HELP: New Yellow Tang getting picked on!

ser-specv

ser-specv

Member
Hi, I just picked up a new yellow tang but he is getting picked on really bad by my existing Yellow Pygmy Angel!
I'm afraid the tang won't make it through the night if the angle keeps it up! Is this normal? Will it settle down after a couple of days? Is this just part of the initiation precess?
-46gal
- 2 clown
- 1 Yellow Pygmy Angel
- 3 damsels
- hermit crabs/turbo snails
Thanks in advance!
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
A 46 Gallon is barely big enough for the pygmy, definitely NOT big enough for a Yellow Tang. The angel is going to be aggressive now that anyone else is added to it's territory. Angels should always be added last whenever possible to avoid this issue. I don't think you're going to have luck, and even if you do, you shouldn't have a tang of any sort in a 46G tank, they need a tank that is twice the size of what you have.
 
ser-specv

ser-specv

Member
I thought the yellow tang was suppose to be the aggressive one.. but guess not. I got a small tang, is that still not gonna work in a 46gal? I might have to bring him back if the tang and the angel are still fighting tomorrow.
So you guys don't think hey can get along after a while?
 
nigerbang

nigerbang

Active Member
NO
One is going to kill the other.. Its almost a 100% promise..Do some research before you add fish.. Take it back in the morning..or not.. Its up to you, I didnt pay for it and wont have to deal with dead fish or ick either way.... Its your call..
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by ser-specv
http:///forum/post/3170713
I thought the yellow tang was suppose to be the aggressive one.. but guess not. I got a small tang, is that still not gonna work in a 46gal? I might have to bring him back if the tang and the angel are still fighting tomorrow.
So you guys don't think hey can get along after a while?
It doesn't even matter whether or not they eventually get along, your tank is far too small, almost half the size, for a Yellow Tang, or any tang for that matter.
If the tang is small, it'll probably die anyways, especially from the stress. Bring it back and please research your fish before you buy them, not trying to be mean, BUT, I don't think you know what you're getting into here. Dwarf angels are very aggressive and will pick on any new additions.
If you plan on adding any other fish to your tank with this angel in there, you're probably going to have to rearrange rock work so that all fish can establish territory or you'll have to QT your angel for a few days to give the new fish a chance. Most of the time you end up having to rearrange the rocks either way.
 
ser-specv

ser-specv

Member
Originally Posted by NigerBang
http:///forum/post/3170715
NO
One is going to kill the other.. Its almost a 100% promise..Do some research before you add fish.. Take it back in the morning..or not.. Its up to you, I didnt pay for it and wont have to deal with dead fish or ick either way.... Its your call..
yeah, I think i'll take it back tomorrow. I did do research... I knew that 2 angels was a no no but didn't know angel and tangs don't get along. I swear i have seen ppl on this board with tangs and angels in the same tank. I also knew that I should have a bigger tank for a tang but figured it might of been ok with a small tang.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator

Originally Posted by NigerBang
http:///forum/post/3170715
I didnt pay for it and wont have to deal with dead fish or ick either way.... Its your call..
You bring up a good point. It doesn't sound like you QT'd this fish. Tangs are prone to ich and should not be thrown right into your DT.
Here's some quick info on Yellow Tangs:
Yellow Tang
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Family: Acanthuridae
 
ser-specv

ser-specv

Member
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3170716
It doesn't even matter whether or not they eventually get along, your tank is far too small, almost half the size, for a Yellow Tang, or any tang for that matter.
If the tang is small, it'll probably die anyways, especially from the stress. Bring it back and please research your fish before you buy them, not trying to be mean, BUT, I don't think you know what you're getting into here. Dwarf angels are very aggressive and will pick on any new additions.
If you plan on adding any other fish to your tank with this angel in there, you're probably going to have to rearrange rock work so that all fish can establish territory or you'll have to QT your angel for a few days to give the new fish a chance. Most of the time you end up having to rearrange the rocks either way.
yeah, that angel fish CRAZY! you know what's funny? this site says the angel has a Temperament of Peaceful and the Tang has a Temperament of bold.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by ser-specv
http:///forum/post/3170720
yeah, I think i'll take it back tomorrow. I did do research... I knew that 2 angels was a no no but didn't know angel and tangs don't get along. I swear i have seen ppl on this board with tangs and angels in the same tank. I also knew that I should have a bigger tank for a tang but figured it might of been ok with a small tang.

What he is referring to with research is what I'm referring to: your tank is far too small. Angels and tangs can get along. I have a dwarf angel (Coral Beauty) and two tangs (Sailfin and Blonde Naso) and all three get along very well, but my tank is a 155. For future reference, tangs should not be put in anything smaller than a 75G and even that is REALLY pushing it. I personally do not believe they belong in anything smaller than a 90G.
Even with the smaller tang, there just is not enough swimming room for them in a 46. They either starve, become super aggressive, or their growth becomes stunted. Also, the smaller thank can really stress them out, and with a new fish, can result in an ich outbreak. It's just not a good idea. The fish will perish.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator

Originally Posted by ser-specv
http:///forum/post/3170722
yeah, that angel fish CRAZY! you know what's funny? this site says the angel has a Temperament of Peaceful and the Tang has a Temperament of bold. %%
Although I have love for this site, their fish write ups are not always the most accurate. ALL dwarfs are semi-aggressive - aggressive. My Coral Beauty beat the snots out of everything I added to the tank after her in my 40G. Once I placed her in the 155 and got a fish bigger than her she calmed down, but killed many $50 fish on me!
Yellow Tangs are semi-aggressive as well, but nowhere near what a dwarf is capable of. They're not "angels" LOL.
Also, if the tang is smaller or similar size to your angel, you have an even bigger issue on your hands. The fish look similar to each other at this size and the angelfish will surely kill it.
 
ser-specv

ser-specv

Member

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3170725
Although I have love for this site, their fish write ups are not always the most accurate. ALL dwarfs are semi-aggressive - aggressive. My Coral Beauty beat the snots out of everything I added to the tank after her in my 40G. Once I placed her in the 155 and got a fish bigger than her she calmed down, but killed many $50 fish on me!
Yellow Tangs are semi-aggressive as well, but nowhere near what a dwarf is capable of. They're not "angels" LOL.
Also, if the tang is smaller or similar size to your angel, you have an even bigger issue on your hands. The fish look similar to each other at this size and the angelfish will surely kill it.
Thanks! i'm gonna take the Tang back tomorrow. Any suggestion of what I could get instead? I doubt they'll give me a refund so I'll probably have to pick out something else.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by ser-specv
http:///forum/post/3170727
Thanks! i'm gonna take the Tang back tomorrow. Any suggestion of what I could get instead? I doubt they'll give me a refund so I'll probably have to pick out something else.
I would argue for them to give you a refund if they knew the size of your tank ahead of time. They're not being responsible aquarists if they allow you to put a tang in a 46G, even a small tang. At least get store credit out of them.
What are you looking for? Color, functionality, a cool swimmer, personality? Do you have a fish only or a reef tank? I'm on the east coast and it's almost 1am, I have to go to bed, but I'll post in the AM far before you get up, LOL.
 
ser-specv

ser-specv

Member
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3170730
I would argue for them to give you a refund if they knew the size of your tank ahead of time. They're not being responsible aquarists if they allow you to put a tang in a 46G, even a small tang. At least get store credit out of them.
What are you looking for? Color, functionality, a cool swimmer, personality? Do you have a fish only or a reef tank? I'm on the east coast and it's almost 1am, I have to go to bed, but I'll post in the AM far before you get up, LOL.
Thanks for your help! Good night!
i have a fish only tank. They'll probably give me store credit. color is important, maybe a red or blue one next. Not shy, likes to come up when I am close and of course get along with the angel. How about Butterflies or small Picasso Trigger?
 
reefjunkiee

reefjunkiee

Member

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3170721
You bring up a good point. It doesn't sound like you QT'd this fish. Tangs are prone to ich and should not be thrown right into your DT.
Here's some quick info on Yellow Tangs:
Yellow Tang
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Family: Acanthuridae
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Safe: Yes
Family: Acanthuridae
Native To: Hawaii, Indo-Pacific
Diet: Herbivore
Adult Size: Up to 8"
Temperature: 72 - 78°F
Water Parameters: sg 1.020-1.026; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Care Level: Easy
Tank Size: 55+ gallons
Scientific Name: Zebrasoma flavescens
Environment: Marine
as you can see there is no law on tank size, imo 75 gallons in the minimum for a yellow.
 
nigerbang

nigerbang

Active Member
Originally Posted by ser-specv
http:///forum/post/3170734
Thanks for your help! Good night!
i have a fish only tank. They'll probably give me store credit. color is important, maybe a red or blue one next. Not shy, likes to come up when I am close and of course get along with the angel. How about Butterflies or small Picasso Trigger?
Butterflies are out.. They for the most part need larger established tanks... PIcasso Triggers get bigger than alot of tangs and will snap one day and kill all other tankmates...
Look into so Firefish,gobies,blennies,etc
Tangs,Triggers,angels and things like that are out...
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator

Originally Posted by reefjunkiee
http:///forum/post/3170753
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Safe: Yes
Family: Acanthuridae
Native To: Hawaii, Indo-Pacific
Diet: Herbivore
Adult Size: Up to 8"
Temperature: 72 - 78°F
Water Parameters: sg 1.020-1.026; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Care Level: Easy
Tank Size: 55+ gallons
Scientific Name: Zebrasoma flavescens
Environment: Marine
as you can see there is no law on tank size, imo 75 gallons in the minimum for a yellow.
yes but it's a good reference guide to go by. If you read all my posts, I also said minimum tank size is 75G.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by ser-specv
http:///forum/post/3170734
Thanks for your help! Good night!
i have a fish only tank. They'll probably give me store credit. color is important, maybe a red or blue one next. Not shy, likes to come up when I am close and of course get along with the angel. How about Butterflies or small Picasso Trigger?
Your tank is also too small for Butterflies and/or Triggers. (I went through this disappointment a lot in the beginning and now I have a 155G and it's still to small for everything I want, lol)
Get a Midas Blenny. They have so much personality, it will quickly become your favorite fish. Search Midas Blenny on YouTube, there are a ton of videos. I'd also recommend a Flame Hawkfish, everyone on this forum that has one absolutely loves it. Cardinals, especially the PJ's and Banggai's would be nice, try to do more than one, they like to be kept in groups (3 is preferable). You could also look into a really nice Fairy Wrasse or one of the other prettier wrasses. They have some crazy colors. Some types of wrasses are jumpers, keep this in mind. Fire fish are nice as well, do not get one if you decide to get a midas blenny.
How about a goby/pistol shrimp pairing? (If you have sand)
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3170730
I would argue for them to give you a refund if they knew the size of your tank ahead of time. They're not being responsible aquarists if they allow you to put a tang in a 46G, even a small tang. At least get store credit out of them.........
While this may get some monetary relief for you I would caution you in the future to be the "responsible" aquarist. If you read up on Yellow tangs Zebrasoma flacescens you will note that they will take a big interest in any other yellow fish such as lemon peal dwarf angels. That said with the angelfish as the first one in the tank, it having set up its territory, then to have a new fish come in that may be "bothering" it, the angel will become the aggressor to the new fish while it protects its territory. Caution is to be the key here and knowledge that this may happen so that you can be prepared for it or make the decision that you don't want to risk it.
Please don't take this the wrong way, we have all made mistakes in this hobby. Just trying to get you to do as much research as possible so that you know as best you can what all the possibilities are before purchasing a critter.
Just my opinion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top