Introducing copperband in tank with powder blue

[mattgumaer]

All,

I recently put a copperband through quarantine and then put the fish in my 180 gallon which has three tangs, including a powder blue tang. The copperband spent two days in an acclimation box. All fish, including the powder blue, ignored it. Within minutes of releasing the copperband into the tank however, the powder blue began to chase and nip at it. I fed the fish and put some nori on a clip which served as a temporary distraction. I also taped a mirror to the front of the tank which is keeping the powder blue somewhat occupied. However it still seems to be taking a periodic break to harass the copperband which is at the other end of the tank. It doesn't appear that any damage has been done yet but I'm concerned. Any thoughts on additional steps to take or how long to leave the fish together before making an effort to catch one (which seems like a daunting task, particularly if I try to catch the powder blue). Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

Matt

 

[starkii]

Is the copperband still eating? Sometimes you get a little aggression when something enters that changes the dynamic of the tank. Hopefully the powder will stop this behaviour in a few days as it reasserts itself as king. Its good that there hasn't been any damage so keep an eye on it. I think a few more days in the acclimation box may have helped a little but you can't predict what will happen with the more aggressive species and it's why ideally the tang would have been last although that's not always possible.

 

[Shivsreef]

Is your rock work all connected or are there gaps between them?

Weird question I know but I was wondering if you could isolate the powder blue on one side by using egg crate between the rocks ( if you have a gap between them) and do this maybe for a week and then everything should be back to normal

 

[Dmorty217]

You need to catch and remove the powder blue and then reintroduce after a "car ride" or time out in the sump. This will always be a issue as long as you add new stock and the powder blue is present

 

[mattgumaer]

Thanks guys. I wasn't around today to observe behavior but did see the copperband tonight with a flashlight. My rock work is such that dividing the tank will not be possible. If things continue I will try to catch the powder blue (may be back for advise on that). There are two other tangs in my tank, a reasonably small yellow and a slightly larger Kole tang. The powder blue does show his dominance to these fish but largely ignores them most of the time, particularly the Kole that likes to swim with the powder blue. So, I'm hoping there is a chance that once the powder blue feels like it asserted itself, it the won't feel the need to harass the copperband. For what it's worth, I have added a mystery wrasse and an orchard dottyback in the last 8 months or so. The powder blue didn't even seem to notice them (I recognize the copperband is closer in shape to a tang).


Matt