two new yellow tangs

[lovehatejon]

so i recently put through an order for a couple of stuff which included two yellow tangs.
a day after ordering i was doing more research, getting ready for my new additions. and read that tangs pretty much cant get along with each other, and that the only hope is that you add them together. now although a little worried, i couldnt stop an order which was already on its way to me so i figured no point in beating myself up over it and pray for the best
so when i got the package today, sure enough they are a little fussy with each other.. they are both healthy and already having there way with the algae on my lr. they are both of equal size and where put in at the same time, but im worried me about the scuffles they are having.
what do you guys think i should do? do you think theres enough reason to believe they will just find their new territory and call it truce and just let them ride it out. or should i take action.

 

[meowzer]

So you now have 2 yellow tangs in a 72G??? What else?
you can either turn the lights out, or change the rockwork around a little

 

[hawkfish203]

I would try to turn the lights out not sure changing the rock would help just yet the tank is new to both the fish anyway.

 

[lovehatejon]

those two guys and a coral beauty.
do you think it would be necessary to move the rock work around? they're both new to the tank
ive had the lights off since acclimation a few hrs ago.

 

[hawkfish203]

I don't think it would do anything because they are both new you would move the rock due to change the territorial issues. They shouldn't have that yet because you just put them in. I would leave the lights out and keep them nice and fed. I personally don't think it's going to end up working but you never know.

 

[lovehatejon]

yeah i pretty much thought the same. just wanted to see if there was any other suggestions. thanks for the help though.
man, its a bummer though. i hope it works out though.
time will tell. and we'll see what we have to do from there. they havent been paying much mind to each other as they where 2 hrs ago.
ill keep my fingers crossed.

 

[hawkfish203]

Hey I hope it works out for ya. You never really know def heard of stranger things happening. Keep them well fed too that may help I know when there hungry they tend to get more aggressive.

 

[lovehatejon]

aha yeah i hear you. thanks a lot.

 

[btldreef]

It is more likely to work since they were added at the same time, BUT
Two yellow tangs in a 72G is two too many. Tangs are open water swimmers, smaller tanks just don't provide the swimming room that they need, especially long term. Now you go and add two in a small tank, and well, the odds are against you in having very aggressive fish. Yes, there is that 1/100 chance that it works, but again, odds aren't in your corner. My suggestion would be to get rid of one if possible (local reef club, craigslist, LFS, etc). If you absolutely can't not get rid of one, keep the lights off for a day or two, only turn lights on to feed or when you are around to monitor the behavior. Yes, they will still fight in the dark, but not as bad as they will in the light.

 

[lovehatejon]

yeah i definitely hear you.
if worst comes to worst ill see what i have to do.
but for now i think ill take that 1/100th chance for the time being.
I've had the lights out and they seem to be doing there own thing most of the time.
I'll be monitoring them, keep them as stress free as possible and take it from there.