Will they help aggression?

[Pittsford_Pets]

Hey everyone!

This post is about something I've seen a few times. I've heard people say to put a picture of a yellow tang in front of their display and their own fish will be less aggressive. Same with clownfish, and also putting a pic of a clown/anemone symbiotic relationship up to try and coach them into it.

What're your thoughts? - I don't have aggression issues, just asking everyone if they've heard of this -

PS: I saw on a recent post about a Purple Tang that mirrors can help too.

 

[Maritimer]

I've never tried the photo thing, but the mirror trick definitely helps. One of my favorite go-tos when I'm adding new fish. I'll put an inexpensive full-length mirror at one end of the display, and most of my more territorial fish will focus their attention on the same-species "interloper" threatening their territory, and back off of their attacks on the new fish (generally of a different species / family) that I've just dropped in. A couple of days is generally all it takes to give the new guy a chance to find his way around, and for the older resident to accept this new face as part of his neighborhood.

Another tool that can serve you well is a "social acclimation box" - simply a clear box that allows new and old fish to see one another, but not attack, and allows you to gauge what the resident's reactions are going to be when you do get around to releasing the newcomer. It can be as simple as a "Kritter Keeper" placed within the tank.

Not sure either of these tools will help with aggression that develops over time, between two long-term residents of the tank.

~Bruce

 

[Steve1500]

I've never tried the photo thing, but the mirror trick definitely helps. One of my favorite go-tos when I'm adding new fish. I'll put an inexpensive full-length mirror at one end of the display, and most of my more territorial fish will focus their attention on the same-species "interloper" threatening their territory, and back off of their attacks on the new fish (generally of a different species / family) that I've just dropped in. A couple of days is generally all it takes to give the new guy a chance to find his way around, and for the older resident to accept this new face as part of his neighborhood.

Another tool that can serve you well is a "social acclimation box" - simply a clear box that allows new and old fish to see one another, but not attack, and allows you to gauge what the resident's reactions are going to be when you do get around to releasing the newcomer. It can be as simple as a "Kritter Keeper" placed within the tank.

Not sure either of these tools will help with aggression that develops over time, between two long-term residents of the tank.

~Bruce

Two questions: I will be adding a yellow tang and black cap basselet to a tank w 2 clowns a cardinal and plenty of LR. As a precaution, should I put the tang in an acclimation box or the clowns in the acclimation box? In about a month, I will add a flame angel and a sapphire damsel. Similar question, which fish, if any, should I put in the box?

Thanks!
Steve

 

[Flippers4pups]

Two questions: I will be adding a yellow tang and black cap basselet to a tank w 2 clowns a cardinal and plenty of LR. As a precaution, should I put the tang in an acclimation box or the clowns in the acclimation box? In about a month, I will add a flame angel and a sapphire damsel. Similar question, which fish, if any, should I put in the box?

Thanks!

Two questions: I will be adding a yellow tang and black cap basselet to a tank w 2 clowns a cardinal and plenty of LR. As a precaution, should I put the tang in an acclimation box or the clowns in the acclimation box? In about a month, I will add a flame angel and a sapphire damsel. Similar question, which fish, if any, should I put in the box?

Thanks!
Steve

Steve

I would add the Tang last. Once a Tang gets established they can become territorial towards newly introduced fish.

 

[Maritimer]

Generally, put the new fish into the box. (They're easier to catch...)

As a general rule, resident fish will be more aggressive to fish that are similar to themselves. An established pair of clowns, for instance, will almost certainly attack a new clown - but may ignore a new basslet or tang.

~Bruce