How to catch a purple tang

[RonsterNYC]

Need help. I have a purple tang that is about 4 inches. I added a copperband butterfly that is similar in size about 2 months, but the purple tang keeps harassing it. So, would it be better for me to take the copperband out and replace it with a much smaller one that appears to be less competing? Would that work? I essentially would like to catch the purple tang and trade him for a yellow tang or something less aggressive. I have a 120g-reef tank, and I do not want to dismantle the tank to get the fish out. I have placed traps, but it seems that I may have a very smart fish. Can anyone provide any suggestions that I can try? Are there fish tranquilizers our there (just kidding)?

 

[DEEPWATER]

pic of the tank would help ,lol
CCB are not very hardy so chance are it will be killed by the tang.depends on how strong the little guy is ,
Is the CCB eatting ?

 

[RonsterNYC]

It eats sometimes, and other times it only picks up what ever lands on the rocks. It appears to be more active at night, but that could be because of the purple tang not being out.

 

[Deanos]

Can anyone provide any suggestions that I can try?

I suggest you catch the CBB. Either tang you have (purple or yellow) is likely to outcompete the CBB for food and harass it. This does not even take into account, the fact the CBB is tough to maintain on its own.

 

[RonsterNYC]

Do you think I should try a smaller CBB?

 

[Deanos]

Do you think I should try a smaller CBB?

Send a PM to Marrone. I'm not sure what difference a smaller CBB would make. As I understand things, CBBs as a species are difficult to maintain in the reef aquarium.

 

[ezee]

Yellow Tang

RonsterNYC,

Yellows can be really aggressive as well. A friend of mine has a yellow in his aggressive tank (triggers, lions, eel, etc) and it routinely starts trouble with various residents (not the lion).

E

 

[RonsterNYC]

Well, so far he has been alive for 2.5 months, and he looks very healthy. I'd hate to get rid of it and I hope that the aggression from the purple tang dies down with time. Thanks for the replies!!!

 

[Deanos]

2.5 months of aggression!?! That's unlikely to go away. You're fortunate the CBB is still alive. You're one of the lucky ones.

 

[RonsterNYC]

It has gotten much better...just wish the CBB could go into every cave in the tank without being chased out. It doesn't get nipped at or anything like that, just wish the tang wasn't as territorial as it is.