Yellow tang fighting with Foxface

[ocikitty]

Just added a Foxface yesterday hoping he would do some damage on my algae but so far the yellow tang has continuously harrassed him. He strikes at him with his tail spurs. Occasionally the foxface will put his spines up but only in defense. Will they eventually get along? Can the tang kill the foxface with his spur and can the foxface kill the tang with his spines? What should I do?

 

[rkmayphd]

Although I am no expert, I have heard that this can happen when a foxface is introduced after a tang. The foxface is quite hardy, and from what I have read this behavior should cease within a day or two. Keep an eye out though.

 

[vanos]

My yellow tang used to do this to my niger trigger and I added the tang after the trigger. They are so territorial.

 

[nereef]

how big is the tank?

 

[ocikitty]

The tank is a 90 gallon. I caught the yellow tang and put him in the sump for a couple of days (fishy "time out") Hopefully he will forget about his territory when he goes back in. Foxface is doing well but is scratched up a little.

 

[jam1e]

hey kitty, while the yellow tang is in the sump, try making some drastic changes to your rock work, that way, the yellow tang will think it's a whole new set-up and think that he was introduced after the rabbitfish, also ... try adding garlic to the rabbitfish's diet so it will boost his immune system and help him not get ich ..but to answer your question .. yes ... both of them can kill each but I doubt they will ... -Jamie

 

[unleashed]

this is very normal behavior due to the fact a foxface is a relative of the tang. i house 5 tangs/surgeons with a magnificent foxface there is sometimes still a little aggression.these fish do not like to compete for food if you keep them well fed the aggression will subside.what i do every time i notice a bit of disturbance among them is toss in some pellets(i use thera +A by spectrum) at least 2 times a day then a frozen variety of algae based foods in the pm. but if you se them starting to fight toss in some pellets just enough to eat in about 2 min they forget about fighting(kinda like giving treats to kids)keep the tank water clean and you should not have any worries about infection setting in.for serious gashes dose the tank with melafix to help the healing process(it is reef safe)but may effect skimmer

 

[jam1e]

Unleashed is absolutly correct about the food ... the more food the happier the fish will be .. but don't add too much or your tank will get dirty really fast... also your fish might grow at an alarming rate or just get fat .haha ... good luck