tangs hurting other fish with their spikes

[ml708]

has anyone experienced this? where a tang uses the sharp spike on the tail fin to injure other fishes

[xiggie]

Yes

[ml708]

sounds dangerous. what made them do that though?

[Angel Keeper]

It's their way of offense and defense... Same for angels... But their 'thorns' are near their gills... Severe injuries may be inflicted during fish fights...

Angel Keeper

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/128217-Angel-Keeper's-5-Feet-Mixed-Reef-Tank

[ml708]

I see, fortunately I have never seen my angels do that.

What you said will put me off keeping tangs though

[Angel Keeper]

In my opinion, tangs are more aggressive than angels... But tangs are beautiful... My 2 Yellow Tangs and 1 Purple Tang got bored of each other after a week... They still chase each other but don't use their spikes anymore...

Angel Keeper

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/128217-Angel-Keeper's-5-Feet-Mixed-Reef-Tank

[xiggie]

I've kept 3 tangs together , yes they fight but the damage was not severe , 1 eventually died not due to the fights but because it chose the wrong opponent ....... A carpet anemone

[ml708]

I've kept 3 tangs together , yes they fight but the damage was not severe , 1 eventually died not due to the fights but because it chose the wrong opponent ....... A carpet anemone

do they fight more with their own kind or with all kinds of fishes?

[xiggie]

They fight when they are in territorial mode. Usually any fish that are same shape ,size and colour as they are.

But the fights are not as bad as it sounds, if all the fish are about the same size and in good health , they would most likely survive.

A tang added to an established tank with residents will not easily go territorial and attack.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I guess that's about right.

[Edmund Koh]

But a tang added to an established tank with resident tangs will most likely get attacked until it found its own hiding place.

[xiggie]

I've done that , and to best do that is to purchase a bigger size tang than the resident one. It has a better chance against attacks and better chance of getting more food , it doesn't have to hide

[ml708]

anyone got hurt by a tang?