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I think my Niger and my Yellow Tang are dating

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by dead fish, Jul 8, 2012.

  1. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Saw this last night, so tonight I took the camera down to the reading chair to see if I could catch any of the antics. They like to hang out cheek to cheek and caress each other with their tail fins. I feel dirty. [​IMG]
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  2. Ray

    Ray

    243
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    That is awesome, so are the pics.
     
  3. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    +1 / 0 / -0
    Thanks, Ray. I'm glad I could catch it. Don't know if they'll keep it up.
     
  4. e lowther

    e lowther Inactive User

    181
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    Safety in numbers my friend.
     
  5. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Is it just me or does it look like in the 2nd picture the niger is smiling? Haha, thats awesome!
     
  6. rbp4135

    rbp4135 Inactive User

    131
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    I would say they are disputing territory/dominance. Your tang will often posture with his tail toward the trigger because thats where his weapons are.
     
  7. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    If they are, they're doing it awful sweetly.
     
  8. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    My maroon clown and my lion do the something I think the clown is hosting in the lions fins
     
  9. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    +1 / 0 / -0
    And wait, what are the yellow tang's weapons? this intrigues me.
     
  10. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    see those white spots near its tail? Those are hooked barbs. all tangs have them
     
  11. rbp4135

    rbp4135 Inactive User

    131
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    and they are sharp as all get out.
     
  12. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    All tangs have them that's why there called surgeon fish. and yes there very sharp my blue hippo tale whipped me once and ripped my arm wide open almost needed stiches
     
  13. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Well, it was a short-lived love affair. I came home tonight to find the tang snuggled up in a cave with the niger...dead. The tang had a fin chewed off. 
    I tested my nitrates. Around 40. So it's hard to know if the trigger killed him or the water did.
    My skimmer's pulling good stuff, I did a 15% water change the other day. Nitrates still where they were on Saturday.
    I'm extremely bummed. Not only am I losing fish, I'm losing a ton of money as well.
     
  14. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
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    That sucks.
    I would suggest slowing down and give your tank time to mature before adding more.  I would also suggest researching your fish a little better.
     
  15. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I'm sure I seem like a dumb axx. With the Niger the majority of what I read seemed positive about them. I've seen them in person in hugely stocked community tanks. Bottom line, I did research and it was at best inconclusive about the Niger.
     
  16. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I dont think that at all. And I agree I have seen Nigers in community tanks as well, just not small ones. And I think that was a leading factor in your issue.
     
  17. MJB Tanks Well-Known ReefKeeper

    309
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Don't feel like a dumb axx, you can read all you want about any species but every fish is an individual. Just gotta keep an eye on new tank mates...which you were doing, but sometimes things don't work out. I've certainly lost a few fish that were supposed to be perfect tank mates according to the charts but one of them ended up chewed or beat to death.

    Like mthomp suggested, if you doubt your tank stability at all def give it time and have patience. Stress causes strange behavior!

    Why can't they all just get along? lol
     
  18. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    I think tank size and territory disputes are the major cause of this particular issue. The fish may not have been too big yet, but they still need to have their own territory. I have both those fish housed in my tank, along with a number of other tangs. I see some disputes every so often, but with 250 gallons to move around in the fish can get away from each other.
    I know it sometimes sucks with all the cool fish out there, but I would suggest sticking with fish that have a recommended tank size a little closer to your 75. Or get a bigger tank LOL.
     
  19. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    +1 / 0 / -0
    Well, I'd happily go up to a 125. Anyone?
     
  20. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    I agree in that you should allow more time for your tank to settle in, before purchasing more fish. I'd recommend upgrading the size of tank if your really heart set on all these fish. I'd recommend a 180, but a 125 would do ya too.
     

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