Fish to introduce to my tank

ts383 · 05-13-2006, 02:44 PM

I have a 55gal FOWLR that currently houses 1 yellow tang. (Originally, there were two clowns in there as well, but he didn't like them and I believe led to their untimely demise).

I have a couple of options, I guess...remove the tang, or add some fish that he won't bully (or that can convince him that his time is better spent elsewhere!)

Any suggestions?

Bruce · 05-13-2006, 03:54 PM

Well. Removing the tang isn't that bad of an idea but you dont need to if you like the fish. Although many people say yellow tangs can be held in smaller tanks...they would rather a larger one. Also these guys can be very aggressive (as you already see) Did you already start with some kind of damsel to get the tank cycling? You should do that to get the bacteria levels up. After that there are alot of beginner fish, maybe a Jeweled Blenny.

ts383 · 05-16-2006, 06:49 AM

I cycled the tank by curing the LR in it with a bit of the bacteria starting stuff (not sure that this really did anything though...)

First two fish were a pair of perc clowns, who did just fine.

Then came the Yellow Tang. All was well for about 8 weeks. Then the Tang decided he didn't like the Clowns anymore. He nipped at them and damaged the fins on both them so badly that they ended up not surviving.

The tank has been established for about 3 months (about 4 weeks of the LR curing/cycling, then fish additions).

I'd like to keep the tang, as I like him in spite of his aggressiveness, but I was hoping to find a few fish that might be aggressive enough that he would leave alone. I've looked at some blennys in the past, but didn't really do much in-depth on their care and feeding. There's plenty of rockwork to hide in, so will the be able to co-exist with the tang?

Jason McKenzie · 05-16-2006, 09:06 AM

I've always found my Blennys and Tang got along really well.

You could also try a Wrasse or some sort. But do your research on what kind you want as some have special dietary needs.

J

coral reefer · 05-16-2006, 01:14 PM

Before you introduce another fish into your tank, you may want to rearrange some of the live rock in your tank. What this does is basically makes the Tang alittle less comfortable of his surroundings.
Next do some research as to possible companions. Tangs overall get along with most other fish except for other Tangs of the same shape/species.
many Wrasses, Angelfish(dwarf), Gobi's, Blennies, and Butterfly fish are acceptable companions for a Yellow Tang.

Diver_1298 · 05-16-2006, 04:59 PM

On the blenny, My tang DID NOT like my Lawnmower blenny at all. He gets along fine with everything else but would chase the blenny every time he saw it.

This is a yellow mimic tang, the avatar.

Jim