I have an Atlantic blue tang that is a juvenile. I put in a royal gramma who is hiding in a rock due to the tang bothering it. He doesn’t bite just bullies. Now the royal won’t come out of rock at all. Anything I can do?
Fish aggression
- Thread starter Greg17
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What size is the tank? What size is the Atlantic Blue Tang?
If it fit ok, you could catch the tang and keep it in an “introduction” box for awhile, until the gramma gets comfortable and the aggression hopefully subsides. I think most people would consider that too much trouble but I’ve done it before and it’s helped.
In another thread, I read a post where @ca1ore used an “idiot mirror” to ease aggression. I’ve never used that trick, but it seems a lot easier than the introduction box. I’m going to give this a try in the future.
If it fit ok, you could catch the tang and keep it in an “introduction” box for awhile, until the gramma gets comfortable and the aggression hopefully subsides. I think most people would consider that too much trouble but I’ve done it before and it’s helped.
In another thread, I read a post where @ca1ore used an “idiot mirror” to ease aggression. I’ve never used that trick, but it seems a lot easier than the introduction box. I’m going to give this a try in the future.
The tank is 110 DT. Currently have two clown and a fire fish. The tang initially bullied the firefish but she didn’t give a crap so now he’s left her alone. The tang is roughly 3”. About same size as the royal. I know in the past I’ve tried the mirror and it didn’t work.
ca1ore
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How long's it been ..... a day or two or weeks? There is ALWAYS some initial aggression, but as long as the newcomer is well conditioned (i.e. not emaciated), even a couple of weeks of hiding isn't that big of a deal. I'm going to assume it's only been a day or two, so give it some time. Broadcast feed so that even the hiding fish will get some food. Social acclimation box is a good tool, as is an appropriately sized mirror (i.e. not one from a woman's compact); but none are foolproof.
ca1ore
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Royal grammas are often wimpy. Can you put a piece of eggcrate to bisect the tank and keep the tang on one side?
Dr. Reef
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3 days is too early for them to determine territories. I would give is a little longer. Meanwhile if you can rearrange some rockwork it will help and keep lights off for few days.
Mirror trick sometimes work but it all depends on the fish.
Feed well and provide algae/nori to tang. Well fed fish usually dont fight over territories.
Just a few suggestions but for most they will have to pick territories and stick with them before aggression stops.
Mirror trick sometimes work but it all depends on the fish.
Feed well and provide algae/nori to tang. Well fed fish usually dont fight over territories.
Just a few suggestions but for most they will have to pick territories and stick with them before aggression stops.
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cracker
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real good idea !
ca1ore
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Just came back from a week of diving in the keys. Saw tons of juvenile Atlantic blues - too bad they don't stay yellow. Really nice fish.
Flexin
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I've use the mirror trick twice and it's worked. It's not full-proof but it does not hurt to try. I had one tang beating the heck out of my hawk fish, had it in the corner on the floor. Me adding the mirror instantly made a difference. Now I've also had a yellow flanked wrasse that oddly enough was aggressive in my tank. The mirror did not work with him and I had to remove the fish to find him another home (the new home has worked out).
Since that wrasse was so dominate and aggressive , I used one of those clear fish traps, square box with a trap door. I put food in there and placed it in the tank. Luckily for me it took less than two mins, the fish was in and I released the clear line to close the trap. Not saying you have to get one, but it worked out nicely for me.
Since that wrasse was so dominate and aggressive , I used one of those clear fish traps, square box with a trap door. I put food in there and placed it in the tank. Luckily for me it took less than two mins, the fish was in and I released the clear line to close the trap. Not saying you have to get one, but it worked out nicely for me.
Well I used the egg crate this morning. Great idea. I haven’t seen the royal in several days so hopefully she’s still alive. Haven’t seen her yet but at least the trouble maker is on the other side of the tank now. Thanks.
