Sailfin being a big jerk! (Solved on its own!)

First off, I know it was a mistake to add a sailfin tang (5") towards the biginning of the initial setup of the tank (90 gallon). He never showed any aggressiveness to other fish UNTIL I added a hippo tang (3.5"), 10/22. The sailfin wouldnt stop attacking the hippo. So I set up a "time out" tank (old 29) for the sailfin, he had been in there since 10/23. I fed both of the tangs well (especially the hippo), fattened him up. The hippo has been out in the open, eating very well and getting along with other fish (2 clowns and 2 chromis) ever since. Last night, right before lights out, I put the sailfin back to the 90. They seemed fine. BUT this morning, the sailfin wouldnt let the hippo out from hiding. As soon as he sees the hippo, chases him back into hiding. I really dont want to give up any of them. Is this just a phase? Are they eventually gonna be ok to each other?

Thanks in advance, any and every input would be appreciated.

 

Nope, not a phase. Change up the rock-work so all the fish have new territory and think its a new environment. But I think in the long run your going to have issues anyways because your tank is to small, no swim room.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I did change the rockwork majorly when the sailfin was being timed out. But I was kinda afraid somebody would say that..

 

hi the problem is hippos are more prone to stress and get ich very quick now, that being said, if you feed them really well, and the hippo is a little tougher than normal the sailfin will back off fairly quick, he's not really a keep on and on fish he will settle down soon and normally will not strike to kill like the yellow tang will. i hope he makes it there beautiful fish

 

Thanks!
Matter of fact, the hippo kinda started to hang around in the open now. The sailfin is swimming back and forth in the back, leaving the hippo alone for the most part at the moment.

 

yea he just don't want to share the food, if you keep him happy he will let the pretty blue fish live.

 

Yea, the hippo is getting a bit bold now. There is only one veggie clip in the tank, he picks at the nori and swims away quick. For now, I think they are gonna pull through.
Thanks for the input, appreciate it.
Ill keep updating how it goes.

 

Please do keep updating.

Having a 90 gal myself, it's a bit crowded with 2 tangs. I have a hippo and a yellow, and avoided the aggression by introduced them both at the same time, and both being about the same size. They've been fine since.

I would say let them be for a while, feeding generously (even two clips of nori on opposite side of the tank if need be) and observing. If they still dont get along after a week or two, you might have to start looking at getting a bigger tank! ;D

In all seriousness though, increased stress levels between these two fish will definetly spread to the other fish as well, the whole group could be at risk of getting the "grumpies".

 

Hey Sakul, thanks for coming over!
Yeah, I think two tangs will be overcrowded for sure. The part of the problem is I dont/didnt plan well ahead!!

Anyways, both tangs are minding their own business for now. The hippo thinks and acts like that he is part of chromis' school. I believe the sailfin wouldve stressed the crap out of the hippo if I hadnt timed him out. I will keep making sure that they both get fed well.

Thanks again for the help guys, I can start enjoying my tank now If anything, Ill let you know!

 

It's been a week or so, the tangs are still doing good, heck I can say they are getting along even better. The hippo is out in the open all the time, the sailfin is sharing the veggie clip with him. Next time when I go to the LFS, I will get another veggie clip so they dont have to share one.

If your old tang shows aggressiveness towards new fish, time out him for at least 2 weeks, reset the territory. And hope for the best.