Introducing a new tang

RWillieK · #1 12/19/2007, 08:18 PM

I have a convict tang in my tank, its good and and fat.

Today I brought home a Sailfin tang I got at a great price.....the convict is not happy about it.

The only thing I know to do is remove the convict, rearrange a bunch, put the sailfin in, and then introduce the convict back.

I wouldn't be opposed to giving up the convict either, I like the sailfin a lot better.

Any ideas on acclimating the two?

Robbie

coryjac0b · #2 12/19/2007, 08:37 PM

you could seperate the tank with eggcrate if possible, maybe let them just get used to being in the same water together, than remove see what happens. or try placing a mirror on the fron the tank. the convict should go after the mirror more than the sailfin.

RWillieK · #3 12/19/2007, 08:40 PM

I was considering making a acrylic box to house the sailfin in for a few hours.....would work nearly the same.

Robbie

Charlie's Angel · #4 12/19/2007, 09:42 PM

you could hang up a mirror to distract the two from each other

bangaii man · #5 12/19/2007, 10:05 PM

I like the eggcrate divider idea. I just introduced a sailfin tang into my tank which has a large purple and 4 yelllow and 1 blue hippo. the purple beat up on the sailfin for a few hours, then the sailfin hid in the corner for a few days. I target fed him, his fins recovered quickly and after 1 week was right in the mix with the other fish. The sailfin seems smart and tough so I think he'll make it. Good luck

sunfish11 · #6 12/20/2007, 11:19 AM

They should get over it in a few days. If not then you may have to give one up. I have noticed that fish with vertical stripes don't like other fish with vertical stripes. It sounds simplistic, but it does seem to hold true IME. Don't add a copperband next, they will both probably beat it up.

Lisa

Neptune777 · #7 12/20/2007, 07:07 PM

The Mirror trick will work wonders!!!

RWillieK · #8 12/20/2007, 07:49 PM

I thought of something on the way home, and it seems to be working so far.......I printed out a generic photo of a Sailfin, trimmed around the body of the photo, and taped it to the glass..

almost immediatly the Convict started flairing its dorsal fins, and acting up towards it....hopefully the dummy fish will take whatever abuse the convict is going to dish out, and then the new guy will be just fine.

I'll keep this updated.

Robbie

RWillieK · #9 12/22/2007, 08:58 AM

Well it has worked pretty well.

I left the photo up for two days, and then introduced the new fish. The Convict has shown no aggresion towards the Sailfin.

The Sailfin is more interested in his own refelction on the cleaned glass.

Robbie

eskymick · #10 12/22/2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RWillieK
I thought of something on the way home, and it seems to be working so far.......I printed out a generic photo of a Sailfin, trimmed around the body of the photo, and taped it to the glass..

almost immediatly the Convict started flairing its dorsal fins, and acting up towards it....hopefully the dummy fish will take whatever abuse the convict is going to dish out, and then the new guy will be just fine.

I'll keep this updated.

I use this technique as well. Before I add any fish to the disply, I tape a picture of it to the glass. Once the new fish is added, the current occupants are already accustomed to it's "presence".

nmprisons · #11 12/22/2007, 01:34 PM

either way, in a 90 problems between those two tangs will re-develop sooner or later.

01saleen · #12 12/22/2007, 06:13 PM

they will get along in a couple of days. My blue gave my chevron a hard time for a week, but after a couple of days they were, and still are fine.