Purple Tang Aggression

[dmweise]

I have read that Purple Tangs can be aggressive. I am curious about their level of aggressiveness and what it entails.

I would like to get a Purple Tang for my tank but would like to avoid any conflicts.

[kkiel02]

Here's my experince- I've had one for about half a year now with a sailfin, blue hippo and was with a yellow eye kole tang(lost it to velvet). He is best friends with the sailfin. Follows it around everywhere. They occasionally will spar but it is quickly over. The sailfin is slightly larger but again he won't leave the sailfins side. They were together in my 65 gallon but as they grew I have gotten the 180. Right now though they are in a qt with most my other fish. I would say if you plan on getting smaller less agressive tangs to by them first. Anyways good luck, hope it works out for you.

[dmweise]

Sweet, thank you. I will consider it. Most of my fish are smaller. Here is what I have:

• Bicolor Angel (1) (2 inches long)
• Flame Angel (1) (2 inches long)
• Lawnmower Blenny (1)
• Flame Hawkfish (1)
• Spotted Hawkfish (1)
• Pink Skunk Clown (2)
• Copperbanded Butterflyfish (1) (3.5 inches long)
• Blue Green Chromis (2) (tiny)
• Marine Betta (1) (4.5 inches long)
• Dilectus Pseudochromis (1) (4 inches)
• Yellow Eye Kole Tang (1) (4 inches)
• Orangetail Fiji Toby (1)

[Gseclipse02]

the only one i see that a purple tang will have issues with is the Yellow Eye Kole Tang but its a different body type so i don't think it will be to big of a deal


my purple is always nice to other tangs its my yellow who's mean

[Mr Cob]

I have a Yellow Tang, a Purple Tang and a Yellow Eye Kole tang in a 144. Right now the Yellow and Purple are the same size and the Kole is twice their size. The Kole is the boss for now and I have a happy community.

We'll see when the Yellow and Purple outgrow the Kole.

[snfkotara]

My purple tang only bullies new tank mates for a little while he has never actually scalped anyone, except one time he got really mad at me and came at my hand with his spike out. I was trying to net another fish and he got mad.

[carlinsa]

i watched a purple tang take out cleaner shrimp the other day. so they are odd fish. some i think are just evil fish or just hang out in the wrong schools. lol