added a false personifer, WWIII ensued

[geaux xman]

Well after a thorough QT, today I added the 6" false personifer to my DT. In the DT exist a powder brown tang, emperor juvie, and adult blueface, all about 4". All has been there together since early April.

The original three dont bother each other not one bit. The BF is usually in the background, while the powder brown and emperor juvie is usually together swimming around. Never have I noticed an ounce of aggression from any of the three.

Well the second the FP entered the tank, the powder brown flared and started terrorizing the FP nonstop. I left it for maybe 10 mins. If for a few hours, I think the FP would die from stress. So in the acclimation box the powder brown goes. Then the BF took his turn. He zoomed across the tank each time he got a glimpse of the FP. The BF just wouldnt leave the FP alone and the FP seem pretty frighten and was very passive. So there I had to break out the eggcrate.

Somehow the Emperor juvie was able to sneak over to the FP side, but they got along just fine.

Heres a clip of them separated. I really didnt anticipate the aggression from the powder brown and blueface, so I didnt have the camera ready.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vzKiDmTF1io?hd=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

anyone had to deal with aggression issues from powder browns or blueface angels when introducing new tankmates? did it subside?

 

[Toddrtrex]

It was several years ago that I had a blueface, the larger it got the more aggressive it got. I personally don't see things getting any better. And correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you also planning on putting a Passer in this tank? If so, what are you seeing will be minor compare to when the Passer gets fully settled.

 

[geaux xman]

the passer is only ~2" ATM. if i can keep it for 2yrs, that is fine with me.

 

[Toddrtrex]

And what will happen in 2 years?

 

[SDguy]

I personally would just let the tank settle for a few months. How old is it? It looks like a QT, not a DT.

Keep the PB in the box for a few weeks, then after a month remove the eggcrate. If you have problems, start removing fish. I wouldn't add any more large angels to that tank. More than likely you'll have to remove one or two eventually.

 

[geaux xman]

who knows. they might all get along, they might not. every fish has it own personality. if i have to, i will rehome it, or maybe even get a 2nd tank for it.

 

[snorvich]

And correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you also planning on putting a Passer in this tank? If so, what are you seeing will be minor compare to when the Passer gets fully settled.

Amen to that. Passers (and clarions) can be mean fish.

 

[flameangel88]

I had a powder blue few years back and it was fine with all the fishes (including ones that went in a month later) but any new comers will endure chases at sight. This is with my 180g and I had about 250lbs of live rock for shelter. I decided to let the powder blue go because I wanted to be able to add new fish. I've read quite a few threads where folks use the mirror trick to distract their tangs and works but I value adding angels more without seeing them get cut up.

A big problem I see with your DT at the moment is the lack of rock and the tang will hunt down any new comers with ease. Secondly, I wouldn't keep the tang in the container for more than 10 days as they need lots of room to swim. If possible I would put the tang in another tank till you finish adding all the fishes and established before putting the tang back in. I wish there was a simple way but its the nature of the tang to fight for survival in a enclosed environment. Imho I think life will be much easier without the tang but that's totally your decision. I remember my juv emperor was kind of aggressive toward mid to large angels but became very aggressive as he started to change to adult form so this is another thing to consider over the next 12-18 months.

Best of luck with your new additions!

 

[AuroraDrvr]

I personally would just let the tank settle for a few months. How old is it? It looks like a QT, not a DT.

Keep the PB in the box for a few weeks, then after a month remove the eggcrate. If you have problems, start removing fish. I wouldn't add any more large angels to that tank. More than likely you'll have to remove one or two eventually.

I have to agree with this. Keep the tank separated and the PBT separated (a QT or Sump is better than that container) for a while and then slowly add fish "back".

I have a feeling the lack of grazing material on the barren liverock is part the issue. The fish feel like they're going to have to compete for food, and that's exactly what they are doing. Tank looks like it was setup 5 days ago. :-\

 

[tcmfish]

I also agree the tank is too sterile. Also that powder brown tang looked very pale (probably trying to match the environment, but still), they should be dark brownish purple. One of my favorite tangs when they are healthy, but they shouldn't be so light in color. That white cheek should really pop on their face, not blend in.

I also agree on the advice given on the passer angel. They can be real terrors, most people who mix angels do it with the more peaceful/smaller species and in very large tanks. I wouldn't add the passer, just my 2 cents. They are very beautiful fish, but meant for a more aggressive setup and nothing really similar to them in the same tank.

 

[geaux xman]

thanks for all the feedback.

we'll see how it works out when i do release them together again in a few weeks. i'll probably put the PB on the other side after a few days. let it get a good look at the FP for a little while first.

the PB actually gets fed pretty well and will eat out of my hand. PE mysis, pellets, and nori 3-4x/day. plus flakes.

a year from now, the tank will still have the sterile look. i dont turn on the metal halides. daily i just keep the room lights on from 8am-7pm, so there wont be any coralline or algae growth.

 

[SDguy]

the PB actually gets fed pretty well and will eat out of my hand. PE mysis, pellets, and nori 3-4x/day. plus flakes.

a year from now, the tank will still have the sterile look. i dont turn on the metal halides. daily i just keep the room lights on from 8am-7pm, so there wont be any coralline or algae growth.

I'd consider smaller, more frequent feedings in such a display. Get yourself an autofeeder, for sure.