Fish Fighting

[marquesalan]

I had a fish die and the order of my least aggressive to most got switch around. I currently have one maroon clown, one bird wrasse, one yellow tang and one velvet damsel. I just added a coral beauty and all the fish except the clown are chasing her around the tank. Should I move their rocks around immediately or should I give it a couple of days. I moved the rocks before adding the coral beauty and even fed the fish. I took precautions but it seems to be chaotic in the tank right now.

[steve1s]

How big is your tank?

Cheers
Steve

[marquesalan]

72 gallon

[steve1s]

There is usually alot of adjustment after adding new animals. Moving rock around does not always work. What I will do that does work most times is shut off all the lights after a new animal is added. If there is too much ambient light I will also cover the tank with a dark sheet to darken it further. Try not to cover area's that will block/slow air flow.

You have some very territorial fish. Having many caves and separate area's created with the rock may help but are not guaranteed. If the aggression does not subside after a day or two, you should consider removing the beauty. The wrasse should also be reconsidered. Bird wrasses are one of the most active of the species and will not fair well in a tank that size for long.

As you have said, the pecking order has changed. All you can do is wait it out and possibly rethink the animal combination you have now.

Cheers
Steve