Angelfish Fight ~ Should I Intervene?

[Linda Lee]

We have two established angelfish that have been housed in separate systems for some time: a larg potters angel in a 90g and a medium queen angel in a 125g. We're combining the two systems into a 180g.

Today we added both angel to the 100g stock tank that is housing all of our livestock in preparation for moving into the 180g next week. We figured the holding tank would be *neutral ground* for the two angels to get acquainted.

The potters immediately began harassing the queen.

Is this a natural course of events that must occurt while pecking order is established? Will the two angelfish eventually work it out? Or will the queen eventually get harassed to the death?

We love both fish and don't want to see harm come to either of them. They're both quite personable, healthy, gorgeous speciments.

I've turned the lights out and will check again in the morning. Any advice would be welcome.

Here's Colonel Potter. I don't have a picture of our queen handly.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/356/356865/folders/273164/2392155001.JPG

[CeeGee]

wow I would have thought the aggression would have went the other direction. I would keep a close eye on them.

How is that yellow tang? It looks skinny.

[Linda Lee]

Yes, I would have thought that the queen would have been the more aggressive also, but the potters was definitely the *big boss* of his 90g domain.

Moot point now as to whether or not the angels will get along. The queen is going to find a new home, since the 90g is full of corals.

That tang is actually quite small, but is really quite fat. He just took a bad picture at a bad angle above.

Here he is from the side. Great little fish -- kept the 90g completely free of hair algae.
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/376/376875/folders/286960/2393153Tang.JPG

[REEF-n-Chicago]

I ahve heard to keep the lights oof (complete darkness) for a day.... worked w/ my tangs.

I'm sure others will chime in but try this for sure!

Good luck....

[sunfish11]

It is impossible to predict if they will stop fighting. It may or may not stop. It is possible to have them together, but it depends on the individuals. I would let it go a day or so and see if it eases up.

Lisa