Ways to minimize fish attacks when introducing new fish

highergroove · 01/29/2015, 03:21 PM

anyone have a way to prevent old fish from attacking new fish in a tank? I have a 300 gallon so it is big enough for them all , but yesterday I brought home a small coral beauty angel and my Kole Tang and 2 Australian Stripeys had it pinned and were attacking it!$##%^!! Is there a method to help? Maybe feeding when you add? Lights off? Add several fish at once?

Royce7586 · 01/29/2015, 03:25 PM

I've seen people use acrylic acclimation box's, that way everyone can check each other out for a while before full contact

thegrun · 01/29/2015, 03:27 PM

Rearranging the rocks will also help some, but depending on your set up, that can be a pain. Introducing the new fish at night is also a good idea.

3FordFamily · 01/29/2015, 03:28 PM

Another thing i recommend is to purchase fish in waves. I almost never add just one fish to any of my aquariums. 2-3 at a time always best. Tangs I NEVER introduce only one. Angels generally the same when possible. You can mix other new additions if similar enough in shape and size. (The idea is that the aggression is spread)

gone fishin · 01/29/2015, 03:31 PM

sometimes a mirror on the side of the tank provides a distraction. The aggressor spends time attacking their reflection.

3FordFamily · 01/29/2015, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

sometimes a mirror on the side of the tank provides a distraction. The aggressor spends time attacking their reflection.

I had luck with this only once, it was a very mean powder blue tang. He would attack himself for hours.

d-man · 01/29/2015, 06:54 PM

Acclimation box all the way

ca1ore · 01/29/2015, 09:31 PM

They're all good suggestions, and I have used them all, but the one thing that has worked for me over and over in getting a new fish to survive the initial hazing is QT. QT is not just as insurance against disease, it is also an opportunity to get a new fish acclimated, healthy and well fed .... with lots of reserves to hide for a week or tow, if that's what is necessary. I see people buying a fish, bringing it home stressed and weakened from the collection and transportation process, dumping it into a tank with an established (often aggressive) population of fish .... and then they're surprised that the newcomer dies. Well, duh ..... Buddy of mine does this and it makes me crazy. I've even offered to QT for him, but he's just in too much of a rush all the time ... sadly.

spoonman1979 · 01/30/2015, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

they're all good suggestions, and i have used them all, but the one thing that has worked for me over and over in getting a new fish to survive the initial hazing is qt. Qt is not just as insurance against disease, it is also an opportunity to get a new fish acclimated, healthy and well fed .... With lots of reserves to hide for a week or tow, if that's what is necessary. I see people buying a fish, bringing it home stressed and weakened from the collection and transportation process, dumping it into a tank with an established (often aggressive) population of fish .... And then they're surprised that the newcomer dies. Well, duh ..... Buddy of mine does this and it makes me crazy. I've even offered to qt for him, but he's just in too much of a rush all the time ... Sadly.

+1

Nina51 · 01/30/2015, 06:58 AM

+2

i qt and then use an acclimation box when it's time for the new fish to go into the dt.

highergroove · 01/30/2015, 01:16 PM

Thanks for all the great ideas!!! I am thinking maybe setting up a QT tank for a couple days right next to the tank so it looks like its in the tank might accomplish the same as QT + Acclimation box....and of course, as I suspected, more than 1 poor fish...

Nina51 · 01/30/2015, 01:33 PM

be aware that if you put a qt right next to your dt and the new fish has disease/parasite, there is a small chance of cross-contamination.

now, if you are simply looking for a way to acclimate a new fish after it has gone through proper qt, a breeder box would be less work than setting up a whole other tank.

cleverbs · 01/30/2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3FordFamily

I had luck with this only once, it was a very mean powder blue tang. He would attack himself for hours.

after that he got ich and died....lol just kidding, Iv never had much luck with PB I wish I did I want one so bad.

ca1ore · 01/30/2015, 02:16 PM

PB is one fish that needs to be quarantined and taught to eat the foods you will be using. Have one in QT right now and its doing very well (so far, at least).

wrott · 01/30/2015, 05:48 PM

Where can I find a good acclimation box please? Should I build one?

slief · 01/30/2015, 06:15 PM

Very often larger fish will attack new fish when they are put into the tank because the first perfection is intinctually food as they associate the fish being dropped in with out feeding. The next reason is territorial behaviour. Acclimation boxes can work but I've also found that they often don't work.

Put the new fish in the tank after the lights go out as that is typically when the other fish go into their night time hiding mode and at a time when they are least aggressive. The newly released fish will immediately head into the rocks without being spotted by the other fish. This will eliminate the immediate attacking of a new fish and give it a chance to steak out some territory without attracting the attention of the new fish. I've found this works quite well with a tank full of larger agressive fish.

As for acclimation boxes, look into the Acclimate by Reef Gently. I use one for acclimation as well as social acclimation. It's a great device that can be used for acclimation, transport and social acclimation.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Reef_Gent...MIATTK-vi.html

wrott · 01/30/2015, 09:27 PM

Thanks slief, I've looked at that acclimater online, and bought the small one a few years ago. But I'd like to find one that I can easily keep in the tank for a few days. Does anyone have a good source?

ca1ore · 01/30/2015, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrott

Where can I find a good acclimation box please? Should I build one?

I built mine out of some acrylic and eggcrate because I couldn't find on big enough. And it was cheaper to DiY. No good for small fish as they can swim right out.

Reeferside · 01/31/2015, 12:17 AM

I would say acclimation box, introduce at night. I've had success with doing it in waves but more so for freshwater. I'd also try to rescape the rocks if possible

01/29/2015, 03:21 PM	#1
highergroove Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 61	Ways to minimize fish attacks when introducing new fish anyone have a way to prevent old fish from attacking new fish in a tank? I have a 300 gallon so it is big enough for them all , but yesterday I brought home a small coral beauty angel and my Kole Tang and 2 Australian Stripeys had it pinned and were attacking it!$##%^!! Is there a method to help? Maybe feeding when you add? Lights off? Add several fish at once?

01/29/2015, 03:31 PM	#5
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	sometimes a mirror on the side of the tank provides a distraction. The aggressor spends time attacking their reflection. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

01/29/2015, 09:31 PM	#8
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	They're all good suggestions, and I have used them all, but the one thing that has worked for me over and over in getting a new fish to survive the initial hazing is QT. QT is not just as insurance against disease, it is also an opportunity to get a new fish acclimated, healthy and well fed .... with lots of reserves to hide for a week or tow, if that's what is necessary. I see people buying a fish, bringing it home stressed and weakened from the collection and transportation process, dumping it into a tank with an established (often aggressive) population of fish .... and then they're surprised that the newcomer dies. Well, duh ..... Buddy of mine does this and it makes me crazy. I've even offered to QT for him, but he's just in too much of a rush all the time ... sadly. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/30/2015, 06:58 AM	#10
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	+2 i qt and then use an acclimation box when it's time for the new fish to go into the dt. __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

01/30/2015, 01:33 PM	#12
Nina51 biggliest cofveve champ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: 5th floor, Illinois, gewgaw expert Posts: 3,506	be aware that if you put a qt right next to your dt and the new fish has disease/parasite, there is a small chance of cross-contamination. now, if you are simply looking for a way to acclimate a new fish after it has gone through proper qt, a breeder box would be less work than setting up a whole other tank. __________________ of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine into your brain, and that is where crappy ideas come from. Current Tank Info: i gave my reef away and i feel like a bird out of a cage!!

01/29/2015, 03:25 PM	#2
Royce7586 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 99	I've seen people use acrylic acclimation box's, that way everyone can check each other out for a while before full contact

01/29/2015, 03:27 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Rearranging the rocks will also help some, but depending on your set up, that can be a pain. Introducing the new fish at night is also a good idea.

01/29/2015, 03:28 PM	#4
3FordFamily Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fishers, Indiana (Indianapolis suburb) Posts: 488	Another thing i recommend is to purchase fish in waves. I almost never add just one fish to any of my aquariums. 2-3 at a time always best. Tangs I NEVER introduce only one. Angels generally the same when possible. You can mix other new additions if similar enough in shape and size. (The idea is that the aggression is spread)

01/29/2015, 06:54 PM	#7
d-man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, ca Posts: 2,732	Acclimation box all the way

01/30/2015, 01:16 PM	#11
highergroove Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 61	Thanks for all the great ideas!!! I am thinking maybe setting up a QT tank for a couple days right next to the tank so it looks like its in the tank might accomplish the same as QT + Acclimation box....and of course, as I suspected, more than 1 poor fish...

01/30/2015, 02:16 PM	#14
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	PB is one fish that needs to be quarantined and taught to eat the foods you will be using. Have one in QT right now and its doing very well (so far, at least). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/30/2015, 05:48 PM	#15
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Where can I find a good acclimation box please? Should I build one? __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

01/30/2015, 06:15 PM	#16
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Very often larger fish will attack new fish when they are put into the tank because the first perfection is intinctually food as they associate the fish being dropped in with out feeding. The next reason is territorial behaviour. Acclimation boxes can work but I've also found that they often don't work. Put the new fish in the tank after the lights go out as that is typically when the other fish go into their night time hiding mode and at a time when they are least aggressive. The newly released fish will immediately head into the rocks without being spotted by the other fish. This will eliminate the immediate attacking of a new fish and give it a chance to steak out some territory without attracting the attention of the new fish. I've found this works quite well with a tank full of larger agressive fish. As for acclimation boxes, look into the Acclimate by Reef Gently. I use one for acclimation as well as social acclimation. It's a great device that can be used for acclimation, transport and social acclimation. http://www.marinedepot.com/Reef_Gent...MIATTK-vi.html __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 Last edited by slief; 01/30/2015 at 06:20 PM.

01/30/2015, 09:27 PM	#17
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Thanks slief, I've looked at that acclimater online, and bought the small one a few years ago. But I'd like to find one that I can easily keep in the tank for a few days. Does anyone have a good source? __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

01/31/2015, 12:17 AM	#19
Reeferside Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 360	I would say acclimation box, introduce at night. I've had success with doing it in waves but more so for freshwater. I'd also try to rescape the rocks if possible