introducing fish to a reef tank

[pimp]

im new to this site usually i kept 75 gallon reef with damsels and a tang . now i just started a 150 gallon . what should be introduced first . i currently have a copperband in their first . i have a yellow tang co existing with sailfing tang and a marron clown . i would like to add those and some pyramid buterflies and some anthias and add two more yellow tangs and a powder blue . what order should they follow ? thanks in advance .

[ca1ore]

What I do:

1. Buy fish
2. Observe fish in 'intro tank' for two weeks to get feeding
3. If disease symptoms, move to hospital tank for 12 week treatment and subsequent observation
4. If no disease symptoms, continue to observe in 'intro tank' for a further 6 weeks
5. Upon conclusion of QT process, move fish into display in an acclimation box and observe interactions; depending upon levels of aggression, keep fish in acclimation box for as much as a week (though usually less)
6. Free fish after lights out.

[Allmost]

add the tangs together. if not they will become territorial. thats ALOT of tangs for a 150 though !

"6. Free fish after lights out. "
this is the most important Step IMHO ... let all fish sleep, then release.

[nanomarine]

I had tried all 6 steps when I introduced my blue throat into the tank with a purple tang that's been there the longest. The purple tang still beats up the blue throat shortly after release. I thought I was going to loose the trigger because of the aggression like before.

Well, I remembered someone from this forum had suggested to use a mirror to distract the bully. Did that and it worked! His attention turns to the reflection and left the trigger alone. Very happy that I can keep a blue throat with the purple tang finally.

Place the mirror on the side where there's more room for the fish to attack the reflection without hitting any rockwork.

[ilikefish34]

I've never openly welcomed a pimp... but welcome to the forums!

I'm glad you already have the Copperband in there. After that, I agree to put the tangs in there at the same time, or the smaller one first. I would add the most aggressive, Powder Blue, last and would use Ca1ore's advice on introduction (except I like to QT regardless since they are so prone to ich). I'm not one to mix several Yellows together in 150 (assuming 72x18" footprint) and they will still have a pecking order that could lead to issues but you may want to wait on others with experience of having 3 together. Rather, I like to mix the tangs that come from different genus. You could throw a Kole or Tomini. I've never had the Pyramid but would, as long as it works with the CPB and your corals, I would add it sooner than later. The Maroon is personal choice. They can be quite territorial and do get large. It is a fish that typically goes in early because they are so hardy but are probably better suited for going in later and it may not allow the Anthias too close. Now would be the time to decide between keeping the Maroon or swapping it out for some Percs. The Anthias is a tougher one. If you are going with a more peaceful species like the Lyre-tail, then I would add those early to make sure that they're getting enough food (probably 3-4 times a day). If you are going with Bartlett's, which can be snippy, you may want to add them towards the end but before the Powder Blue.

Since you are new here, take a good look through the tank forums to get ideas and ask as many questions as you have. Try to post them in the most appropriate forum to get the best and most responses. But take your time because nothing good happens fast in saltwater!

Hope this helps and good luck
Mike

[ca1ore]

I would add the most aggressive, Powder Blue, last and would use Ca1ore's advice on introduction (except I like to QT regardless since they are so prone to ich).

Assume you mean to prophylactically treat the Tang even without symptoms? Although I don't do that as a rule, you are probably right that for the 'ich magnets' it is worth doing!

[ilikefish34]

Assume you mean to prophylactically treat the Tang even without symptoms? Although I don't do that as a rule, you are probably right that for the 'ich magnets' it is worth doing!

Yes, prophylactically and yes because of its ich magnetism. I do like your method of QT and plan on following those same guidelines... if I can talk my wife into setting up an observation tank (this is where i would insert a "wishful thinking" emoticon if i had it).