Aggressive Tang and mirror technique

[jsharp13]

Added a Mag. Foxface to my DT yesterday, and saw some really bad aggression from my Bristletooth. He ended up chasing the Foxface (a slightly larger fish) to the front corner of my tank. Any time the foxface would drop down at all, the Tang would attack. He wasn't biting, just like a "buffing" with his tail.

Anyway, after reading some on RC, I grabbed a mirror and put it on the glass. The Tang is now absolutely concentrating on the mirror, which is great. The thing I'm worried about is that he has been working on that mirror for 24 hours now (only taking a break when the lights were out). How long should I leave the mirror up? Is it meant to only distract while the Foxface makes a home, or should it break the Tang of his aggression over time? See the attached video. Its actually pretty funny, the Foxface is just chilling right by him watching him attack the glass.

 

[scooter31707]

Take it off and put it back on if needed. You can take it down and see how he reacts to the Foxface. If still aggressive, put it back up.

 

[Sk8r]

Try the 'nets' approach: put an ominous foreign object in to define an area where the bullied guy is hanging out: most fish hate nets. Grid is also good. I've also used a moderately reflective surface, (exterior) such as a dvd shiny side taped to the glass, not as provoking as a mirror, but it seems to worry the aggressor.

 

[jsharp13]

Took the mirror away. The tang hung out for awhile to see if that ugly intruder came back, but gave up after a few minutes. Now, they are both hanging picking algae off of the same rock and seem to be best buds. I'll keep an eye on it, but it appears to have done the trick. Thanks!

 

[Sk8r]

Excellent! Every day it's a new world if you're a duck---or a fish.

 

[bdunn12]

Learned something new. Glad that worked out for you so far.

 

[Careldutoit]

Took the mirror away. The tang hung out for awhile to see if that ugly intruder came back, but gave up after a few minutes. Now, they are both hanging picking algae off of the same rock and seem to be best buds. I'll keep an eye on it, but it appears to have done the trick. Thanks!

Hi guys. How long did you leave mirror? I had psycho Blue Damsel and tried it, but started to late. Resident basically killed the newbie.

My one tang is now keeping to the side of the tank where mirror was swimming up and down....will this behavior stop?