Yellow Tang and Copperband

[LCP136]

I have a 90 gallon reef, and I have always loved copperband butterflies. After researching, I am willing to take the reef safe risk of the copperband, especially given the benefit of the fact that it would clear up my aptasia issue. However, I have a yellow tang. From what I have read, people seem to think the tang would attack the copperband at first but eventually lay off. Any experience keeping to the two or thoughts?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Never had any experience with that combo, however it isn't a fact that it will eat aptasia, some do and some won't touch them.

 

[LCP136]

Well, that isn't the purpose of my interest, although it would be nice if a copperband did eat them.

 

[MrTuskfish]

YTs often have to establish their dominance over newcomers and CBs (IMO&IME) need a low-stress environment to thrive. I have a CB with 3 purple tangs, similar in attitude to Yellows; after some pecking order stuff, they've been fine. I think your odds are good. Watch the CB with any feather dusters or anemones.

 

[alton]

I have a copperband and chevron, copper band and purple with no real issues.

 

[swifty]

i have a cbb along with several tangs including a yellow powder blue powder brown sohol hippo and sailfin (i like tangs) not one has ever even looked at the cbb same cant be said for each other minor stuff however if you want the cbb to eat aptasia there is no guarentees they will do that mine doesnt want anything to do with it

 

[jimroth]

When I added my CBB my powder blue spent a full 24 hours beating it up. Back then I didn't know the mirror trick I use now. After a day he stopped, the CBB was nervous but fine, and has been for two years now.

 

[LCP136]

What is the mirror trick you're talking about?

 

[aquaph8]

I added a CB to an established yellow tang and it was not pretty. The Yellow tang would have surely kill him if I hadn't stepped in. I would recommend adding the Tang back in after the CB is established for best chances. CB's are hard enough to feed as it is, try to avoid as much stress to it as possible.

 

[jimroth]

What is the mirror trick you're talking about?

I have a Walmart hand mirror I hang outside the tank with a suction cup when I add new fish now. Drives the powder blue tang crazy, he spends all his time fighting with the "new tang" and ignores the real new fish. Fun at parties too. Usually 24-36 hours does the trick.

 

[LCP136]

Thanks, I'll try that. Once you take the mirror off does the tang still ignore the new fish?

 

[FiReBReTHa]

badump bump about the mirror trick.

Thanks, I'll try that. Once you take the mirror off does the tang still ignore the new fish?

 

[sTefaniA]

My yellow tang hated my copperband, I had to take it back to the lfs because it kept getting attacked. My other tangs including a purple and a desjardini didnt care about the copperband. I got rid of the yellow and got a new CB and it gets along with everyone.

 

[dzfish17]

I had this combo in my 210g with no problems. Not sure about a 90g though. My yellow tang was only 2-3" when I added the CB.

Dave

 

[SWINGRRRR]

I had a pair for a couple of weeks in a 135. Woke up 1 morning and the CB was cut to bits. Even as it floated around the tank 1/2 dead the YT was still attacking.

 

[Western_reefer]

My friend has a copperband and a yellow tang together. The yellow tangs attacked it in the beginning, but then they stopped. They are all happy and eating now.

 

[saleen2881]

i have a 90 gallon to and have a yellow tang and a copperband with no problem but i added them at the same time!

 

[Eric the half-bee]

Like many others, my YT tore into every CBB I've added. My other tangs were uninterested.

 

[cakemanPA]

My small achilles attacked my CBB for days. More just persistent chasing than trying to kill. My other tangs for the most part ignore the CBB. My Dejardini is a Dbag to everyone in the tank from time to time. Now this is in an 8 foot tank. I would think this would be a coin toss at best in a small tank.