Acclimation box question

[evolved]

In short, does it work in reverse? That question probably makes no sense, so here's the (short) story:

I bought the trio of Timor wrasses which came up on DD last week, for those who saw them. I have three Cirrhilabrus wrasses (Flame, Rhomboid, Lineatus) in my tank and two Halichoeres wrasses (Melanurus, Canary). Timor wrasses, for those that missed it or have never seem them:

Well, perhaps it was a bad decision, but I elected not to put these guys into the acclimation box upon transfer to the DT as I conjectured I'd do more harm than good to the new guys, putting Halichoeres wrasses in a confined space without a sand bed to hide in. I figured I'd probably stress them to death. Well, none of my existing fish acted hostile towards them, with the exception of the Canary wrasse. He was out for the kill. So I captured him quickly and put him into the acclimation box, not knowing what else to do. I put in a small cup of sand for him to hide in, if need be (hindsight: probably what I should have done with the new guys, but alas). So he's been in the box for a couple days now, and has calmed down. The new male Timor wrasse has approached him, and the Canary has not acted aggressively. (sidenote: one of the female Timor wrasses didn't make it, succumbed to stress it seems. The other began appearing yesterday. The male has been out for the last 2 days.)

Will the box work for re-introduction of the Canary, or should I rid myself from him? I kinda hate to just give him up, but I don't want to risk the well-being of the new pair. I realize it's all about territory, so the real question here is will the Canary be "reset" by this isolation, or have I just delayed the aggression?

 

[Brad Syphus]

I would think it would work. Keep him in there for a few more days and if you can, move some of your rock work around, rearrange a few things , so the canary will feel like he is the new guy.

 

[evolved]

Yeah, I wasn't planning on making a decision before tomorrow at least. Thanks for the input. Moving any rocks around isn't really a viable option in my coral-packed tank.

As bad as it sounds, unless I can be convinced it has a really good chance of working, I'd prefer to give up a common canary wrasse than risk a pair of wrasses not commonly seen in the trade.

 

[Aquaph8]

I agree with Brad. Moving some rock is a good idea if you can manage. What family is the Timor wrasses in? Very cool fish.

 

[evolved]

Timor is a Halichoeres as well; guess I failed to mention that. As I said, moving rocks isn't a viable option unfortunately.

Thanks for the input and complement. :)

 

[nixer]

it will work ive done it with a 6line and a few other fish

 

[evolved]

It's really nice to be getting some positive feedback on this idea...

So what would be the consensus for when I should attempt a release? He's been in for 3 days now.

 

[evolved]

4 days... Any takers? Today or tomorrow?

 

[Paul_N]

I would give it a couple more days maybe tomorrow or Saturday. Did you have trouble catching the canary to put him in there?

 

[evolved]

I was able to catch him in about 15 seconds, but I don't know how much luck was involved in that. I wouldn't place my money on it being quite so repeatable.

 

[Paul_N]

I was just wondering if it started to go after them again if you could pull get him out as easily. How big is your tank?

 

[evolved]

It's a 5' 125.

However, this is now a moot topic.

4 days was 1 day too long. He was laying dead on the bottom of the box when I got home last night. :(