HKfshkpr1
Active Member
This 3-1/2 inch fish is always bold. I thought he was kind of stupid because he never paniced not even when I put my hand into the QT. I wonder if he would be quick enough for the much biggger yellow tang in the show tank. I used TTM 5 times on him and put him in a large DIY acclamition box "hanging at the top". Easy to feed but had disadvantages: seldom met eye to eye with other bigger fish, no where near rocks, etc, had no solid bottom, also much closer to the bright tank light. He ate OK but may not have felt comfortable in there? 3 days later he was covered with ich. That was about 40 days ago.
I removed him and put him through another 5 TTM. In the mean time I suspected that my DT's not ich free. I added UV's but the big one burnt out in 2 weeks, leaving a small 13W for my 250 gal. system. Meanwhile, **I discovered that my nitrate level was too high!**I promply cleaned all my mechanical filters, added a protein skimmer, and did 2 water changes. All my fish became more lively and have good appetite.
After 5 TT's he's ich free again. I "practically"( haha!) tested the water by changing his water with water from the DT, which by this time's good with low nitrate. After a week I placed him in the same DIY acclamation box again. But this time I did a modification: I cut out the center of the DIY box cover and placed a clear plastic sheet on top, then put on the remaining "frame" of the cover( see picture). I also cut out holes in the clear plastic so I could feed the fish with a long baster.
Now I could place the box right on the bottom next to a rock. I also had the PVC fittings in there that he's used to. I believe he felt more secure in this position. He's OK there for a week before I released him "together" with a sub-adult Emperor Angel. I released the just before the tank light went out and I did not move any rocks because I thought it might have confuse the bullies but it'd also confuse the new fish too. I saw them hovering on 1 side of the tank for at least half and hour but no other fish bothered them.
The next morning, as I expected, the yellow tang that's 2-3 time bigger than the PBT, started to harrass him. What I didn't expect was how quick the PBT was in avoiding attacks. Now I can see why they often become king of the tank becuse he's like a fighter jet that can make quick maneuvers. The yellow tang just could not touch him at all! Definitely not a stupid fish , haha! He also successfully fended off the Bi-color Angel and a much bigger Hippo Tang. Somehow he could sense the Hippo Tang's a softy and would not mind a skirmish with her.
I can call it a success since these 2 have been doing great in the DT for almost 2 weeks. The yellow tang has given up harrassing the PBT and would not dare to bother the Emperor, which has been quite bold but gentle.
To me the keys are: (1) Good water quality. (2) Get the new fish used to the show tank water.(3) Make the new fish comfortable by placing the acclamation box on the bottom next to a rock.
4) Introduce multiple fish at a time especially with a gentle giant in the mix. (5) Not sure but UV's may have helped. My conclusion is water qua
lity is number one!
I removed him and put him through another 5 TTM. In the mean time I suspected that my DT's not ich free. I added UV's but the big one burnt out in 2 weeks, leaving a small 13W for my 250 gal. system. Meanwhile, **I discovered that my nitrate level was too high!**I promply cleaned all my mechanical filters, added a protein skimmer, and did 2 water changes. All my fish became more lively and have good appetite.
After 5 TT's he's ich free again. I "practically"( haha!) tested the water by changing his water with water from the DT, which by this time's good with low nitrate. After a week I placed him in the same DIY acclamation box again. But this time I did a modification: I cut out the center of the DIY box cover and placed a clear plastic sheet on top, then put on the remaining "frame" of the cover( see picture). I also cut out holes in the clear plastic so I could feed the fish with a long baster.
Now I could place the box right on the bottom next to a rock. I also had the PVC fittings in there that he's used to. I believe he felt more secure in this position. He's OK there for a week before I released him "together" with a sub-adult Emperor Angel. I released the just before the tank light went out and I did not move any rocks because I thought it might have confuse the bullies but it'd also confuse the new fish too. I saw them hovering on 1 side of the tank for at least half and hour but no other fish bothered them.
The next morning, as I expected, the yellow tang that's 2-3 time bigger than the PBT, started to harrass him. What I didn't expect was how quick the PBT was in avoiding attacks. Now I can see why they often become king of the tank becuse he's like a fighter jet that can make quick maneuvers. The yellow tang just could not touch him at all! Definitely not a stupid fish , haha! He also successfully fended off the Bi-color Angel and a much bigger Hippo Tang. Somehow he could sense the Hippo Tang's a softy and would not mind a skirmish with her.
I can call it a success since these 2 have been doing great in the DT for almost 2 weeks. The yellow tang has given up harrassing the PBT and would not dare to bother the Emperor, which has been quite bold but gentle.
To me the keys are: (1) Good water quality. (2) Get the new fish used to the show tank water.(3) Make the new fish comfortable by placing the acclamation box on the bottom next to a rock.
4) Introduce multiple fish at a time especially with a gentle giant in the mix. (5) Not sure but UV's may have helped. My conclusion is water qua
