Adding Fish After PBT

[Dr Colliebreath]

I just lost 4 fish in a power outage, I will add a couple of new fish to my dt over the next couple of months - at least a butterflyfish or two (raccoon) and an angel. I am concerned the existing pbt will not permit the introduction of additional fish as it has been in my tank more than 6 months and has grown a surprising amount in that time (it started very small). What would you do? Take the pbt to a lfs or put it in a separate tank for a month and then put it back in the dt after the other fish are introduced and risk it attacking them?

The pbt is a good 4" now and my qts are 30" long (a 20 L and a 37, which is a 29 high). It is in excellent health, eats well and is very active.

This pbt attacked my regal angel when I put it in the tank but left it alone after the regal was in an acclimation box for a week. It also chased the moorish idol some most days but didn't do any damage.

 

[MIKE NY]

take the PBT out for awhile then place it back in...I have to do it with mine almost every time I add a new fish even doing that I still can't place another tang in....

 

[ezerasurfr]

sorry about your losses. if you get the fish small (angel and butterfly) I dont see any issues. If you get them as adults, you can always rearrange your aquascape when you introduce the new fish.

 

[scoupland]

I agree with MIKE NY. My PBT was a brute and had to be removed to introduce new fish.

 

[sea of cortez]

I have had good luck placeing a mirror on the tank. The aggressive fish seem more interested in attacking there reflection than there new tankmates.

 

[Inklinkerman]

ive used a mirror with my sohal when adding new fish. the sohal is so interested in the "other" tang that it ignores the other fish

 

[MrTuskfish]

ive used a mirror with my sohal when adding new fish. the sohal is so interested in the "other" tang that it ignores the other fish

This works surprisingly well; as long as the fish aren't real enemies, like tangs of the same genus.
BTW, Dr. C; have you ever kept Auriga Butterfly Fish? My favorite "easy" butterfly and a very under-appreciated fish, IMO. gorgeous, hardy, non-wussy, up front, do well in pairs----all that good stuff.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

The auriga is one of my favorites. I had one in the past. Given my space limitations, I am trying to come up with a mix of fish to live with until I get that larger tank.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

It sounds like the sentiment is that I may not need to get rid of the pbt after all. I used the mirror on this pbt and it kept him completely occupied, so I know it will work. Hopefully, removal of the mirror that has frustrated the pbt won't result in him turning on the new fish.