Mirror trick when adding new fish - assuming you don't drop it

Chin_Lee · #1 12-09-2007, 05:42 AM

I have to say that mirror trick works like a charm.

I've been keeping some angels in my sump for the past 3-4 months waiting for the right time to introduce them into the 300g sps tank. The aggressors in the 300g are:
a BIG 6"+ sailfin,
large 5" Powder Blue
4" yellow tang
4" purple tang

This evening I added:
a 6" Majestic angel
5.5" emperor angel
4" regal angel
3" goldflake angel
2" flame angel

At first the tangs went crazy and surrounded the angels into a rockwork. To divert their aggression, I put a big mirror in one corner and the tangs went crazy at their reflection.

Then the mirror fell and I had glass all over the ground.

#@&% me

I put up another mirror (with more support) and the tangs have been so distracted by their own image that the angels all came out and explored their new home.
2 hours later, the angels are attacking their own images alongside the tangs. Now they are all swimming around like best friends! Frankly i think the tangs are too tired from bashing the glass.

Snappy · #2 12-09-2007, 05:45 AM

That is a cool idea, thanks for sharing.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #3 12-09-2007, 08:30 AM

Good idea. I've done it in the past & it worked. I'll have to remember to do that when I add a 6" Purple tang next week to the 210g mixed reef. Hopefully it'll work with my established tangs.

Anthony

calkrog · #4 12-09-2007, 03:10 PM

i wish i'd done that two days ago.. just added a coral beauty and my one tang has been one mean sob so far. poor coral beauty is pretty beat up but things seem to be settled down now.

i have crabs · #5 12-09-2007, 03:23 PM

what are the chances of 2 yellow tangs getting added? i tried yesterday and now 1 is in the qt but i cant see the mirror working if the other fish looks the same after the mirror is gone

Chin_Lee · #6 12-09-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snappy

That is a cool idea, thanks for sharing.

I can't take credit for this idea - i read it elsewhere and used it. Unfortunately I do not know the orginator of this idea

Quote:

Originally Posted by i have crabs

what are the chances of 2 yellow tangs getting added? i tried yesterday and now 1 is in the qt but i cant see the mirror working if the other fish looks the same after the mirror is gone

The mirror idea might work from a different perspective. Put a mirror in front of the aggressor for a few days before adding the new tang. This will tire out the aggressor and he will be led to believe that the new addition is "as aggressive and as relentless" as himself. He may eventually give in to "the other tang" with equal status but if not, at least he will be very tired. Then hopefully when you add the new tang, the aggressor will think the new tang is the one in the mirror but keep the mirror on the tank just in case. If the new addition submits to the aggressor, the aggressor may be satisfied with his dominant status but may still try to gain dominant status with his mirror image diverting his aggression away from the new addition.
Place the mirror on the upper part of the tank away from the rocks and the idea is the new additions will stay lower in the tank where the rocks are located for protection. The original habitants will be more likely to come out of the rocks and into the open (upper part) of the tank to see the mirror. Good luck