang.

 

[scuzy]

My sailfin was the nasty bad boy in my tank. I had to re-home him and now my purple tang and blonde naso swims out in the open a lot more. Before they were both on each corner.
I think the Sailfin was the most aggressive one of my tangs.

 

[sanchoy]

Tangs will always sword play. Regardless, someone has to be the jedi master.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Tangs will always sword play. Regardless, someone has to be the jedi master.

True. Why have such a nice weapon if you can't at least threaten with them?

 

[Caesra]

Thanks for all the replies. At the rate things are going it seems like it is a matter of time before I have to take the sailfin out, so I was looking for some way to keep him at bay, as I don't really want to get rid of him and I am not going to setup another tank large enough to house him. This is why I was hoping to find a solution where creating an odd number would help him chilax.

He really has turned out to be a gorgeous fish..I thought he was ugly when we got him...but now....I am impressed.

 

[davocean]

I had the same experience w/ a desi in my 180g.
It was a bummer to give him up, but I knew it was best for him, and he went into a 300g tank.
Now sadly that guy sold his tank and gave it to someone w/ a 75g, and that was not pretty.
They are just one of those fish that really need swim space, that is the only thing that "might" make him chill.

 

[JPhan1]

I agree that 3 tangs are better than two I had 4-5 inch scopas and wanted to add a 2.5 inch powder brown so I added the brown and a kole tang to take the distraction off just one tang and everyone gets along great.

 

[Big E]

I'd keep the sailfin tang since you're fond of him & get rid of the powder blue. Keep him as the only tang & show piece of the tank.

 

[Caesra]

Gotta love the irony.....the BPT is the one I wanted, the Des is what the wife wanted =P. Took me awhile to find a healthy PBT for a reasonable price.

 

[AfricaOffroad]

You throw out the Sailfin and there will be another war in your house !

There is always some sort of bikkering between tangs.
If you are not seeing torn fins and slash marks I would leave them be.
I agree, another tang will improve things - dispersed aggression.