After 36 years in this hobby, I find I still make the odd mistake.
Case in question. Most the many fish in my reef tank are small to medium size, sizes range from 1.1/2" to around 3.1/2" some of which will grow larger with time. The fish that seems to like to think itself as number one in the tank is my Midas blenny although my Regal Angel might challenge that not that there has ever been any confrontation between them. About 6 weeks ago I made a mistake purchase by buying a Purple tang. I have always liked Purple tangs and when I saw a nice one advertised for sale on another forum I agreed to buy it. Now when I saw it it was much bigger than I anticipated and bigger than described which is something of a first IME. Anyway, I still bought it and introduced it into my tank.
This, as it turned was a mistake not that the tang bothered any other fish nor anything challenged it far from it, it settled in well quickly but something was just not right. Firstly the tang was out of proportion with the rest of the inhabitants, secondly, it spent a lot of time bathing in the output of my Tunze pump, thirdly it just didn't fit in with the rest of my fish. What was particularly strange was that the Midas blenny which spent most of the time cruising around out in the open area of my reefscape became reclusive rarely venturing out from the rear of the reefsacpe and I hardly saw it apart from when the tank was fed. I repeat I never witnessed any aggression between the tang and the Midas nor any other fish. However, you could tell my other fish were in awe of the tang and always moved out if it's way.
After a few weeks, it became clear I had made a mistake buying the tang and that it would be best if I could find a new home for it. Luckily I found a guy with a. 8' tank who was looking for such a fish and after I had a few chats with him to make sure he was a suitable owner I sold it on to him. Once gone my tank almost instantly went back to being more harmonious, the Midas returned to normal and the tank is so much calmer and in proportion again. I am not proud of my mistake as I let my heart rule my head so I hope I have learnt my lesson once and for all.
Case in question. Most the many fish in my reef tank are small to medium size, sizes range from 1.1/2" to around 3.1/2" some of which will grow larger with time. The fish that seems to like to think itself as number one in the tank is my Midas blenny although my Regal Angel might challenge that not that there has ever been any confrontation between them. About 6 weeks ago I made a mistake purchase by buying a Purple tang. I have always liked Purple tangs and when I saw a nice one advertised for sale on another forum I agreed to buy it. Now when I saw it it was much bigger than I anticipated and bigger than described which is something of a first IME. Anyway, I still bought it and introduced it into my tank.
This, as it turned was a mistake not that the tang bothered any other fish nor anything challenged it far from it, it settled in well quickly but something was just not right. Firstly the tang was out of proportion with the rest of the inhabitants, secondly, it spent a lot of time bathing in the output of my Tunze pump, thirdly it just didn't fit in with the rest of my fish. What was particularly strange was that the Midas blenny which spent most of the time cruising around out in the open area of my reefscape became reclusive rarely venturing out from the rear of the reefsacpe and I hardly saw it apart from when the tank was fed. I repeat I never witnessed any aggression between the tang and the Midas nor any other fish. However, you could tell my other fish were in awe of the tang and always moved out if it's way.
After a few weeks, it became clear I had made a mistake buying the tang and that it would be best if I could find a new home for it. Luckily I found a guy with a. 8' tank who was looking for such a fish and after I had a few chats with him to make sure he was a suitable owner I sold it on to him. Once gone my tank almost instantly went back to being more harmonious, the Midas returned to normal and the tank is so much calmer and in proportion again. I am not proud of my mistake as I let my heart rule my head so I hope I have learnt my lesson once and for all.
