Dozey

I was speaking to a long time fish keeper tonight that suggested this to me. When introducing a new fish to an aquarium change the décor ever so slightly. Add a rock, move a plant, introduce anything new.

He suggested that by doing so all the fish in the tank would be distracted by the change of environment and while taking in the new environment will also notice the new tank mate. His opinion is that aggression in the tank is interrupted long enough for the fish to re-establish territory and pecking order while adjusting to the new fish mate.

It sounded like an interesting enough theory to me to share with you. So I’ve shared the theory, what do you think about it?

URFisher35

whenever I add fish I always do it! especially since my 29 currently holds a Rainbow Shark, which is extremely territorial to his caves, and my serpae that is semi territorial to his crypt. i have one plastic plant among the two live ones that i move along with some rocks just to disrupt the territories of the aggressive ones just enough to let the new guys get situated. now they all live happy!

MrsM3197

Interesting theory...unfortunately most of my tanks are stocked to maximus+ at the moment and I can't add anybody anywhere to test it for quite a while. Hoping Daddy Santa will feed my need for much more bigger tank!!!

fishlover78

hmm, that sounds like a good idea!

Lucy

I agree Dozey. Rearranging the tank can also help if there's conflicts with your existing fish also.