Level 1C... Adding new fish.?

Question

I am adding new fish to an already established tank. Is there anything I can do to minimize fighting and territorial bullying.

Ray.

Answer 1

it should not matter too much it mostly depends on the type of fish.

Answer 2

A good way is to re-arrange the decorations and plants so the fish have to pick out new territory, and so does the new fish, minimizes bullying.

Answer 3

I was told that the bigger the tank the less  territorial problems you will have,but if u have an aggresive fish like an  oscar make sure you are buying fish the same size or bigger than it, so that way you wont wake up in the morning finding your fish missing.

Answer 4

Ok Ray, paying attention here lol.

This honestly could vary.  If you are talking about adding schooling or peaceful community types, my advice would be, try to make sure you add in proper amounts.  If in that case it's schooling fish, try to use a nice high number.  Where 3 might be a minimum, go with like six or seven.  Make sure ahead of time that your water parameters are in line with the new additions, ie, PH, hardness, and cleared of nitrogen cycle.  This does matter because non cycled tanks are going to cause fish to exert aggression to more degree.

If you are talking about cichlids or fish that have territories and boundries, then Betta hit a solid point.  Re-arranging your decor in the tank prior to adding the new fish works WONDERS.  I've personally found, that if you time the additions when you are doing a water change, and thus would be likely to take all the decor out anyways, then this would be optimal.  With cichlids, when you are re-arranging the tank, it's mass confusion in there, so new addtions would be less likely to get targeted and gives them a chance to establish their own niche in the tank scheme.

Finally, make sure that you use proper acclimation times.  I doubt you'd just dump them in without allowing for enough temp and water chemistry acclimation.  Floating the bag and allowing the temps to equalize and adding a cup of tank water every 20 mins will help you out very much from keeping new addtions from being weakend by the shock of the new waters.  This is important to consider because the fish in your tank already will notice new fish and see they look weaker or acting odd, and will draw attention to themselves.