Tangs and Rabbitfish & the things they do

my2rotties · #1 01-02-2009, 10:40 PM

I have noticed this for over a year since I started out. While the tangs don't fight with the rabbitfish, I always notice when the RF put their spikes up, the tangs come and chew on them. I don't really see any fighting, but the tangs always grab the top spikes and tip the RF.

It happened with my purple tang and foxface for the year before the foxface sadly died. Now I have my big RF and my Naso comes and does the exact same thing. I never see tail swiping from the tang so I don't get overly concerned since it always happens. However, what does it mean? Is it bad? The RF is so mellow and gentle and I don't want her being picked on. I would give her to someone on Canreef if this was the case. I don't want this sweet fish being bullied or harassed in any sort of way.

Anyone have any insight on this activity?

Skimmerking · #2 01-02-2009, 10:52 PM

Tangs ang Rabbit fish will always fight. All my Rb that i have had to defend from the tangs due that the RB looks like the tangs and so the tangs being the dumb ones will always go wafter the RB

my2rotties · #3 01-02-2009, 11:03 PM

When I see the tangs being dummies to each other they chase and back into each other. I never see it with my rabbitfish. They just chew on the upper spikes and tip the fish a little bit. It always ends at that, and its over...

I was hoping it was just stupid, but if its fighting I should put my rabbitfish in a better home. She doesn't need to deal with that all the time. I would rather place the tangs in a home before the rabbitfish honestly, but the tangs are my hubby's prized fish. He would have 1000g full of them if he could.

Alberta-newb · #4 01-02-2009, 11:21 PM

Hmmm, that's interesting behavior. I've never seen any aggresion between my Scopas and rabbit except on the first day I introduced the rabbit. My Scopas would try to back into it like it was trying to say "hey this is my tank and if you don't behave I'll use my scalpels on you" (She does this to every new addition as she was the first one in the tank). I've never seen her spines extended and after a day or two she stops

I don't know a thing about fish behavior but I'm guessing it's a way to show dominance? In my opinion, if there is no real damage being done and the fish aren't getting stressed I wouldn't worry about it myself, just keep an eye on it that it doesn't escalate into a more serious problem.

fishoholic · #5 01-02-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta-newb

In my opinion, if there is no real damage being done and the fish aren't getting stressed I wouldn't worry about it myself, just keep an eye on it that it doesn't escalate into a more serious problem.

+1

As long as there is no damage being done and they aren't constantly chasing and attacking eachother I wouldn't worry about. If the rabbitfish is stressed out by the tang she will turn multi-colours and will hide a lot, if your RF isn't behaving that way you should be fine.

I've kept tangs and rabbitfish together and they never fought with eachother. I've never noticed them do what you're describing however, IMO, it almost sounds like the tang is trying to clean the rabbitfish.

fishytime · #6 01-03-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishoholic

it almost sounds like the tang is trying to clean the rabbitfish.

Right on the one spot it shouldnt be messing with. A customer at the shop recently showed me photos of his atlantic blue tang that lost a fight with a rabbit fish. Several punctures. Not a pretty sight.