Is this normal for a flame to be doing to my mandarin?

[Hoopz87]

My tank is about three months old right now, the first fish I added was the flame Angel, then a dottyback, and a cardinal, which are all fine together. It's a 29 gallon cube. I however added the mandarin goby today and it's weird but is seems the flame is like backing it's *** up onto the gobys face lol best way to describe it. Anyone know what this could be? Here's a pic of my tank

 

[leveldrummer]

It may be a sign of dominance, or the beginning acts of aggression, but I gotta say, your going to have a real hard time keeping a mandarin in a 29 cube if someone hasnt told you that already. You might want to reconsider it.

 

[Hoopz87]

Yeah I'm hoping they'll be alright, and this is the first I'm hearing of that about the tank size. The lfs guy seemed to be aware and pre-cautious of what should go in what tank. I shoulda researched it first though :/

 

[humaguy]

and the flame should have been added last...

imo, a 3 month old tank is not mature enough for a mandy...

 

[snorvich]

and the flame should have been added last...

imo, a 3 month old tank is not mature enough for a mandy...

I agree with both. And a 29 gallon tank won't sustain either fish without very special treatment. Remember that LFS people are there to sell fish; Reef Central folk are here to help you succeed.

 

[Neptune 555]

Hoopz - Both the flame angel and the mandarin are not going to be happy in a 29 gallon cube. The angel needs 50 - 70 gallon and the mandarin needs around 70 - 100 pounds of live rock. Maybe your LFS will trade you? But I would do something b/4 they waste away. Here is a great resource for identifying the needs of fish b/4 your purchase them. LiveAquaria.com

Also on this website under the New to the hobby discussion forum is a sticky of post your intended fish purchase here and they answer fish by fish if it will work for you.

Here are some suggestions based on my looking for fish to thrive in a 50 gallon tank that may work for your 29 gallon cube:

Instead of the mandarin try clown goby green. He is beautiful small and only needs 10 gallons of water.

A pair of percula clowns - so much fun to watch swaggle around the tank. they would work and you could offer them a host.

good luck!

and if you are in new england area.. I would help you out with the mandarin and flame angel. Both on my wish list but not trying to score new fish.. just want you to have success in your 29 gallon cube!!

Neptune

 

[MondoBongo]

I agree with both. And a 29 gallon tank won't sustain either fish without very special treatment. Remember that LFS people are there to sell fish; Reef Central folk are here to help you succeed.

this right here.

please take the mandy back. it's not going to survive long term.

 

[Hoopz87]

Thanks a lot guys , by no means am I trying to stress fish out, and I will definitely do more research before any new additions. I'm located on Long Island . Probably gonna return for a pair of clowns

 

[Betta132]

Tail in the face is a dominance thing exhibited by a lot of fish.
And I second or third or whatever all of the above.