Mirror trick for Powder Blue Tang aggression. Worked like a charm!!!

[phillyb614]

Yesterday we picked up a Foxface to put in the FOWLR tank. This is the last fish that will be added to this tank. It is also the first fish that has been added since adding our Powder Blue Tang. I know, I know, should have added the tang last.

After adding the FF the PBT was NOT happy about it! I ended up putting the FF in an isolation box to protect it and kept it in there overnight.

I did some research and discovered the technique of hanging a mirror on the tank, to get the PBT to focus on himself/another PBT instead the newly added FF. When I first heard this, I thought “There is no $@&#%*+ way that will work”. However, I didn’t have many other options.

Well, it worked like a charm!! The PBT could care less about the FF now, and has been fighting himself ever since adding the mirror. To whoever figured this out….you’re a freaking genius!

For anyone that has done this same thing with success, I do have a couple of questions.

How long did you leave the mirror up?

Was the any concern about the aggressive fish driving itself crazy or hurting itself from going after the glass nonstop? Because the PBT has NOT stopped.

 

[exnisstech]

I've heard of it working. I tried it once with a purple tang and it was scared of its own reflection lol

 

[Maritimer]

I leave the mirror up a few days, until the new fish has integrated itself into the community. The mirror works for some fish very well (tangs, angelfish), but other fish seem to take no interest (damselfish).

"You should add the powderblue last" doesn't always work. Not all fish are available all the time; often, I've found that I add the _____ fish when it's available at the LFS.

I'm about to deploy my own mirror; the last fish added was a small powderblue, and I'm about to open the isolation box for a half-black mimic tang. Wish me luck!

~B.

 

[phillyb614]

PI leave the mirror up a few days, until the new fish has integrated itself into the community. The mirror works for some fish very well (tangs, angelfish), but other fish seem to take no interest (damselfish).

"You should add the powderblue last" doesn't always work. Not all fish are available all the time; often, I've found that I add the _____ fish when it's available at the LFS.

I'm about to deploy my own mirror; the last fish added was a small powderblue, and I'm about to open the isolation box for a half-black mimic tang. Wish me luck!

~B.

I appreciate the advice. Good luck!

It’s pretty funny because just about every fish (clowns, blenny, angel) have all been talking smack to the mirror lol.

 

[EliMelly]

It’s always worked for me with my angels and tangs.

 

[Gtinnel]

I’ve had to use it a few times on my purple tang and it has always worked well for me. One of the times I used it was when adding a one spot foxface and it was funny because the foxface was also aggressive to his reflection even though he was the new fish I was protecting.
I would leave the mirror up for a few days then remove it at a time where you are home to monitor aggression so you can put it back if needed.

 

[phillyb614]

I’ve had to use it a few times on my purple tang and it has always worked well for me. One of the times I used it was when adding a one spot foxface and it was funny because the foxface was also aggressive to his reflection even though he was the new fish I was protecting.
I would leave the mirror up for a few days then remove it at a time where you are home to monitor aggression so you can put it back if needed.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[DustinDec]

Yesterday we picked up a Foxface to put in the FOWLR tank. This is the last fish that will be added to this tank. It is also the first fish that has been added since adding our Powder Blue Tang. I know, I know, should have added the tang last.

After adding the FF the PBT was NOT happy about it! I ended up putting the FF in an isolation box to protect it and kept it in there overnight.

I did some research and discovered the technique of hanging a mirror on the tank, to get the PBT to focus on himself/another PBT instead the newly added FF. When I first heard this, I thought “There is no $@&#%*+ way that will work”. However, I didn’t have many other options.

Well, it worked like a charm!! The PBT could care less about the FF now, and has been fighting himself ever since adding the mirror. To whoever figured this out….you’re a freaking genius!

For anyone that has done this same thing with success, I do have a couple of questions.

How long did you leave the mirror up?

Was the any concern about the aggressive fish driving itself crazy or hurting itself from going after the glass nonstop? Because the PBT has NOT stopped.

I’m going through the same now. What did you use to hang up your mirror?

 

[phillyb614]

It might be overkill but I used a tape known as “preservation tape”. I’m in construction and I steal this stuff from my concrete guys whenever I need a roll. I’m sure some frog tape (painters tape) would work fine. Only left the mirror up for 3 days. Good luck!

 

[TurboTang]

The fox face should get comfortable enough in 2-3 days to begin fighting back with their spines. Tangs don't like this and usually learn to coexist quickly (partly because the FF does not really fight, more defensive posture). You can probably remove mirror after a couple days with FF, but it typically takes much longer and needs more caution if you added another tang. I agree with previous comments - 2-3 days and remove/observe. As long as FF is turning his spines towards the aggression you are probably in the clear