Introducing New Fish

[ron garnett]

I have a 240 gallon tank with three fish in it, two convict tangs and one cherub pigmy angel. I've had all three for probably seven years. I would like to add more livestock but, I fear that any new fish I introduced would be terrorized by the three fish I currently have since they've pretty much established their territory which is probably the entire tank. Not sure what to do. I could try catching the three and taking them to my LFS and starting afresh which means I'd probably have to dismantle my aquascape to catch them. I tried a few years ago introducing three pigmy angels by placing them in small clear plastic containers and putting them in the tank so that my cherub angel could get used to them. The cherub was very curious at first but after a week he seemed to lose interest. So, I released the three angels into the tank and it didn't end well. What would you suggest?

 

[KrisReef]

Interesting challenge. You are correct about territory. In the ocean if 3 fish were stuck in a tiny space like the tank (compared with the vast ocean) they might not be willing to roll out the welcome mat for newcomers, with exception to bait fishes that they planned to snack on.

One route for success might be to plan for the introduction of MANY new fishes at the same time so that the occupants of the 240 would be overwhelmed with so many new squatters that they get tired trying to chase them but can't wear down the new fish because there are so many targets.

The other issue with new fishes is the possibility of disease introduction, so perhaps setting up a temporary large tank to qt the new comers in before introduction could help reduce the likelihood of a plague from fighting and over crowding the current 3 fishes.

How many fishes you can safely add will depend on the sizes of the new comers. A large school of smaller fish (anthias) might be a neat trick, but whatever you decide you should be able to find a way forward, but how many fishes and what kinds of fishes you want to add should be carefully considered to help decide the best way to accomplish the changes.

A blue ribbon eel, a Majestic angel, a Harlequin tusk and a school of anthias would float my boat, but it's your tank and you have to figure out what fish and how many to know the best way forward considering the current occupants.

One other thought, find another large tank that is being broken down and getting healthy tank mates from that kind of source would be another possible area to consider.

 

[Lurchin_Urchin]

Just like Kris said, adding multiple fish is what I would also recommend. If you add one or two, they're easy targets and your tangs and pygmy angel could easily focus in on them and harass them to death. You gotta spread their attention to the point where its not even worth it for them. I also second the anthias! Add a group of them in (Cardinals would probably work as well), along with one or two other fish of your choosing, and just see how it goes.

But also echoing Kris' sentiment, adding new fish in is going to stress out your 3 established fish. Make sure any fish you add are free of disease because with all the added stress, anything the new ones may have will spread like wildfire.

 

[ron garnett]

Thanks Kris and Lurchin, I appreciate your input. I would like to have a tank that looks more like a reef than a fish bowl. I will take everything said into consideration and see how it goes.

 

[i cant think]

In all honesty, your best bet is probably going to be to start fresh - Plus, you will find that those fish are restrictive with what you can and can’t add.

 

[exnisstech]

3 fish in a 240 2 of them convict tangs which don't even have a scalpal. I would decide what fish you want and add as many as possible at the same time after rearranging the rocks a little bit.

EDIT : I would expect problems adding 3 pigmy angels to a tank that already has an established one. I wouldn't add more of those.