Fish Dilemma

[fernalfer]

Ok as of right now i have a Lemon Peel Mimic Tang and a Starry Blenny. My tang tortured the Blenny for about a week and has now calmed down alot. The Blenny doesn't seem to care one bit almost like he enjoys the chasing. I say this because he plants himself right back in front of the Tang almost asking for it.

Anyways right now i have 2 Occelaris Snowflake clowns, 2 Pajama Cardinalfish, and 1 Firefish in QT. They are all doing great eating and getting along.

Here come my dilemma: Because the Tang was the first in the tank he thinks he owns it all ( I know big mistake on my part) but i love the Tang great fish, very active , and lots of personality.

Should i:

1. Catch the Tang when the other fish in QT are ready to go in and put the new fish in the DT and the Tang in QT for about a month and re-introduce hoping its new to him and the pecking order goes down.

2. Catch the Tang and just give back to the LFS and stock appropiately from here on out according to aggression? (least of my choices loves the tang)

3.Just throw the new fish in with the Tang and Starry Bleeny and hope for the best?

 

[mmw64]

I vote for #1 .

 

[Maritimer]

Your tang probably doesn't need a whole month in QT to make the territory "not his" - a week or two, I should guess. That will also allow the clowns, cardinals and firefish time to settle in and gain some confidence. If the tang continues to display aggression when he's returned, try placing a mirror along one end of the tank. The tang will be much more interested in chasing "another tang" than he will in harassing a clown or cardinal.

FWIW, my kole tang harasses my starry blenny constantly, and will _always_ chase him if the tang becomes aware of the blenny's presence. (When food goes in the water, it takes the tang a few moments to realize the blenny is grabbing a bite or two right in front of her - but as soon as she's grabbed her own first bites, the chase is on!) Tangs - at least koles - seem to recognize that blennies are competitors for the available algae resource. Be aware that you may experience some future aggression toward the blenny ... just because it's a blenny. Oddly, the tang completely ignores my midas blenny - an openwater planktivore.

~Bruce

 

[4FordFamily]

What kind of tang and how big is the tank?

This will help us a lot

 

[fernalfer]

What kind of tang and how big is the tank?

This will help us a lot

Lemon Peel Mimic Tang and the tank is a 120 gallon......

 

[eatbreakfast]

I think you could just add the new fish. There isn't anything being added that should draw much attention from the tang. Also, multiple fish are being added and this spreads out any attention.

 

[fernalfer]

I think you could just add the new fish. There isn't anything being added that should draw much attention from the tang. Also, multiple fish are being added and this spreads out any attention.

I agree but I figured maybe taking out the Tang will at least let the new fish have time to settle in without being harassed

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree but I figured maybe taking out the Tang will at least let the new fish have time to settle in without being harassed

But if you add multiple fish the aggression is less likely and what aggression remains is likely to be spread out enough that you're fine.

Good luck!

 

[fernalfer]

But if you add multiple fish the aggression is less likely and what aggression remains is likely to be spread out enough that you're fine.

Good luck!

well thanks for everyone's input. Trust me i'd love to just leave the Tang in there and add the other fish once done with QT but feel like he roams the whole tank and will not give anyone a chance to establish its own territory. But on the other hand i may take him out and once put back in and still see no difference. its a crapshoot.

 

[Irishman]

If you decide to take it out you can re arrange rock work to make it seem like a new tank

 

[fernalfer]

If you decide to take it out you can re arrange rock work to make it seem like a new tank

yeah that is one thing i'm trying to avoid. love my Aquasquape and have planned every coral to how i want it to look when they grow out.

I also wonder if adding 5 fish at once will add to much to the bioload at once. They are all small fish. And i suppose if i throw them in and the Tang doesn't play nice then i could always buy a fish trap and catch him and take him out.

 

[Irishman]

if you add that much fish at once I would watch your ammonia levels and prepare to do a water change if you get too high.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The ng by itself will have a bioload about equal to the fish being added. I wouldn't worry.