Acclimation box oddity

[saltyhog]

My diamond tail flasher (P. attenuatus) completed QT today and went in the acclimation box this morning. I didn't see anyone even act like he was there including my McCosker's flasher who has been with me for a year and a half. He was really the only one I was worried about. Watched closely all afternoon and no aggression at all. I know, I should have waited but everything looked so good and I didn't want to stress the rather shy diamond tail so I let him go.

The McCosker's was playing possum. He started after him and nipped at his caudal fin. The attenuatus held his ground but was getting intimidated. I decided to step in. I put my trap in and caught the McCosker's (without bait, LOL). He'll spend a few weeks in a QT tank to let the diamond tail settle in.

Has anyone else ever had this happen, ignore the newcomer in the accclimation box but go after him on release?

 

[Humblefish]

I've seen it happen many times.

 

[Marshall O]

Three things. First, keep new fish in the box a minimum of 24 hours, as much as a week if needed. Second, keep some small PVC fittings in the box for the new fish to hide in. Third, always release at night, just before lights out.

As far as your current situation, I would get your P. mccoskeri back into your tank ASAP. Otherwise, you will have the same situation with your P. attenuatus going after it. Use your acclimation box for the P. mccoskeri as described above. I have 12 Wrasses in my 125, and have had basically no issues acclimating new Wrasses to the tank using the above method.

 

[JMSKI333]

Can you guys post a link to the box you are talking about? I would like to try this to avoid some agression on new fish. What do you do with wrasses that bury in sand? Do you put sand in the box?

 

[Marshall O]

Can you guys post a link to the box you are talking about? I would like to try this to avoid some agression on new fish. What do you do with wrasses that bury in sand? Do you put sand in the box?

I use an Elite Aquatics Social Acclimation Box. With sand sleeping Wrasses, I put a small container with an inch of sand or so.

 

[saltyhog]

Three things. First, keep new fish in the box a minimum of 24 hours, as much as a week if needed. Second, keep some small PVC fittings in the box for the new fish to hide in. Third, always release at night, just before lights out.

As far as your current situation, I would get your P. mccoskeri back into your tank ASAP. Otherwise, you will have the same situation with your P. attenuatus going after it. Use your acclimation box for the P. mccoskeri as described above. I have 12 Wrasses in my 125, and have had basically no issues acclimating new Wrasses to the tank using the above method.

#1 Yep, I knew I should have left him in there longer than 12 hours but I was so worried about the attenuatus being stressed by the acclimation box and the mccoskeri had shown absolutely zero interest in him. Won't make that mistake again.

#2 Oh absolutely, I did have two PVC el's in the acclimation box.

#3 Done. Right now the attenuatus hasn't ventured near the box. Will make sure they have interacted before release. I've done the 'time out' thing with an aggressive vs timid fish before with great success (C. teminicki beating up a C. rubrimarginatus). I'll follow your recommendation though, you have much more experience than me.

 

[saltyhog]

Here's a link to the box Marshall is using, it's the primo one IMO.

Social Acclimation Box

This is what I use. It was a gift or I would have bought the Elite product. It has an inner box that has holes for circulation. This is what I use for acclimation. The outer box I only use to transport fish from LFS or friend's house with the inner box in place (hands free, no water transfer) or as a fish trap.

AccliMate by Reef Gently - Bulk Reef Supply

 

[Marshall O]

#1 Yep, I knew I should have left him in there longer than 12 hours but I was so worried about the attenuatus being stressed by the acclimation box and the mccoskeri had shown absolutely zero interest in him. Won't make that mistake again.

#2 Oh absolutely, I did have two PVC el's in the acclimation box.

#3 Done. Right now the attenuatus hasn't ventured near the box. Will make sure they have interacted before release. I've done the 'time out' thing with an aggressive vs timid fish before with great success (C. teminicki beating up a C. rubrimarginatus). I'll follow your recommendation though, you have much more experience than me.

Sounds like you are doing everything right, except you can't worry about keeping a fish in the acclimation box I know it can scare you, seeing how stressed a fish can get in it, but it is much better off in that box, then being picked on by another fish. I know the feeling of seeing a stressed out expensive fish, but they will be fine

 

[Marshall O]

Here's a link to the box Marshall is using, it's the primo one IMO.

Social Acclimation Box

This is what I use. It was a gift or I would have bought the Elite product. It has an inner box that has holes for circulation. This is what I use for acclimation. The outer box I only use to transport fish from LFS or friend's house with the inner box in place (hands free, no water transfer) or as a fish trap.

AccliMate by Reef Gently - Bulk Reef Supply

I actually have both Reef Gently I use to acclimate fish to match my tank parameters, to transport fish, or as a trap (has worked every time!). Obviously the EA Social Acclimation box is to acclimate fish before being released into the DT.