Will a yellow tang eventually figure out that his relection is only himself?

[hallzy]

My dad got a yellow tang for his 140 gallon last night. His tank has a mirror on the back wall. Since he put the fish in last night around 7, he has been not only following himself in the mirror, but also has been doing it on the other 3 sides of the tank, like he can see himself in the glass. He doesnt seem to be so aggressive towards it that he is harming himself, but he will swim up fast to it and kind of follow it around. He has came away form the glass from time to time, and even grazes on alge around the tank, but he goes back to the reflection alot. I know it hasnt even been in the tank for 24 hours yet, but my dad was concerned and was asking me about it, so I thought I would jump on here for him and see what you guys think. Is this normal behavior for a yellow tang when introducing it?

 

[btldreef]

Eventually it will probably figure it out. I never understood why tanks were made with mirrored backs!
I would suggest leaving the lights off for a day and allow the tang to adjust to the tank without the added stress of its reflection. Since it is not harming itself and is grazing, I would not be overly concerned, but if it stops eating or seems more stressed/aggressive in any way, you might have to do something more. What other fish are in the tank? Did he have issues with any of them checking out their reflection?

 

[hallzy]

No, he just got it up and running again really. He had something wipe out his stock awhile ago, and he didnt start restocking for awhile cause he was so mad that he had lost everything. But i got him interested again once he saw all of the coral and stuff I have been doing with my tank. The only other fish he has in there right now is a 6 line wrasse, and he has been in there for about 3 months and has been perfectly fine.

 

[btldreef]

At this point, I'd just leave the lights off for a day or two, and then just observe the behavior. I think it will be okay in the long run.
What other fish is he planning? Sixlines and yellow fangs can be aggressive towards newcomers.

 

[desertdawg]

I've had my yellow tang for 6 months, I just happen to clean a spot on the back wall and now he's doing the same thing. I don't think he's able to hurt himself on the glass but I'm still watching him...

 

[hallzy]

I'm not sure what else he is planning. I will let him know about the lights, and I will let you know whatever i find out from him! Thank you!

 

[hallzy]

Just thought id give an update on dads tang. I went to his house last night and the tang seemed to be doing a lot better. He was still going to the glass every once in awhile, but he did more swimming and alge grazing than he did following his own reflection. He also ate just fine when we fed them. So I think he will be fine!

 

[beth]

Put a background to the back of the tank.

 

[btldreef]

Put a background to the back of the tank.
I'm not sure this will help, the back of the tank is a mirror.
Might want to consider a foam- rock wall, but this would require rearranging the tank, so if he's behaving better, I wouldn't go to that extreme. Just keep an eye out for any signs of stress.