Tangs attacking new tank mate.

[Bretts05jeep]

Yesterday I added a longnose butterfly (about 2.5") and my chevron tang (4.5") and purple tang (3.5") have been chasing and attacking it non stop. I have fed the fish algae twice and heavily fed rods food once. They quit picking on him for a few minutes each time. I just put a mirror up to the glass before typing this but they don't seem interested in it yet. Is there anything else I can do to help give this fish a chance.

 

[Goss]

The only way for it to have chance is to not have so many tangs in one tank. Thye attack thier won and similar looking species.

 

[RayL]

Can you take the tangs out and put them in a different tank for a few days while the new guy gets comfortable

 

[DustyReefer]

Try putting the butterfly in an acclimation box for a couple days and see if the aggression subsides. If not than you may want to remove the fish.

 

[noy]

tangs will chase new tankmates around for a few days and then things (hopefully) will settle down. I have a tank with 5 tangs and its the same routine everytime I add a new fish.

The most important thing is whether your new fish is eating and whether there are any visible injuries.

I would feed more often (but less each time) to distract them more and monitor what happens. You set up a small tank and separate the tangs for a few days as a last resort.

 

[E Rosewater]

I have found rearranging rock work can help.

 

[Lostinthedark]

I used the mirror trick with my powder blue and it worked the first few times. After that he ignored it and chased the new addition s. when the mirror trick failed I tied a streamer made from aluminum foul to a power head. The PB hid as long as it was in there and it gave the new fish a chance to settle in.

 

[footballdude2k3]

How big is your tank?

 

[Bretts05jeep]

It looks like the mirror trick is working. It took about an hour but the tangs are no longer bothering the butterfly. The next question is how long do I leave the mirror up.

The butterfly has lost one spine but no other damage. The chevron tang looks like it is taking all the damage. He has a few visible scratches and a couple rips in his fins.

 

[Bretts05jeep]

How big is your tank?

150 gallon ( 6ft long) it has only a medium amount of rock with a lot of open swimming area.

 

[Bretts05jeep]

I have found rearranging rock work can help.

Cant move the rock. It has a lot or coral it would be way to difficult.

 

[Bretts05jeep]

Can you take the tangs out and put them in a different tank for a few days while the new guy gets comfortable

No way I could get the tangs out of the tank.

 

[humaguy]

rearranging the rock is the best route to take as it destroys their already established territories and forces them to set-up new ones...in the confusion of this they often don't realize there is a new addition...then keeping the lights for a few days keeps them mellow and really helps...keep the mirror up for a few days then remove and see if their behavior remains as is...because you say you can move any rock I would recommend an isolation box next time you add anything...good luck!

 

[ca1ore]

Purples can be real bullies. Last time I had a large one in my tank he made it hard to successfully add a new fish, particularly a smaller one.

 

[Bretts05jeep]

I moved the mirror after a couple hours because the chevron tang was going at it non stop. Cant believe it worked that fast. I haven't seen the chevron go after him again. The purple has chased him a couple times but not attacking him like before.

 

[tson]

What i did is build a acrylic box you can get one at the LFS and put the box inside the display tank. Put your new fish in the acrylic box for couple weeks until they get used to each other after release the new fish into the main tank and all of my old fish chased him a bit but not aggressive like the first time I put the new fish right away. And now they all get along. Hope it helps.

 

[RxMike]

Tang on Tang crime

Tang on Tang crime

I am having same issue with my vilmangi and unicorn
they are huge fish.
i just brought my Gem tang up into the main display. The two tangs are chasing the Gem. The gem is eating and i see no hint of injury yet. The gem is swimming everywhere. it seems like the other tangs gang up on him. it gets better at times. But then starts up again. Every time it gets nasty i feed lightly this distracts the fish for a good 30 minutes to an hour.

I agree with rearranging rock work to break up established terrority. The vilamangi stays in his cave and jolts out if any one comes to close to it.