Yellow Tang vs. Copperband Butterfly

preef

preef

New member
I've had a Yellow Tang in my 72g for two years. It has always been a model citizen. Yesterday I added a Copperband Butterfly. The YT is not too happy about the new addition. He has been harassing him quite a bit. It's not non stop but it's enough. They are both about the same size.

Anybody have experience with this combination of fishes in the same tank? What are the chances that the YT will accept his new tankmate?
 
Honestly, given the size of your tank, I don't see it getting all that much better. In addition, Copperbands are difficult to get eating, and the added stress of the Yellow Tang attacking it isn't going to help that.
 
I have a Purple with yellow tail Tang in my 75g reef, I added a copperband 3 days ago and he didn't make it through the 2nd day! I don't know why but I was very upset, I asked my "Fish guy" and for some reason Tangs and Copper's just don't get along...??
 
I have a YT and a CBB. The YT was a butt at first, but he has calmed down alot in a week and a half. I taped a mirror to the side of the tank to distract the YT while the CBB settled in. He will be busy fighting the other YT that the CBB can get a breather. Also, yes my CBB is eating. I saw him eat before the store. If you are able, turn the lights off for 2-3 days and feed about every hour or so. Give the fish something else to do besides fight.
 
SWINGRRRR said:
I have a YT and a CBB. The YT was a butt at first, but he has calmed down alot in a week and a half. I taped a mirror to the side of the tank to distract the YT while the CBB settled in. He will be busy fighting the other YT that the CBB can get a breather. Also, yes my CBB is eating. I saw him eat before the store. If you are able, turn the lights off for 2-3 days and feed about every hour or so. Give the fish something else to do besides fight.
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I love the idea of using a mirror to distract the YT. I'm going to try that.

Mine is also eating. Ate at the store ate a little in the tank before the YT started harassing.

The YT was harassing worse when the lights were out so I'm going to try leaving them on.
 
I have a powder brown tang and when I first added my CBB it took a couple big chunks out of tail. Based on the fact that the CBB is already a delicate fish I didn't have a lot of hope, but I cut the lights and crossed my fingers and now they get along just fine.

I'm assuming that because the yellow and CBB are "similar looking" it may be causing more problems, but just hang in there. Cut the lights because it will relax everyone a little more and hope for the best.
 
I tried the mirror trick and it worked great for the first 3 or 4 hours. The YT is bothering the CBB again off and on. Overall it seems to be getting better. I did get the CBB to eat some brine again tonight.
 
I have a powder blue tang in my 211G and when I added my CBB he beat it up for about a day. I kept the lights off and fed the fish plenty. The next day he stopped and doesn't really bother the CBB anymore. I've had them both for more than a year now and the copperband is a lot bigger than he was.
 
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just got a CBB today in my 55g. have had my YT for 1 year and he has been acting aggressive towards CBB.. nipping at hip and chasing him around tank. what should I do? how did it work out for you?
 
with the tank size i dout that will happen but i might. if u see now aggresion towards one another then take on out i would chose one
 
It is hard to put another fish in after the yellow tang in a tank that small when the fish isn't completely different. Also, cbbs are difficult to acclimate and get eating, and it is hard to see yours adapting to aquarium life while constantly being harassed by a tang.

I would take the yellow tang out for at least 2-3 weeks, rearrange the rockwork, get the cbb eating properly and acclimated to your tank, and then try reintroducing the yellow tang. If you cannot do that, you should return the cbb as it sounds like the yellow tang is going to kill it or at least keep it from settling in and starting to eat.
 
Complete agreement with Toddrtrex and Dr CB. The Yellow Tang in my tank was only added after the Copperband had been in the display for over a year, was well settled in and thriving. Not just eating but eating well enough that he was plump and growing.

I also purposely chose a yellow tang that was fairly small in relation to the butterflies in the tank.

Jimroth - glad to her your PBT does okay with your CBB. I'd love to try a small Powder Blue but I've been afraid to upset the balance with the two butterflies in the tank.
 
I ended up getting rid of my yellow tang because it was constantly harrasing my cb. Both similar in size. I would agree that the CB needs to be established and the yellow must be smaller when introduced.
 
I just got my second CBB last week......doing very well and pigs out on mysis.....tried one before but it was hopeless and died on the third day. Here is the thing.....I have a yellow tang that has been in my 75 for two years. He harassed the first CBB and the second one too.....so I removed the yellow tang......I seen no signs of things getting better and a YT in my 75 is just not practical for the long term. It has been well documented that yellow, purple, and black tangs are not well suited with a CBB. I will not be putting another tang in my tank because I feel that it is just too small for them. Plus I love my new CBB and it seems to feel right at home!
 
Toddrtrex said:
Honestly, given the size of your tank, I don't see it getting all that much better. In addition, Copperbands are difficult to get eating, and the added stress of the Yellow Tang attacking it isn't going to help that.
Click to expand...

I agree completely.
YTs are very territorial, dislike most new fish, and need lots of swimming room. Cramped quarters increase the aggressiveness of territorial fish. CBBs are difficult fish and can't tolerate aggressive tankmates. The ''mirror" trick is a short-term plug at best. In all probability; an established YT in a tank this size isn't going to leave the CBB alone.Putting the YT in your QT for 10 days or so may take away his territory instincts; but (IMO & IME) these two fish just don't belong in the same 72 gal tank.
 
I had the same issue in my 136 gallon tank.Recenlty the YT chased a majestic angel for 02 days,found the angel on the floor the next day.
 
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