Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish

DrHank · 06-12-2007, 07:24 AM

This past weekend I decided it was time to add another fish to the 110. I purchased a Blue Spotted Rabbitfish as I still have some HA in the tank and they have a reputation for being very good at cleaning this up. The fish looked fine at the LFS (they've had him about 3 weeks and he's eating well). Anyway the transport home was uneventful. I did a 1 hour drip acclimation and decided to move him into the display tank. He immediately went into defensive coloration and went to hide. In about 10 minutes he was out and swimming with the rest of the bunch.

I became concerned as I didn't like the way he was swimming (somewhat erratically with a general head up attitude. I left all alone for the remainder of the day. On Sunday I examined him more thoroughly and felt that he looked a bit on the thin side. Clipped some Nori and he went to town. By yesterday, his condition had improved greatly.

My only concern is that he and my Purple Tang appear to be competing for the title of who owns the tank. The tank will show him his tail and the rabbit will show the tang his spines. So far, no fight. I don't think that there will be but I may have goofed in adding the rabbit. I forgot that they were both close relatives, had similar feeding patterns, and were approximately the same size.

I was wondering if any of you have or have had rabbitfish/tang combinations and what your experiences have been. My wife is concerned that they may get into a fight and hurt one another. I think it's just typical behavior for that type of a pairing.

Dentoid · 06-12-2007, 08:34 AM

I have a Sailfin tang, A Foxface rabbit fish and Hippo tang in a 90 gallon. They all pal around and eat at the same nori post without any problems. The Foxface is bigger than the two tangs. Not for long though. My Foxface is a teddy bear. The Sailfin is snippy and the Hippo is devious and meddlesome and likes to tease the ohter fish.

BoomerD · 06-12-2007, 09:18 AM

I imagine it's just the tang trying to show his dominance in the tank to a newcomer...I doubt it will escalate from there. I LIKE the doliatus rabbitfishes...colorful, great algae eaters, (but ya gotta watch those spines...)

DrHank · 06-12-2007, 09:40 AM

I agree with you Boomer. I think that they are one of the prettiest. When I saw this corallinus, I couldn't pass it up.

BoomerD · 06-12-2007, 09:45 AM

Usually great tank inhabitants...non-aggressive, don't (usually) bother corals, although some people think they are if they're trying to get algae that may be growing on them, BUT, many get pretty big, so that can be a concern.

For more information on this wonderful (but venomous) species of fish:
You Silly Rabbit: The Genus Siganus by Henry C. Schultz III - Reefkeeping.com

Nervoustime · 06-12-2007, 10:46 AM

I have a Purple Tang, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, and a Foxface Rabbit. They get along extremely well. The Purple Tang was the last fish that I added. The Purple and Yellow Eye are always cruising the tank.

DrHank · 06-12-2007, 12:34 PM

Boomer thanks for the link. Things have toned down a bit today. I know that they get large fortunately he's going to end up in a 8' long 210 by the end of the month.

tbittner · 06-12-2007, 02:07 PM

I have a purple tang, hippo tang, and a foxface and they all eat from the clipped on seaweed, side by side. Purple was the last to be put in and he swam back and forth for days, very fast, and everytime he would go foxface, foxface would just raise his spines and purple would move away.

My foxface, when I first put him in, swam with his head up for days, almost like he was just "cruising". That was over a month ago and everyone is doing great. Foxface is even starting to get a bit fat. lol

Speaking of rabbitfish though, this morning I reached in to get the clip to pull it out and foxface was right there the whole time. I do NOT want to get stuck by his spines. Any advice on what others do if they need to reach in to place another coral or flip over a snail or anything like that?

DrHank · 06-12-2007, 02:59 PM

Personally I'd have a net in the water. Usually the sight of one will send everything in my tank behind the rocks.

kimoy · 06-12-2007, 04:06 PM

look at my sig for what fish i have

Jake · 06-12-2007, 09:05 PM

I only have one purple tang but he is beautiful, been in PO's tank for over 5 years. He is about 6-7" long and continuously swims back and forth. Great addition.

tbittner · 06-12-2007, 09:34 PM

Thanks Doc. I'll give that a try in the morning.

Snelly40 · 06-13-2007, 05:47 AM

my yellow tang beat up my foxface and trigger when i intoduced them, but then it subsided with no real injury. IMHO it is the tang just showing his dominnce like boomer said

kathywithbirds · 06-13-2007, 09:30 AM

So how're they getting along today, Doc?

The rabbitfishes are pretty, I plan on staying away -- brother's allergic to shellfish and my father was allergic to beestings... no telling what me or the munchkin might do if we got stuck.

DrHank · 06-13-2007, 10:29 AM

Too soon to tell. I won't see them till lunch but based on their behavior before lights out last night things are settilng down. I think your staying away is probably a good plan (especially with munchkin). You would also need to have a much larger tank. I wouldn't have gotten one if the 210 weren't looming in the near future.

06-12-2007, 07:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish This past weekend I decided it was time to add another fish to the 110. I purchased a Blue Spotted Rabbitfish as I still have some HA in the tank and they have a reputation for being very good at cleaning this up. The fish looked fine at the LFS (they've had him about 3 weeks and he's eating well). Anyway the transport home was uneventful. I did a 1 hour drip acclimation and decided to move him into the display tank. He immediately went into defensive coloration and went to hide. In about 10 minutes he was out and swimming with the rest of the bunch. I became concerned as I didn't like the way he was swimming (somewhat erratically with a general head up attitude. I left all alone for the remainder of the day. On Sunday I examined him more thoroughly and felt that he looked a bit on the thin side. Clipped some Nori and he went to town. By yesterday, his condition had improved greatly. My only concern is that he and my Purple Tang appear to be competing for the title of who owns the tank. The tank will show him his tail and the rabbit will show the tang his spines. So far, no fight. I don't think that there will be but I may have goofed in adding the rabbit. I forgot that they were both close relatives, had similar feeding patterns, and were approximately the same size. I was wondering if any of you have or have had rabbitfish/tang combinations and what your experiences have been. My wife is concerned that they may get into a fight and hurt one another. I think it's just typical behavior for that type of a pairing. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

06-12-2007, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,289 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish I have a Sailfin tang, A Foxface rabbit fish and Hippo tang in a 90 gallon. They all pal around and eat at the same nori post without any problems. The Foxface is bigger than the two tangs. Not for long though. My Foxface is a teddy bear. The Sailfin is snippy and the Hippo is devious and meddlesome and likes to tease the ohter fish. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

06-12-2007, 09:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish I imagine it's just the tang trying to show his dominance in the tank to a newcomer...I doubt it will escalate from there. I LIKE the doliatus rabbitfishes...colorful, great algae eaters, (but ya gotta watch those spines...) __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

06-12-2007, 09:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish I agree with you Boomer. I think that they are one of the prettiest. When I saw this corallinus, I couldn't pass it up. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

06-12-2007, 09:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish Usually great tank inhabitants...non-aggressive, don't (usually) bother corals, although some people think they are if they're trying to get algae that may be growing on them, BUT, many get pretty big, so that can be a concern. For more information on this wonderful (but venomous) species of fish: You Silly Rabbit: The Genus Siganus by Henry C. Schultz III - Reefkeeping.com __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com Last edited by BoomerD : 06-12-2007 at 09:47 AM. Reason: added a link

06-12-2007, 10:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nervoustime Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Irvine, California Posts: 513 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish I have a Purple Tang, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, and a Foxface Rabbit. They get along extremely well. The Purple Tang was the last fish that I added. The Purple and Yellow Eye are always cruising the tank.

06-12-2007, 12:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish Boomer thanks for the link. Things have toned down a bit today. I know that they get large fortunately he's going to end up in a 8' long 210 by the end of the month. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

06-12-2007, 02:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish I have a purple tang, hippo tang, and a foxface and they all eat from the clipped on seaweed, side by side. Purple was the last to be put in and he swam back and forth for days, very fast, and everytime he would go foxface, foxface would just raise his spines and purple would move away. My foxface, when I first put him in, swam with his head up for days, almost like he was just "cruising". That was over a month ago and everyone is doing great. Foxface is even starting to get a bit fat. lol Speaking of rabbitfish though, this morning I reached in to get the clip to pull it out and foxface was right there the whole time. I do NOT want to get stuck by his spines. Any advice on what others do if they need to reach in to place another coral or flip over a snail or anything like that?

06-12-2007, 02:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish Personally I'd have a net in the water. Usually the sight of one will send everything in my tank behind the rocks. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

06-12-2007, 04:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
kimoy Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 338 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish look at my sig for what fish i have __________________ 1.20 G pico RR with 2 megaflow kits, aqua c EV180 with mag12, 2x250 DE 12k halides with 2x54 T5 actinic+, 30G phlenum fuge with chaeto, iwaki 55rlt return pump connected to a sea swirl, 4 tunze 6025 inside the main tank for water circulation (2 are modded) 3 Koralias PH(2 #4's and 1 #3) sps,lps,zoas,softies,pink tip BTA tangs - yellow, unicorn, blue hippo, palini and RS Purple Blue Spot Jaw Fish red lyretail anthias pair of spotted mandarin goby wrasse - yellow corris scribble rabbit fish Clown Fish -3 percula high fin shrimp goby clean up crew - various snails and crabs, red linkia star And a 30G AGA softies with clown & diamond head goby

06-12-2007, 09:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jake Serpent Star Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 238 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish I only have one purple tang but he is beautiful, been in PO's tank for over 5 years. He is about 6-7" long and continuously swims back and forth. Great addition.

06-12-2007, 09:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish Thanks Doc. I'll give that a try in the morning.

06-13-2007, 05:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
Snelly40 Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,954 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish my yellow tang beat up my foxface and trigger when i intoduced them, but then it subsided with no real injury. IMHO it is the tang just showing his dominnce like boomer said __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

06-13-2007, 09:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
kathywithbirds Social Darwinism victim Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Hood, NJ Posts: 5,797 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish So how're they getting along today, Doc? The rabbitfishes are pretty, I plan on staying away -- brother's allergic to shellfish and my father was allergic to beestings... no telling what me or the munchkin might do if we got stuck. __________________ (\_/) (\__/) ( . .) (^.^) (")(") (> <) Bunny and Bunnina have worked things out. Bunny was mistaken after all, Bunnina was not having an affair. "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ~Lin Yutang

06-13-2007, 10:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Purple Tang & Blue Spotted Rabbitfish Too soon to tell. I won't see them till lunch but based on their behavior before lights out last night things are settilng down. I think your staying away is probably a good plan (especially with munchkin). You would also need to have a much larger tank. I wouldn't have gotten one if the 210 weren't looming in the near future. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

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