Taking the bite out of aggresive fish.

Demogarr · 08-24-2001, 08:05 PM

I have a purple tang and a maroon clown in my 75 gallon reef. I have had a lionfish and a zebra lionfish before( both died of an unknown parasite within one year) I have a uv unit now to stave off parasites. My question:I am about to add a fuzzy dwarf to the tank. I know when it gets big enough that the coral banded shrimp is likely toast,but how do I keep the purple tang and maroon from giving the little guy so much grief. A long time ago when all I had was a domino damsel, I added a zebra dwarf lion and when the domino tried his little aggresive routine, the lion just flared his spines and really did not care one bit. The purple tang and maroon clown are bigger than that old damsel was, and they team up. I moved them both to another tank one time and they both tag teamed the damsel to death. When I add the fuzzy dwarf will her spines protect her or is she going to get abused. She is smaller than the tang and the maroon. There are plenty of hiding spots, but this tang takes no crap, he constantly tail swipes my hand when I have to get in the tank for some reason or other. Any tips? I sold my other tanks except for a ten gallon caulerpa tank, so relocating them for a week or two may be out of the question. Rearanging the tank may help, but even after I totally re aquascaped, the tang was still a hand attacking fireball. Any advice is appreciated. I am hoping that a couple of stings will teach him a lesson. That is another question, will a lionfish sting kill my other fish?? Also any good tips on keeping fuzzy dwarfs would be appreciated. Over the year or so of keeping the other lionfish I had, I got pretty good at weaning them on to frozen food, but what would be a good variety of diets for them.
Sorry so long. Thanks in advance.

[ 08-24-2001: Message edited by: Demogarr ]

wagnutz69 · 08-24-2001, 08:40 PM

I myself would not add him to that setup. The Purple in that size tank alone is enough to get me worried, add in the maroon clown and you're gonna have a war!!!! That's a small tank for the purple alone and once you add another fish in there you'll be pushing it. Just my thought on the matter.

WAGZ

Demogarr · 08-24-2001, 09:18 PM

Is that the general consensus, not enough space? I thought a 75 would be big enough, but I could be wrong ( would not be the first time) With the tang and clown I have not seen any problems in a year.

wagnutz69 · 08-24-2001, 09:23 PM

Hey, don't be taking advise from me, I just like the sound of my own voice, or in this case, the looks of my own typing..... I had a 55 at one point with 2 triggers, Snowflake eel, small yellow tang, and a clown....I myself thought hey, plenty of room, but based it on the freshwater idea of 1"/Gallon. NOthing ever died (until the "accident"), but the nitrates were outta control half the time, and nothing grew much except the eel. I'd deifntely wait 2 see what anybody else says, I certainly am no expert!!!

WAGZ

Demogarr · 08-24-2001, 09:33 PM

Yeah, I have bounded around the too many fish isue many times, and have not gotten a good answer, I heard one time that you should have one inch for every 5 gallons of water, but I do not know from experience. I think the type of fish, set-up, and tankmates has just as much impact as not enough space. I do not want to cause undue stress to my animals, getting started in this hobby I killed my share of unfortunate animals, and have learned to look before I leap. Thanks for responding.

Alice · 08-26-2001, 02:55 AM

I don't know enough about the effects of lionfish venom on fish the size of your tang and clown to be able to comment. It would be a shame to see any of them come to harm though when all of them are just behaving in their normal fashion.

Purple tangs have a reputation of being pugnacious and it sounds like yours has the 'tude. I think I'd be wary of adding any fish in there. Lions really aren't aggressive fish, the spines are mostly for defense. If you do decide to get one, I think I'd try to get one who is already accepting "dead" foods, if he's uncomfortable in the tank, he may be really slow to make the switch. I've never had problems getting lions to eat at the shop. A big krill on a feeding probe, bounced around to look live usually gets their attention after the first few tries.

I'd talk with the shop owner where you plan to purchase the lion and make sure he will accept it back if your tang and clown just won't let him be. Be careful, if the lion is feeling threatened, he may just get you by accident when you are trying to net him back out

~Alice

Brooke · 08-26-2001, 11:01 AM

I agree with Wagz that adding a lion may put too much load on your tank. You might get away with adding another small fish, but you better get a mean one, like a dottyback or damsel that can hold his own against those bullies. Inches per gallon really doesn't tell you anything about bioload. How much does the fish eat, what kind of food do they eat, how much waste do they produce..these tell you more about bioload, IMO.

Brooke

MontanaRocknReefer · 08-27-2001, 01:22 AM

Hi there!! Adding certain size fish to a certain size tank is a hard call as far as space, compatability and stress factor with your fish.
I know most hobbyist recommend at least a 75 gallon tank for a tang. Tangs do get large and they do require alot of swim space and I for one have broken the rules of how many fish in a tank and it cost me big time.
In my present 80 gallon reef tank, I have a bonded pair of maroon clownfish, a sharpnosed puffer, a banggai cardinal fish and a snowflake eel. I'm afraid my bio-load is complete as far as fish go.
I look in my tank right now and it looks like there is nothing in the tank as far as fish but they are in the reef and venture out every now and then and sometimes I want more fish for viewing but have learned the hard way and am happy with my set-up. I know my fish are not stressed and seem healthy and happy and that is good enough for me.
I just wanted to give you an example as far as my tank goes and maybe it will help in your decision on your fish load. Johnny