Acclimation box

[Fishy McFishface]

Hello!
I’ve got a 65 gallon reef tank with two mocha storm clowns. Nothing else yet, but my young Biota yellow tang just cleared quarantine so I want to add him to the display. If I had to guess on aggressive behavior among the three, I’d bet on the female clown.

Anyway, I have a big acclimation box (12x6”) that drops in the display…would it make sense to put the new tang in the box or the established clown(s) since they are more likely to be jerks than the tang?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[blaxsun]

The clowns. I don't think the tang would be thrilled in it.

 

[Fishy McFishface]

The clowns. I don't think the tang would be thrilled in it.

Thanks, a bunch. That's my thinking too... also because they'd be more likely to be aggressive to the newbie.

 

[homer1475]

I don't think it's going to matter much either way. The tang will stay away from the clowns, and the clowns will find a spot to host and not move very far from it.

2 Totally different types of fish that an acclimation box is not needed for.

 

[ariellemermaid]

The clowns. I don't think the tang would be thrilled in it.

This brings up a question I’ve had. Many sources support adding new fish to acclimation boxes to allow them and everyone else time to adjust. And no fish are more at risk of fighting than tangs. Yet, tangs also need a lot of space and acclimation boxes only get so big. So what’s a reefer to do when adding a new tang to a tank with other tangs?

 

[i cant think]

This brings up a question I’ve had. Many sources support adding new fish to acclimation boxes to allow them and everyone else time to adjust. And no fish are more at risk of fighting than tangs. Yet, tangs also need a lot of space and acclimation boxes only get so big. So what’s a reefer to do when adding a new tang to a tank with other tangs?

If I was adding a fast swimming tang to another fast swimming tang (Say two Acanthurus tangs that are very similar to eachother) I would split the tank in half with something like egg crate and then wait for aggression to decrease between the two.

I’m not planning on doing this by the way, it was just a suggestion on what to do with a tang!

 

[ariellemermaid]

If I was adding a fast swimming tang to another fast swimming tang (Say two Acanthurus tangs that are very similar to eachother) I would split the tank in half with something like egg crate and then wait for aggression to decrease between the two.

I’m not planning on doing this by the way, it was just a suggestion on what to do with a tang!

Good idea; I haven’t done my aquascaping for my new tang-worthy tank yet but leaving a small gap in the rocks down the middle might be wise. Thanks! It’s not that I’m going to add two tangs you definitely shouldn’t, but it seems like all tangs can be aggressive to newcomers. Hell clownfish can be aggressive to newcomers and probably bullied my later added firefish to death. After 6 weeks of QT and treatment not to mention the expense of the fish, I want to give them the best shot as possible of getting along.

 

[i cant think]

Good idea; I haven’t done my aquascaping for my new tang-worthy tank yet but leaving a small gap in the rocks down the middle might be wise. Thanks! It’s not that I’m going to add two tangs you definitely shouldn’t, but it seems like all tangs can be aggressive to newcomers. Hell clownfish can be aggressive to newcomers and probably bullied my later added firefish to death. After 6 weeks of QT and treatment not to mention the expense of the fish, I want to give them the best shot as possible of getting along.

Honestly, if I was to do two tangs I would probably go for three if they were all from the same genus but if they’re two different genuses and different body shapes then I’d do 2

 

[Just a Wrasse.]

Clowns

 

[Fishy McFishface]

I don't think it's going to matter much either way. The tang will stay away from the clowns, and the clowns will find a spot to host and not move very far from it.

2 Totally different types of fish that an acclimation box is not needed for.

Gotcha. Thanks for the response, Homer. You're probably right...just trying to err on the side of caution.