Introducing new fish - hang on tank

[danelam]

Pleased to report that ammonia and nitrite have been reading big 0s for a week now, so I'm thinking of starting to get some more fish.

I've read in a few books about how you can hang a specimen container in the tank to help the original inhabitants get used to the new guy.

As some of you know already, my second hand tank came with a maroon clown who'd been in there for about 18 months by himself (or herself maybe, as she's at least 3 times the size, or even bigger, than the maroons in the LFS.) I can already see it has territorial tendencies with the way it acts when there's a thermometer hanging in the tank.

So I was thinking of introducing the new fish in a hang on container (after quarantine of course.)

Any tips?

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, she's already going after the thermometer???? :shock: Those damned maroons.

I've never done this, but I have taken the steps of removing the aggressive fish for up to three weeks, then reintroducing into their "new" tank. The problem is that the more intelligent the fish is, the more difficult (to impossible) the introductions. Since your tank isn't very large you can't really add those animals that can really stand up to her attentions.

What's more important is what species of fish you try to add. I think you're going to be very limited in that regard, unless you add baby (all male) maroons that the alpha female of yours will more likely accept. I'm sure others will weigh in on this, too.

 

[danelam]

someone in another forum suggested getting rid of the maroon clown. would this be a better idea? It's sad, cos I kinda like her. But if it really limits my options perhaps this is an idea. Do LFSs buy them?

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, most of them will give you store credit. Expect no more than about a third of what they'd sell the fish for.

You sure you want to do that? If you've got a QT then you could try what I've suggested. The species I would work with as far as tank-mates would be a more aggressive species of Centropyge, then smaller gobies or blennies that the maroon won't see as territorial/feeding threats. Basically, go for something that can hold up to attentions, will remain small, then others that prefer hiding in rockwork over swimming out in the open. NO damsels at this point, in my opinion, are suitable.

This is something I've had a lot of experience with when establishing African cichlid tanks, another intelligent group of fishes.

 

[danelam]

butterflies? or a small blue hipppo tang? She won't eat inverts will she? I guess I can try the QT and see if it works. It's difficult planning a tank community when I have something like a maroon clown to start off with!

Thanks for all you help seamaiden! :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I would not do butterflies or tangs, that tank (if I recollect it's a 65g) is just too small. Plus, they're open water swimmers, perfect for being driven up through the top of the tank.

The maroon should not eat most inverts, but some (like coral banded shrimp) might just piss her off enough. Does she attack you at this point?

I'm thinking fishes more like neon gobies, and like I mentioned before Centropyges such as lemonpeel, flame angel. or maybe the Caribbean. At this point, I'm going to suggest you spend some time using wetwebmedia's Google bar. Check the radio button to search WWM only, there is EXTENSIVE information there.

And you're very welcome.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, dottybacks (Pseudochromiids) and maybe an Assessor species could work in this situation. What you want to avoid is adding any fish that you know will outgrow the tank first, and then those that will either handle themselves with the maroon, or that will be generally ignored by her. (I am calling her "her" because I'm fairly certain that she's morphed into a female by now.)

 

[extremepb319]

What about some firefish?? I have a maroon in my tank with firefish and they all get a long. And my sailfin tang gets along with it too. thats just my experience though...

 

[Anonymous]

Firefish would be alright I think. And, they're a goby (I think).

 

[extremepb319]

Yeah im pretty sure theyre a goby also

 

[mr_X]

i have a marron clown, but thankfully, he/she is not aggressive.

i have had aggressive fish though- damsels, tangs, things like that, and even though i liked them, i feel alot better off that they are gone.
in the event that you have fish picking on each other, the tank gets to being upsetting to watch. even at 65 gallons, i'm sure you spent good money setting this tank up and will most likely spend alot more to keep it satisfying. i would seriously consider removing any overly aggressive fish, instead of putting in some "tough" tank mates.
believe me, i had a clown tang that was wreaking havok in my tank. until i removed him, i didn't even want to sit infront of my tank. it was terrible.

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like it was sushi. :?

DON'T mess with pissed off tangs, man, just don't do it. I'd rather grab a lionfish!