Adding Mimic Tang

[naesco]

Originally Posted by marie

Interesting, I've always found the opposite.Fish I've added settle in much better when they can see where they are going and don't blunder into another fish' bedroom.
My regal angel gets extremely upset and goes on a rampage if another fish disturbes her in her sleeping quarters

When you have aggressive fish like the powder blue tang you are pretty much guaranteed he will attack a newly added tang with the result that the other tangs will likely join in.
The newly added tang unless he is larger and even more aggressive will cower in the corner and from then he is toast. As as soon as he leaves the corner he is attacked by any fish.
By adding him in the dark he may disturb one fish's home but the other tangs have the time to adjust to the new fish and the new tang has time to find a safe home.

By keeping the lights off that time is extended.

By the reefer avoiding the tank, the new intruder, (the reefer) does not stir up the pot.

At least, that has been my experience.

[Haloreef]

Before I add a new tang I make sure the tank is very well fed for a couple of days prior to the new addition. Trying to reduce aggression due to food compitition. I also set a mirror in one corner of the tank. Once my Powder Blue has found his reflection he ignores anything else around him. I then add the new tang (to the other end of the tank). I leave the mirror up for a day and then remove it and sit back and observe the tank. If there is still a problem I repeat the process.
It has worked six times so far.
Just my two cents.