Help please!

MummysReefTank · 10/20/2020, 02:56 AM

Hi,

I've added 2 cardinals to my 450L tank, they have been in there since Saturday, and this AM I noticed that one was looking a little raged. Now I've watched fish A attacking (the now raggedy) fish B. What should I do? They are all that is in there atm, will this stop once pecking order is established or will Fish A kill B?

V

Monkeyfish · 10/20/2020, 07:24 AM

What type of cardinal? They usually get along if given sufficient space and it sounds like you have the space. Do you have a QT tank? You could remove the aggressor, letting the passive one have time to heal and get situated before re-introducing the other cardinal.

Michael Hoaster · 10/20/2020, 10:06 AM

Welcome to RC, MummysReefTank!

I agree with Monkeyfish. Separate the two. It may help to set it up so they can see each other, like with a tank divider or acclimation box.

It sounds like you may have two males, or two fish that are more mature than the typical juveniles sold. If they are kinda big, consider trading them in for smaller fish.

As a general statement, the older fish get, the meaner and less tolerant of tank mates they become. So it is always better to choose the smaller fish available, when buying.

The ragged fish will be susceptible to illness, so you may want to get it back to QT, so you can medicate/pamper it.

A few ideas. Good luck!

10/20/2020, 02:56 AM	#1
MummysReefTank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 2	Help please! Hi, I've added 2 cardinals to my 450L tank, they have been in there since Saturday, and this AM I noticed that one was looking a little raged. Now I've watched fish A attacking (the now raggedy) fish B. What should I do? They are all that is in there atm, will this stop once pecking order is established or will Fish A kill B? V

10/20/2020, 07:24 AM	#2
Monkeyfish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Long Island (NY) Posts: 4,077	What type of cardinal? They usually get along if given sufficient space and it sounds like you have the space. Do you have a QT tank? You could remove the aggressor, letting the passive one have time to heal and get situated before re-introducing the other cardinal. __________________ Eric "One thing that humbles me deeply is to see that human genius has its limits while human stupidity does not." Current Tank Info: Taking a break

10/20/2020, 10:06 AM	#3
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Welcome to RC, MummysReefTank! I agree with Monkeyfish. Separate the two. It may help to set it up so they can see each other, like with a tank divider or acclimation box. It sounds like you may have two males, or two fish that are more mature than the typical juveniles sold. If they are kinda big, consider trading them in for smaller fish. As a general statement, the older fish get, the meaner and less tolerant of tank mates they become. So it is always better to choose the smaller fish available, when buying. The ragged fish will be susceptible to illness, so you may want to get it back to QT, so you can medicate/pamper it. A few ideas. Good luck! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018