"Aggressive Fish"

[E.intheC]

OK. Here's the short version. I have been in the Saltwater aquarium hobby for almost 5 years now. The vast majority of that experience has been with PEACEFUL fish (and reefs..)

I know about freshwater aggression, hunting behavior, and territoriality, but with saltwater it seems more complicated (to me, anyway).

First, I'd really appreciate some tips/suggested reading (articles, books, magazines, etc).. as I've done about as much "googling" as mentally possible :hmm5: and have gathered a ton of basic information. Key word here though is BASIC.

I realize experience is the best teacher, but would still like to have a heads up on aggressive fish and how to handle/troubleshoot/etc.. essentially to have a solid general knowledge base on my own in case these issues come up.

So, with that said.. can you make any recommendations? Any suggested reading? What to look for? "What to do in xyz case?"

Want to do this FOWLR the right way. Thanks

 

[toash]

My thoughts are kinda along your lines....experience just seems to be the best tool....I have put fish together that "shouldn't" be together or "will be fine" in both cases it has worked and not worked so you never really know....I have had oscellaris clowns be some of the meanest fish and triggers be some of the nicest in some tanks so you never really know

 

[LukFox]

Any info on the size tank you're planning and what fish you like? Otherwise there is just too much info to write in a post. My big suggestion is to first figure out if you like predators, aggressives (territorial usually but there are other factors), or predatory aggressives. You can keep lions for example with the most peaceful of fish if they are too big to eat, but aggressives are trickier and much more luck is involved in mixing. Predators are straight forward, food versus not food.

 

[Monkeyfish]

Hey E!

I agree with the above... How big is the tank and what kind of fish are you interested in?

My 180g used to be an "aggressive tank." It was stocked with a klunzinger wrasse, clown tang, emperor angel, a few damsels, a foxface and a humuhumu trigger. Never had any problems with fights between the fish. My clean-up crew was one really big hermit which I still have today. (The dardanus never bothered any of the fishes small or large.)

 

[E.intheC]

Well.. I have a 90 gal right now. Not sure what I want yet... I like a lot of large, personable, semi aggressive to aggressive fish like triggers, tangs, puffers, and angels... But I'm aware most won't fit.

Really though.. I'm looking for general advice... Let's say I put ... For example... A 2 inch trigger and some damsels... And the trigger goes nuts and gets extremely territorial... Do I then put a larger aggressive fish in the tank? Remove them? Add half a dozen more damsels?

Also.. How do you know what is "sorting out who is boss" say with an angel who is establishing dominance.. Vs an angel that will KILL its tankmates? How do you tell if its going to chill out? Etc etc

 

[E.intheC]

I'd rather not post a question such as "I have xy and z fish, can I add this fish?". I feel l won't learn as much going this way. I'm probably rambling at this point but I hope It makes sense.

 

[Monkeyfish]

I'd avoid large angels in a 90g. I tried an Emperor once, but after 2 years in my 180g tank he was over 10 inches long and appeared really unhappy. He died when the tank crashed last year. (The crash was caused by release of gas into the water that occurred when I vacuumed my sump.) Now I won't buy them. After seeing these fish while diving, I've learned how large a territory they have and how big they can get.

A dwarf angel would do well in the 90g.

As for triggers, some of the Rhinecanthus species would do okay, like a Picasso or Bursa.

Any damsel would get along with the above fine, just don't get too many. One would be best.

The only tangs I'd consider would be a yellow or kole.

Get a dwarf puffer like a valentini or blue spotted instead of a porcupine or or dog face which can get quite large.

Some things people do to curb aggression are:
1. Add fish from least aggressive to most aggressive; least first and most last.
2. Rearrange the rock work to break up any perceived territories
3. Remove or avoid getting any "king of the hill" type fish
4. Remove the aggressor to a time out tank or sump for a few days so he can chill
5. Arrange the aquascape so fish have escape routes; ways/paths to swim and avoid aggressors