Fish fight - Help!

[polabear627]

I've been watching a Copperband at TFO for almost a month and purchased it last night. Beautiful fish and appears very healthly however as soon as I finally got intorduced into the tank my Atlantic Blue Tang went nuts. It was nipping and tail wagging and chasing the Copperband all over the tank. Things calmed down when the lights went off but this morning I could see the Tang still trying the move the Butterfly no matter where it was hiding. I moved the Butterfly to my sump to make sure it survived the day. My wife thinks I should have moved the Tang to teach it a lesson - BAD FISH! - At this point I may try anything. Any ideas or do I have a fish for sale?

BTW - they are in a 75 with a hybrid perc and a fat 3 stripe damsel - only because I cant catch the little bugger

Don

 

[fatrip]

how big is the atlantic blue? also you can try to hold a mirror up to the glass and the tang might go after his own reflection. i believe it was Ryan that did this when he introduced a powder blue and his sailfin tang was beating him up. other than that you can try and put the blue tang in a different system for a bit until the copper banded get settled in then bring him back.

 

[polabear627]

Both fish are about the same size - maybe 3 to 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
I'll try the mirror tonight thanks for the tip- guess i'll have to clean the glass now!

 

[Szwalla]

I had a similar problem and someone suggested moving LR around to change the "territories". It seemed to work....

 

[frankandmaura]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12778095#post12778095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Szwalla
I had a similar problem and someone suggested moving LR around to change the "territories". It seemed to work....

I second this...change the landscape. They need to redefine their boundaries...

 

[fatrip]

this usually doesnt work in smaller 4' tanks with known aggressive fish like the atlintic blue tang.

 

[Capt_Cully]

$5 on blue.

sorry

 

[fatrip]

i got 20 on the damsel...

 

[Dave VG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12778309#post12778309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatrip
i got 20 on the damsel...

Ditto

 

[polabear627]

Oh you guys are HYSTERICAL! )

Maybe I can sell tickets and that might cover the cost of the fish. Or better yet
- time to set up a second tank!

 

[fatrip]

deff set up a 180 for the tang......lol

 

[POSEIDOMORS]

my atlantic blue does that to every fish that is added to my tank no matter the size or species. but the aggression subsides after two to three days.

 

[Blugobi]

Hey Pola.....Poseidomors is right, things should settle in a few days...keep em feed well...helps to keep the anxiety down.

 

[polabear627]

UPDATE!
I have a mirror in front of the tank and surprise surprise the tang loves it. I think he is a bit preoccupied with himself though and I fear he may be developing a complex. When he sees the butterfly though its still slice and dice.
The butterfly looks a tad battered in the fins but is still moving freely.
I hope this ends soon cause I REALLY dont want to rearrange the rocks. I'm sure the butterfly feels the same.
If its the same tomorrow the Tang gets put in the dungeon for a week while the butterfly gets acclimated.

 

[dreaminmel]

Hopefully that works out well for you w/ the solitary confinement. I also have an Atlantic Blue that I absolutely love and will never get rid of. I also wanted a Sailfin. The first attempt at adding one ended in the Sailfin perishing while I was at work. My next attempt involved a Sailfin slightly larger in size than the Blue and it helped that the Sailfin showed a little spunk at the LFS. They had some issues for the first 3-4 days but the Sailfin stood his ground every time and flared out his fins making him look even bigger. The two are inseparable now...