How Do You Do ... Angelfish Introductions

[Maritimer]

In my quarantine tank swims a brilliantly healthy Indonesian regal angelfish. Other than a couple of spots of Lymphocystis, she seems to be in magnificent condition, and she's ready to introduce into her permanent home in the 220 gallon display . . .

In the display, there's a burly adult flame angelfish, who's pretty sure all that he can see is his personal kingdom. He chases a smaller coral beauty all day long, but in the evenings, he dances for her . . .

The regal is twice the size of the flame, but will size alone be enough to intimidate him?

A mirror is available to place at one end of the tank - I've used this successfully with other fish from milder-tempered families.

A Kritter Keeper is available, which could be used as a social acclimation box - though I feel it's a tad small for a fish this size. I've used it with blennies in the past, in QT.

A sheet of eggcrate is available, which could be cut down to make a temporary tank divider. During setup, I planned for this by leaving an open channel from the front glass to one of the overflows.

What would _you_ do?

~Bruce

 

[KJ]

@4FordFamily

 

[4FordFamily]

Personally, I’ve never experienced an ounce of aggression from any centrpyge toward regal angels and I’ve kept them together many times. If at least 50% larger I imagine you’ll be fine.

If you want to be extra safe, a social acclimation box is not a bad idea!

We will need some photos of this! :)

 

[Maritimer]

Excellent - sounds like a plan ... or at least, the hope of a plan!

Will be using the social acclimation box anyway, for a fairy wrasse in the same QT.

The angelfish in question:


~Bruce

 

[4FordFamily]

Excellent - sounds like a plan ... or at least, the hope of a plan!

Will be using the social acclimation box anyway, for a fairy wrasse in the same QT.

The angelfish in question:


~Bruce

I like the fake coral qt! I bet that wasn’t cheap!!

 

[Maritimer]

Actually, they were clearance ... I think they were something like five bucks apiece?

~Bruce

 

[4FordFamily]

Actually, they were clearance ... I think they were something like five bucks apiece?

~Bruce

Oh that’s a great deal! I need some of that!

 

[Maritimer]

Seems like I was worrying over not-very-much - I did put the big mirror at one end of the tank - the parrotfish is going _insane_, along with the kole tang - but introductions seem to be going very smoothly for the new fish. Here's her first minute and a half or so into the display:


~Bruce

 

[Fishhands]

Love the qt! I would not want to go in display