Want to add tangs but I have an aggressive Yellow Tang

[juice79]

I have a 180g tank that currently houses a 4" Yellow Tang and a 2" Hippo Tang and various other smaller fish. Those two tangs get allong fine I assuming because of the hippo's small size. 2 weeks ago i added a 4" Blonde naso, there was some chasing at first for 2 days and then things seemd normal. Maybe a short chase here and there. Well last night i came home from work and he was breathing real heavy and had marks all over his body. This morning he was dead.

So my question is if i want to add a new blonde naso should i also get another type of tang, and introduce the 2 new fish together to spread the aggression. This way the yellow tang wont have just one target or will this not work. Unfortunately, the tank is a mixed reef so removing all the rock and coral to remove the yellow for a short period is jsut not an option.

Let me know your thoughts or experiences. Thanks!!!

 

[Reef264]

If you added 2 tangs, together in a pair, the yellow would more than likely bully both of them.I never tried keeping more than one tang in my tank, for fear of bullying, because my tank isn't that big.Possibly try adding Tangs that are a good bit bigger than the yellow, or change your Rockwork some, maybe create a new cave.

 

[edzup]

the one thing i did find when adding a new fish with my tangs was to change the landscape a bit particularly where the yellow tang you have now hangs out most.

 

[juice79]

the problem is the rockwork is full of coral and I really dont want to change it.

 

[dzfish17]

I wouldnt add another Naso to the tank but would look at something like a PBT instead. If the YT is that aggressive youll want something that can hold its own against it.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Your tank is too small for any naso tang. Get something like a powder blue or tennenti tang instead. They should be able to hold their own once they are used to the tank. Are you quarantining your fish? What do you mean by marks?

 

[albano]

do you use an 'acclimation box' when you add new fish? ...saves lives!

 

[juice79]

no QT and he had marks on his body from being barbed by the yellow tang.

how long do you leave a new fish in an "acclimation box"?

 

[albano]

no QT ...
how long do you leave a new fish in an "acclimation box"?

well I would suggest QT...
As for acclimation box, ave. 24-48 hours... I have introduced many fish (small wrasses, dwarf angels, new tangs) that should have had a problem with tankmates...but did not!

 

[dirk_brijs]

I hear putting mirrors in the tank helps as the first target of the yellow tang would become his own reflection in those?
Never tried but read it could help and if not what could it hurt. Place some small mirrors throughout the tank.

 

[Baboo11]

Another option is to use a fish trap to put the yellow tank in an acclimation box while the new guys get established. It's always fun to try to catch tangs.....

 

[NYCBOB]

I added two powder tangs recently to a tank with one yellow tang. You need to add Ganges bigger than your current tangs to have a chance. Also. Adding two at a time will dilute the yellOw tangs from attacking the single new fish.

 

[Retired Reefer]

The mirror works. I've used it on Yellow Tangs and it does stop them from fighting. Use a hand held mirror and tie so it hangs about mid tank on the outside. When the Tang comes out to attack he sees himself and goes back in the rock. When he seems to have gotten use to the new fish take it down. You can always put it back up if he starts up again.

 

[juice79]

I think I am going to try adding 2 tangs and the mirror and hopefully that will work. I know some feel 4 tangs in a 180 is too much...

 

[Daniel Reef]

Why not try the two mirrors first since that is the cheaper solution and if it solves the problem then you are set? The mirrors can't die by the two new tangs can.