Argh!!!! What have I done???

[Buddyboy]

Hi All,

Well, I feel horrible!! I think I just started WW3 in my tank!

My stocking (in order) WAS:

2 false percs
1 midas blenny
1 lubbocks wrasse

Everyone was getting along fine. So today I picked up up a small flame angel. Just couldn't resist. So I acclimated him as usual and put him in the tank.

Well, all hell broke loose!!! The clowns started attacking the angel right away. 2 on 1! It wasn't pretty! Well, eventually the blenny got annoyed at the clowns getting too close to his perch and he took a chunk out of a clown. Now there is a small piece of skin hanging off the clown.

I recently turned off the lights and things have calmed down somewhat. The clowns are still launching search and destroy machines every 15 minutes or so. The angel seems to still be undamaged, but very stressed, shaking, etc. I feel bad because the community was pretty mellow until I added this new angel.

So, what should I do? Wait a few days and see if things mellow out? Yank out the angel and bring him back to the store? (i don't have another tank) Have I overstocked (38G tank) and pushed things too far? Will the clown heal? Not sure what to do! I feel horrible for putting all my fish through this!

Any ideas?

 

[dermer]

if things are still bad in the morning i would take it back to the lfs

 

[Tang Salad]

I think you have too many fish for a 38.

 

[Grey Reefer]

I don't think too many fish, just need a few smaller ones . If the clowns are still going after the angel take him back to LFS. You also could try to rearrange the rockwork (if possible).

 

[Sk8r]

Those clowns run the tank, and they're going to grow pretty big: they're planning on it. I don't think you'll be able to put anything in there with them.

 

[Buddyboy]

Yeah, i hear yah! Funny thing, they never beat up the lubbock's wrasse. Maybe because he doesn't have a similar size/shape?

In any case, silly clowns host some zoos on one side of the tank and haven't shown any interest in the other side. Until today when I put in the angel! Now they are all bent out of shape!!!

The little clown (male) is the instigator. Guess he doesn't want anyone else stealing his girl!!!

The big clown has a battle wound. A piece of skin hanging off of him. Will this heal up nicely??? Is there anything I should do?

Thanks for your help. Never had to referee one of these things before!

 

[zach0660]

My 2 cinnamon clowns did the same thing to my dwarf angel when I added him, but things cooled down eventually.

 

[kass03]

As you found out it's best to turn the lights off when adding a new addition to the tank for at least a day and sometimes longer.
Ive had problems with tangs before but usually after a few days they get along but sometimes not.

I personally would'nt have put a flame in a 38 gal tank. Mine is in my 150 and has been the bully of the tank. It lived fine with a coral beauty for 4 yrs and then decided to kill it.

We can't say for sure if the clown will be ok. Alot of times scrapes heal but sometimes they get infection. My guess is it will be ok but not sure.

I would prolly take the flame back just cuz I think it needs a bigger tank anyway and with the clowns picking on it that is'nt going to help.

kass

 

[dippin61]

my wifes 2 clowns couldnt care less that we just added a flame to my wifes tank.

They left him alone completely.

 

[Buddyboy]

My clowns never accepted the flame angel so I returned the angel to my LFS today. A bit of fin damage, but nothing serious. In any case, I felt it was the best thing to do! Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[hogpark7430]

Nice Avatar, Hey wait I think thats my photo. Does this mean I am famous?

[/IMG]

 

[Buddyboy]

Mike,

haha I guess you are famous! I think I got the picture from the wallpaper thread. I love unicorn tangs and that's a great shot! Are you keeping him in a 125G tank? How big is he? Oh, and thanks for letting me use your pic!

 

[davidhughes85]

I put a sixline in with my royal gramma in an 8 and the gramma promptly bit him head first and shook him! thought he was gonna eat him....first day chased him around...second if he got within 2 inches.....now no aggression....Give it a bit

 

[hobo]

Buddyboy;

I have 2 Tangs and both can become rather agressive towards any new addition. What I always do when I add a new fish regardless of size, I place a small hand miror (the type u buy at CVS or Walgreens) in the corner. This keeps the tanges per-occupied and gives the newbe a chance. All in all this process can take anywhere from 15-30min. I'm sure this same process will work with any type of fish. Becaues when they see themselves in the miror they think it's a new fish. Hope this helpes, let me know if this workes for you.

Hobo...

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

You may consider rearranging some rocks in the tank so everyone has to establish a new territory. Clowns are extemely territorial.

 

[hogpark7430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9345651#post9345651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Buddyboy
Mike,

haha I guess you are famous! I think I got the picture from the wallpaper thread. I love unicorn tangs and that's a great shot! Are you keeping him in a 125G tank? How big is he? Oh, and thanks for letting me use your pic!

He eats out of my hand and even seems to enjoy a back rub now and then. I have had him for about 4 or 5 years in my 125g and I would say he is about 6" long. At one time we thought of taking him to the downtown aquarium but I just couldn't. I am glad you used the photo.