Why is my Purple Tang chasing his reflection?

[BeanMachine]

Hello,

I have had my 3" Purple Tang for over two months now in a 120. Last weekend, I moved 1 1/2" ocellaris clown from my nano into this tank, as well as adding a 2 inch canary wrasse. The clown is really timid, even now. The wrasse just cruises around. For the first couple of days, the Purple Tang was being rather aggressive towards the clown... no damage to the clown or anything but the PT was definitely showing his spine, posturing and what not.

So now about a week later, the last two days the PT is going back and forth along the side of the tank chasing what I think is his reflection? Stops to eat when I feed the tank, but goes right back at it.

Anyone have experience with this? Is the tang just a bit bonkers because I added the two fish?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pickupman66]

its a tang, and they can get that way.. how does he act with the lights off?

 

[Beblebe]

Maybe your fish is insane. I had a fresh water fish that swam in circles on the glass all day for 5 years, until he killed himself. Hopefully that's not the case though.

 

[jonathansruelas]

i seem to have that problem with some of my fresh water cichlids, but the good note i have, none of them have died. they look pretty happpy, just swimmming, maybe trying to reach the bright lights of television :bounce2:

 

[BeanMachine]

its a tang, and they can get that way.. how does he act with the lights off?

Pretty timid, goes right into his cave.

What is wierd is it started behaving this way after adding the two fish. For two or three months before that when he was the lone fish, he just cruised the whole tank, picking away at the live rock.

 

[Pickupman66]

yea, he got used to being by himself and now has roomies. im guessing his fins are flared? might be the lighting in the room to boot.

 

[BeanMachine]

yea, he got used to being by himself and now has roomies. im guessing his fins are flared? might be the lighting in the room to boot.

yeah, flarred almost all the time.

just give it time then you think? I'd like to add a few more fish, mainly wrasses and gobies, no more tangs or large fish.

 

[mallorieGgator]

Try putting some black construction paper on the area where he attacks his reflection.

 

[BeanMachine]

Great idea, thanks! Maybe that will distract him so he forgets about his alter ego haha!

 

[Pickupman66]

Does he have a sister named FLO?

 

[dockery07]

Mine does the same thing at night when the lights are on and the room is dark.

 

[jdieck]

The purple tang is agresive specially toward the same species or other fish with a similar body shape.
Unfortunately I think you will not be able to stop the behaviour unless you prevent his image reflecting back by having light outside the aquarium.
Here is a video of one doing what yours do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XefswFdCZh4&feature=player_embedded