Help with established tank

JetStarheart · Dec 15, 2013

How do I introduce new fish to an established tank? I have tried all the standbys. Moving decorations. Stirring up tank. Etc. I have a crew of 3 that no matter what.. Attack newcomers.. Ideas??

icemountain · Dec 15, 2013

try putting an egg crate or some sort of divider between the new fish and the established tank mates until they settle down.

PaulKreider · Dec 15, 2013

What are the three fish? And what are you trying to add?

TJ's Reef · Dec 15, 2013

Yah, what ^Paul^ said or asked. This would obviously help with giving advice, because no matter how many Chromis you add a Trigger, Lionfish and Moray Eeel will certainly attack....... Just kidding of course, but interested to seeing what trio you have and what new addition(s) you have tried.

Cheers, Todd

JetStarheart · Dec 15, 2013

A purple tang,springerii dottyback and a red damsel... The tang is a terror.. And it is anything that swims. I have tried wrasse,damsel,clowns.. They all get harrassed and nipped..

PaulKreider · Dec 16, 2013

How big is the tank?

JMSKI333 · Dec 16, 2013

You could put a few mirrors up on your tank to distract the terrirtorial fish while you add some new guys. They will be so distracted with their own reflection that they will ignore the new guy and give him a chance to settle in.

JetStarheart · Dec 17, 2013

It is a 74 gallon tank... Mirrors didnt work

JMSKI333 · Dec 17, 2013

I'm sorry to hear that. You may need to remove some fish and add the tang and damsel back in last. I would try adding multiple fish at once (to spread out the aggression) with the lights off, leave the lights off for a day or so to let the new fish relax. Then when the lights come on, have a few mirrors mounted to the tank to distract the aggressors. That's all I can think of. Maybe move a few things around in the process?

Otherwise, like I said, you may need to remove some fish if you want more fish.

I should note that my fish show aggression to my new tank mates but it usually passes in a few days once everyone learns their place. I always leave the lights off for 12+ hours for a new inhabitant to get acclimated.