how long does the mirror trick work?

FiReBReTHa

FiReBReTHa

Master Blaster!
I am adding new fish, but I dont want the achilles to start ignoring his reflection.

I just want to make sure that I dont over do it.
 
From my experience, the mirror trick works indefinitely and have never had a fish stop being fooled by it and not go after its reflection. The problem with the mirror trick is that it is very stressful on fish because they see a conspecific and feel that their territory is being invaded and thus constantly attack the reflection. I would not want to continue the mirror trick too long with your achilles b/c it will greatly stress him and likely reduce the effectiveness of his immune system which, as I am sure you are aware, can be a major problem with this species b/c of is susceptablility to disease and parasites. Now, how long is too long? I just do not know. I suggest, however, using the mirror trick only long enough to get the new fish in the tank and reasonably settled in (a couple days or so). I would then remove the mirror. I would expect some aggression to be exhibited by the achilles and/or other fish toward the new arrival once the mirror is removed, but hopefully the new arrival will have settled in enough by then that some of the major acclimation stress of the new arrival will have reduced to a suffcient degree that the new arrival will then be able to handle the aggression which is shown once the mirror is removed.
 
That is a perfect answer to my question. Its exact to what I needed so I can balance how much "attack" time I give the achilles each day. The new wrasse hasnt come out yet so I am trying make sure I have the mirrors up in time to give the wrasse good time to acquaint himself with the tank with minimal attacking.
 
I would not be surprised if the tang paid absolutely no attention to the new wrasse at all, without the mirror trick. Wrasses don't really show up on a tangs radar.
 
pinnatus said:
I would not be surprised if the tang paid absolutely no attention to the new wrasse at all, without the mirror trick. Wrasses don't really show up on a tangs radar.
Click to expand...

I realize you never said it was, but this is not always the case. Sizing sometimes factors in regardless of genus/species.

I had a small Blue Tang that was not at all pleased when I added a slightly larger Royal Gramma to his tank one day. Chased the thing mercilessly and that was after 24 hours in an acrylic "introduction chamber". Finally the gramma figured out some places it could fit that the tang could not and after a few days of careful refuge near it's hidey-holes it did fine from then on.
 
By the way, I have always found it beneficial to turn off the lights when adding a fish that might be bullied. ideal lights off time for me has been 12-15 hours. I use mirrors as a last resort. I also use an acrylic acclimation chamber which is temporarily stuck on the front tank wall; allows feeding, good water and a barrier against bullying.
 
sWell I placed the wrasse yesterday and he buried right into the lile home I made him and today at gots previous owners lights on time he came out. Achilles is determined but gets distracted by the mirror. The wrasse hides from the achilles very tactically using the terrain. Im at dinner now so I am hoping when I get home its just as wellas I left. I think he will adjust in time. Tomorrow I am adding three anthias to the mix.
 
how big is the achilles and did you QT him? any hypo or copper?

theres one at my LFS about 3.5" and its giving me the itch. i think if my tank was up, i might've gotten him.
 
geaux xman said:
how big is the achilles and did you QT him? any hypo or copper?

theres one at my LFS about 3.5" and its giving me the itch. i think if my tank was up, i might've gotten him.
Click to expand...

Def read the achilles thread before considering. No qt as it often kills achilles. Must have an established tank with grazing algae.
 
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mirror I swapped sides and now placed it on the left side. feel free to FFWD as it was a FTVideo
 
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