Using other fish to deal with aggression

[SourAngelfish]

I’ve got a tailspot Blenny isolated at the moment and he does not like the angel in my tank. I’ve been told that it might be a good idea to reintroduce it with something like a damsel or pseudochromis. Would this be a good idea? I fear of overstocking my tank, but would like these to fish to coexist.

 

[eatbreakfast]

In many cases isolating the bully and allowing the new fish a few days to settle in solves the problem.

The blenny is an algae eater and the angel is a grazer, so they see each other as competition for resources.

Adding a damsel or dottyback only increases the potential for further aggression in the tank.

 

[mort]

As above. By adding aggressive species to limit aggression you will just end up with a tank where adding anything becomes a problem in the future. That or whatever you add to stop the blenny could become the next pain. It's likely once the angel settles that it will put the blenny in its place.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I have also had luck with minor rescaping with reducing aggression. Aggressor hangs out in one area make that area slightly different so has to find a new one. Trick we freshwater peeps use often ;)
Edit
What your lfs suggested is probably interpreting another method we use, bottom dwellers brawling, adding active top swimmers(dither fish) reduces aggression by keeping them looking up.
But agree with above never add another aggressive fish to be boss of another in a community tank.

 

[SourAngelfish]

I've tried isolating both fish and giving one or the other time to gain territory.I really can't rescape either cause my tank is so small that the scape only consists of two rocks. Since the angel is causing the problem, could I try isolating him and possibly adding 1 or 2 dither fish? We've got a pair of skunk clowns at the lfs hosting some rock flowers. So maybe them? I'm not really sure.

 

[SourAngelfish]

I feel pretty stupid not realizing that both blennies and angels are both heavy algae eaters, but this has taught me a great lesson. Every single impatient impulse buy causes a problem at some point.

 

[Gareth elliott]

What size tank do you have, and what type of angle?

 

[SourAngelfish]

It's a 14g with an African Flameback Angel. That's why I fear of overstocking.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I think both of those fish need a larger aquarium. I would say 50-70 for the angle and 30 for the blenny.

 

[SourAngelfish]

I've read that this angel can be kept in 20 gallons. Its similar to the cherub angel. The blenny is also getting moved out of the tank, but that may be up to a year so I would like for it to have some space to move, I'm sure he won't like being a in an acclimation box for up to a year.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Flamebacks get bigger than cherubs. A 40g would be minimum.

 

[Gareth elliott]

20 really is not enough for any dwarf angel. Its not about bio load its about their behavior. They are very active swimmers a 30” tank just isnt long enough.

 

[SourAngelfish]

I guess I'll just plan on moving out the angel and keep the blenny in the smaller tank.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Besides asking for help on forums like these. Sometimes when lfs has something and i need an answer like 10 seconds after ive seen it.
I use a mixture of
http://aqadvisor.com
And
http://liveaquaria.com
To determine if a coral, fish, invert will work for me. Neither are perfect but can at least get you in the ball park. :)

 

[lacrosseboss18]

What I’ve done is use an isolation box for a couple days. Then when I release the new fish and the others are bothering him/her I put a large mirror in front of the tank. This will somewhat mimic your theory of adding the damsel without adding another fish.