New Fish frustrations

[mandown123]

Latest frustration centers on the amazing, unreal specimen of scopas tang I picked up yesterday from LFS. I never seen a scopas as nice, healthy and pretty as this and he is just a baby. He is 2.5 or 3 inches.
I only have a 30 G long so I'm thinking no way anyway, but after watching him for a half hour I decide to grab him, with intent to just grow him out a little and maybe pass him along to a bigger tank owner.

Bring him home, acclimates fine. Few hours later, my clown pair wont leave him alone. I never seen them go after a fish before, only if they get too close to the anemone, but this poor guy they are chasing halfway across the tank.

Shouldnt the tang be able to hold his own against the clowns? They arent even big clowns its kinda ridiculous. Anyone have any advice? I dont see how I can catch the clowns but what if I put them in the sump then a few days later bring them back in. They are the oldest fish over a year old at this point.

Its getting to be where I think my tank was only meant to house 3 fish lol. Something always happens. Last time I bought a yellow head goby and he jumped out of my egg crate covered tank a few days later. Yellow wrasse arrived DOA before that. 4 line chased the possum wrasse out of my tank before that. Jeez

Oh and before all you guys flip out that I put the BABY tang in the 30, he was in a 20 at a cruddy store tp remain nameless, and he is so special I have been looking at 50 G and up all day online.

Thanks for reading my rant lol.

 

[aznt1217]

Hmmm. What kind of clowns are they? False Percs?

A Tang SHOULD get along okay with clownfish so I see it as really weird if your clowns are attacking. That sump idea... shouldn't be that bad but I am not sure how that would really help. Fish have diff personalities so maybe your clowns are just grumpy? =X

 

[ScottK]

Clowns can be very aggressive and territorial, and in a small tank that's going to lead to trouble. It's not surprising that they are chasing the tang. I had a 2" maroon clown that used to take chunks out of my knuckles whenever I got too close to his anemone, and I'm way bigger than a tang. Plus figure that the tang is in a new and unfamiliar place.

A 30 gallon tank is way too small for even a small tang. Your only real option is to take the tang back. Even if you bought a new tank today, the tang will probably die before it's ready for fish.

 

[mandown123]

Right now I am watching the tank and the tang is swimming calmly in front and the clowns are not bothering too much. But this is ready for bed for them, lights go off in like 15 mins - so maybe just sleepy. he really looks peaceful and chilling now. maybe this issue will work itself out with a break in period?

The clowns have been grumpy since I put the anemone in. That set it off. Then it split and they defend both. hes not even near them though, its lame. They dont bother the wrasse for going near the anemone.

 

[mandown123]

oh theyre occ clowns, tank bred.

 

[mandown123]

i kno what youre saying scott. but right now he looks good, the 30 would be enough for him when the clowns are behaving. i may end up seeing if someone on MR wants to take him cause wow he is beautiful and going to the store will be hazardous to his health, its cruddy. someone deserves to own this spectacular specimin.

 

[hijinks]

my female false perc gets aggressive if I put my hand in the tank to clean.. I was doing a water change and vacuuming last night and she keep pecking on me.

Just like you it really started when she found the anemone and got even worse when i put in a mate in there.