How do you deal with bullying?

[vlangel]

Hey all, I have recently purchased new fish for my 36g. I have 4 fish who have been together probably 3-4 years and they aren't anxious for new roommates. I tried to choose fish that occupy different territories from the ones I had. Also I chose more than one to spread the harrassment around. The original fish are a clown, 2 lyretail anthias and a purple firefish. What I chose were a bluespot sleeper goby and a royal gramma. The royal grammar hid right away because they were chasing him. I didn't see him again until I found him in the sump. The sand sifter hides in a conch shell and also doesn't come out much but I don't see anyone bothering him. So what do you do?

 

[wuuzzzuuppp]

If possible, you can rearrange your aquascape forcing the old fish to find new territories giving the new fish a chance to find their own slice of the reef.

 

[vlangel]

If possible, you can rearrange your aquascape forcing the old fish to find new territories giving the new fish a chance to find their own slice of the reef.

You are right, I used to do that in my FOWLR tank. I have too many established corals to do that in my current aquarium. I think I will put the new royal gramma in a baby net and let everyone get acquainted but I need to put foam in the overflow to prevent another trip to the sump.

 

[GrizFyrFyter]

Mirror. I added a wrasse last night and my flame angel is a bully. He and the yellow tang have spent all day cleaning the glass for me while attacking themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zosz_FUAYrU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[vlangel]

Mirror. I added a wrasse last night and my flame angel is a bully. He and the yellow tang have spent all day cleaning the glass for me while attacking themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zosz_FUAYrU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Thanks, that is something I've never tried.☺

 

[GrizFyrFyter]

It's pretty funny. The yellow attacks the mirror like he's psycho but the blue tang rules the tank. She extends her fins but doesn't do anything else to the mirror. My algae blenny puts on his stripped suit and goes after it too.

 

[vlangel]

It's pretty funny. The yellow attacks the mirror like he's psycho but the blue tang rules the tank. She extends her fins but doesn't do anything else to the mirror. My algae blenny puts on his stripped suit and goes after it too.

Do you think the mirror will still work on a bowfront or should I place it on one of the flat sides?

 

[GrizFyrFyter]

I don't know but it's worth a try and if they don't respond, put it on the side.

 

[vlangel]

New but good problem. Probably a month ago I bought a yasha high fin goby. I thought when he disappeared that he was preyed upon by my beautiful but enormous red serpent star fish. I sold the serpent star and bought the sleeper goby and royal gramma. Guess who was down in the sump with the royal gramma? So, my plan was to put the royal gramma in a baby net to get the other fish use to it, then hang the mirror and release the gramma. Should I put both gramma and goby in baby net or just one at a time? My sump is kind of dangerous for fish as they could end up in the chamber with the pump.

 

[vlangel]

I will look in my fish supplies and see if I have an old filter to go on the pump intake.

 

[GrizFyrFyter]

Day after the mirror trick and everyone gets along fine.

 

[vlangel]

Thanks for the mirror idea. Everyone is released in the DT and seem to be getting along fine.☺