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tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 10:35 am
by islandbass
My Yellow Tang keeps chasing my Blue Tang around the tank. It's a 75-gallon setup with plenty of live rock, but the aggression hasn't stopped. Anyone got tips to calm them down?
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 11:30 am
by brookside
I've had similar issues with my Powder Blue Tang. Adding more hiding spots helped, but it took a while for them to settle. How often are you feeding them?
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 1:00 pm
by kayaklover
Tangs are territorial, especially in smaller tanks. A 75-gallon is on the tight side for two tangs. Try rearranging the rocks to disrupt territories and increase feedings to twice a day with nori clips. Also, check your water params, high nitrates can stress them out.
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 1:11 pm
by soras
kayaklover wrote: ↑Thu Aug 28, 2025 1:00 pm
Tangs are territorial, especially in smaller tanks. A 75-gallon is on the tight side for two tangs. Try rearranging the rocks to disrupt territories and increase feedings to twice a day with nori clips. Also, check your water params, high nitrates can stress them out.
Yep, this is solid advice. I'd also add a mirror to the side of the tank temporarily. It distracts the aggressive one by making it think there's another tang.
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 2:08 pm
by fluentix
My Purple Tang was a bully until I added a bigger tankmate. Sometimes a bigger fish can cut the aggression. Just make sure it's not another tang, or you're gonna have a bigger problem.
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 3:10 pm
by daxton
Aggression in tangs is often about space. A 75-gallon is minimal for one tang, let alone two. Consider upgrading or rehoming one if the behavior doesn't improve.
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 3:18 pm
by florin1
I don't have tangs, but my clownfish were aggressive until I added more rockwork. Maybe try that?
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 4:09 pm
by islandbass
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try rearranging the rocks and upping the feedings first. If that doesn't work, I might look into a bigger tank.
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 4:56 pm
by brookside
islandbass wrote: ↑Thu Aug 28, 2025 4:09 pm
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try rearranging the rocks and upping the feedings first. If that doesn't work, I might look into a bigger tank.
Good plan. Let us know how it goes. Sometimes it just takes time for them to establish a pecking order.
Re: tips for reducing aggression in tangs
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2025 6:27 pm
by kayaklover
Also, make sure your water quality is spot on. Tangs are sensitive to poor conditions, which can make aggression worse. Test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate regularly.