Help!! Dead fish in quarantine tank

Sounds good I would save the most aggressive fish you have for last

 

So we don't do the suggested putting both tangs in at once to prevent even more aggression? The powder brown is not aggressive at all and is even quite shy, so I really want to make sure he doesn't get beat up by the purple. But with what you're saying, putting in the most aggressive fish (purple tang) last, he should be pushed to the bottom of the line and should calm down and prevent him from fighting the powder brown as bad?

 

In theory that should work but a social acclimation box wouldn't be a bad idea either

 

Just a word of caution, if the PBT and the PT are in the same QT, the PBT may appear more docile. PBT's CAN be aggressive so watch closely. If you had both in the 125 prior to QT, changing up the rockscape could be be helpful so as to not have them think all is the same when returning as it likely will not be the same. My PT is the boss of the tank that he's in however when I added 2 new tangs, he didn't do anything with the aggression. between the 2 new tangs...they tried to bully him but that got shot down right away. The 2 new tangs were in QT together and were best buddies Until they got in the 180g. Adding 2 is more difficult than adding 4 or more. Good luck and the social acclimation is great to have available. If you know "for sure" which is the most aggressive, I would add that one last and keep it in the acclimation box until the aggression seems to have stopped. Of course there is guarantee as they are tangs. Just be ready to act fast if needed.

 

omission...Of course there is " no" guarantee as they are tangs. Wishing you and the inhabitants success!

 

My powder blue is extremely aggressive. Bullies my three yellow tangs and blue hippo tang pretty frequently. Definitely wish I would have saved him for last. Oh well... live and learn.

 

Yes, tangs are difficult to add 1 or 2 at a time. They can be best buds in QT but when they get in a large(r) tank, all hell can break loose. There's a thread on R2R ranking the order of aggression for tangs. IMO, there's so many variables that it's really hard to say which tang is the most aggressive. All I know is the more you can add at once, the better because the aggression is usually spread around. The weakest one can be tortured by the others, then going down the line. Always be prepared because injury or death can happen quickly. I had a powder brown that "hated" powder blues. The brown won. Lots of rockwork for escape...lots of nori to eat and being prepared will help some. Best of luck.

 

So what you're saying is... I need more tangs?!

 

Hehe my yellow tangs were buds in QT and then hated one another once they moved into the 400g display. They get along together well now that there is a PBT which chases them around.

 

No. Just saying it's easier to add a 3+ tangs but the bioload needs to be able to handle it too, etc

 

As Bud said, it could be an injury. I can't remember the name but the fish can have an internal bump that is noticeable just from a tank transfer/stress and it will disappear. I've had that happen once . So you said you added another tang...that's confused me, sorry. Can you tell me/us how and what you added for the tangs? I'm assuming all were QT'd for ? how many weeks?

Try to keep the environment low-key (not a lot of foot traffic/ standing at the tank watching/subdued lighting) until they settle in. Feed nori so they can focus on that vs each other...it will also promote normal behaviors and nutritional needs :0) Tangs=ich often, especially with any change...be watchful:0)

 

Ok, thanks for the info Hopefully the bristletooth tang will work out adding him last. Looks like you have done your best so wishing them all well! Let us know how they are doing.

 

How did things turn out with the powder brown and square tail? The mark on him could just be a stress mark.

 

He is a beautiful fish BTW