I Have a Theory

[Reef enthusiasm]

So, I'm sure most of you have heard of the trick to get a nem to host a clown, by posting pictures on the side of the tank.

BUT...

What if you did that with pictures of larger groupers or barracudas to scare them when you add new fish to make them nervous and not as aggressive?

 

[DanDashO]

I've done something like this; if you put a mirror on the glass, they're too p!ssed by their own reflection to bother any newcomers!

 

[Reef enthusiasm]

I've done something like this; if you put a mirror on the glass, they're too p!ssed by their own reflection to bother any newcomers!

Oh Really? do you think it would if the female saw her reflection and you added a few juveniles while she was distracted?

 

[DanDashO]

Not sure about that, I used it mostly to add tangs to tanks that had other tangs already. It may distract her long enough to get the new guys in, but if she finds them later on, she beat them pretty bad.
Are you trying to pair, or are you trying to make a small group?

 

[ThRoewer]

Oh Really? do you think it would if the female saw her reflection and you added a few juveniles while she was distracted?

In my experience fighting her mirror image only gets her so riled up and mad that she attacks everything that crosses her path, even her mate.

 

[davocean]

If it is an aggressive clown already I agree that can lead to increased aggression.
Mine are peaceful so they just stared at their reflection.
I prefer to just provide a natural host match, hosting usually happens quickly that way.

 

[Reef enthusiasm]

Not sure about that, I used it mostly to add tangs to tanks that had other tangs already. It may distract her long enough to get the new guys in, but if she finds them later on, she beat them pretty bad.
Are you trying to pair, or are you trying to make a small group?

trying to repopulate my group, I had a few small ones killed by a recent power surge that took out my heater, not a big deal if i cant replace them, but I would like to.

 

[DanDashO]

In my experience fighting her mirror image only gets her so riled up and mad that she attacks everything that crosses her path, even her mate.

To be honest, I've never tried this on clowns, only tangs. You may be right about it making things worse.