Acclimation box time

[ScottF]

Hello!

I've had a Powderblue/Gold-rimmed hybrid in an acclimation box for the past two days. I don't currently have any other Acanthuridae in the tank but I do have a few Yellow Tangs, a Regal Tang and a Naso.

He's been eating well and seems to have plenty of energy, but being in the box seems to have him incredibly stressed out. How long do people keep their fish in acclimation boxes to avoid aggression? I was planning on keeping him in there for a few more days, but he REALLY doesn't seem to like being in there.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I don't have a visual on your set up (including tank size, and acclimation box size), but I generally go for 3 days-- moving the box around to a total of 3 seperate places, so all other fish get to 'experience' the new arrival, and get a taste of what it is like to have it 'encroach' upon their favorite part of the tank. If everyone seems to basically ignore it, as it makes it rounds throughout the tank, I generally let it go after three days. Of course, some people might prefer much longer. But you mentioned your fish seeming stressed. So…'

 

[ScottF]

Tank is a 7' long 210gal Red Sea S1000 G2. Acclimation box is 16" x 6" x 8"

 

[JumboShrimp]

Beautiful!!

I usually move my box by gently tugging on the magnets, being careful not to drag anything like trapped sand particles.

 

[ScottF]

Beautiful!!

I usually move my box by gently tugging on the magnets, being careful not to drag anything like trapped sand particles.

I didn't think to move it around. Most of the Tangs sleep in the caves in the three rock structures on the left half of the tank. Below where the box is now.

The Regal however, sleeps in one of the eye holes of the demon/alien skull that I crafted out of marco rock. I'll move it over there and see what happens. So far no one seems to care that he is there.

In the past, my yellow tangs usually show some light aggression. Nothing serious. They just let the new additions know they are there. I don't know how the Regal or Vlamingi will react as they were the last fish that I added. The Vlamingi isn't big enough (yet) to be much of a threat to the new guy. My Melanurus Wrasse usually shows some light aggression as well at first.

 

[Uncle99]

I start them in the box, in the morning, before the cruising begins and stays in the box until first feeding, 12:00pm so about 4 hours total, Unless there was constant flashing at the box, then I wait it out till flashing the box stops. Then, I feed everyone and open the door.
Just did this guy week ago.
Everyone has their own thinking on this topic though.

 

[ScottF]

I think I'm just going to let him go. Everyone seems to be ignoring him and he is looking super stressed being cooped up in there.

 

[ScottF]

That didn't go well... All three yellows immediately started tail lashing him and he started giving it back. They are all about the same size. I turned off the tank lights and that seems to have calmed things down a little for the moment.

 

[exnisstech]

Turning lights out should help. I always release after lights out. Most residents will go to their sleep spot even though there's ambient light so the new arrival can see to navigate.

 

[ScottF]

Turning lights out should help. I always release after lights out. Most residents will go to their sleep spot even though there's ambient light so the new arrival can see to navigate.

Yeah. Most of them went to their sleep spots and the melanurus buried itself in its corner. There isn't nearly as much "energy" in the fight any more.

Now the problem is that the new guy keeps swimming over to the yellows caves and they are coming out to give a quick tail lash. Not nearly as vicious as it was and I'd think the new guy would back off if they were inflicting damage.

 

[ScottF]

What a nightmare. Hopefully my fish are still alive in the morning. The new Powderblue hybrid and my little vlamingi were going hard at each other and now the hybrid is back at the yellows.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello!

I've had a Powderblue/Gold-rimmed hybrid in an acclimation box for the past two days. I don't currently have any other Acanthuridae in the tank but I do have a few Yellow Tangs, a Regal Tang and a Naso.

He's been eating well and seems to have plenty of energy, but being in the box seems to have him incredibly stressed out. How long do people keep their fish in acclimation boxes to avoid aggression? I was planning on keeping him in there for a few more days, but he REALLY doesn't seem to like being in there.

I generally recommend 7-10 days and for aggressive fish 10-14 days

 

[twentyleagues]

I've had a Powderblue/Gold-rimmed hybrid in an acclimation box for the past two days. I don't currently have any other Acanthuridae in the tank but I do have a few Yellow Tangs, a Regal Tang and a Naso.

Naso is Acanthuridae.

Hope this works out for you and everyone settles down. Try the mirror trick? I love Tangs but they are so good at being jerks.

 

[ScottF]

Naso is Acanthuridae.

Hope this works out for you and everyone settles down. Try the mirror trick? I love Tangs but they are so good at being jerks.

I meant to say genus Acanthurus. Not Family Acanthuridae. My bad.

 

[ScottF]

I told Alexa to play Peace Train hoping the good vibes might help. It turns out that fish don't understand English and it just made the violence unfolding in front of me more ironic.

Like when they play happy music during a scene of ultra violence in a movie.

 

[ScottF]

Try the mirror trick?

Judging by the way my Blue Jaw Trigger spends his days going at his reflection in the 3/4 glass of the left side of my tank, I don't think I need the mirror.

 

[JumboShrimp]

( @twentyleagues, I have had a couple fish in my day that acted neurotic at one portion of the glass. I ended up hanging a large towel behind the glass… I can't remember now whether I used black, white, green, or brown-- but it ended up distracting them, and after a few days of swimming around the tank I was able to remove the towel. I guess it broke their habit. Might be worth a try if it's bothering you. Best wishes! )

 

[dbroncos]

I don't have a visual on your set up (including tank size, and acclimation box size), but I generally go for 3 days-- moving the box around to a total of 3 seperate places, so all other fish get to 'experience' the new arrival, and get a taste of what it is like to have it 'encroach' upon their favorite part of the tank. If everyone seems to basically ignore it, as it makes it rounds throughout the tank, I generally let it go after three days. Of course, some people might prefer much longer. But you mentioned your fish seeming stressed. So…'

what type of acclimation box is that?

 

[JumboShrimp]

@dbroncos ,

www.octoaquatics.com

 

[dbroncos]

@dbroncos ,

www.octoaquatics.com

thank you, I assume you like it?