Compatability Question

[ralphie16]

I have a 220 gallon tank where a Regal Angel and a Potters Angel reside. The regal is 5.5" the potters is 2.5". The potters has been constantly following the regal around for quite a long time, in an apparently friendly manner. Only other livestock in the tank is a black mollie, which will eventually be moved to the sump.

So now I need to decide how to divide up the rest of my existing fish between this 220 and my 125 tank.

The 125 tank now houses a 5" moorish idol, a 5" panda puffer, and a 4" teardrop butterfly. In a QT I have a porcupine puffer that has attacked the panda puffer in the past so is now by himself in the 29 until I figure things out. The panda puffer acts like a big baby, definately does not like any sort of aggression, he has been picked on in the past by a baby picasso trigger and then real bad by the porcupine puffer. He is very passive and gets along great with my butterfly.

So here is what I was thinking. I want to put the Moorish Idol into the 220 with the Regal and Potters, and then in another 2 months or so put the panda puffer in there too amd this would be the final and only residents of the tank. I would keep the butterfly in the 125 and move the porcupine puffer back to the 125 because I think the Porcupine puffer might try to eat the potter's angel or even scare the angels because he is a very aggressive eater and I dont need anything spooking my two delicate regal and potter's angels into not eating. Or do you think it is a better idea to put the porcupine puffer in the 220 and keep the panda in the 125? They both get the same size right? 12" is what most published sources say for them. So which fish should go where for optimal compatability? Thank you so much for any advice!

[leebca]

I favor your first proposal -- Panda to the 220 with the MO, RA, and PA.

[ralphie16]

Thats what I was leaning towards too! I read your acclimation stickie Lee but still had a question as to how to transfer the fish with the least stress when switching from tank to tank. I was thinking of doing water changes over the next few weeks/months by using 50% new water and 50% water from the 220 when doing changes for the 125 so the water chemistries begin to slowly match, instead of the standard catch the fish, put in bucket, and acclimate the standard way over the course of an hour or two. This way I can just catch the fish and put him in the new tank (of course checking salinity, ph and temp to match first). What do you think?

Also, will that porcupine puffer be ok for his entire life in the 125 with the butterfly? Can I add any more fish to this 125 tank after the puffer and BF or is that too much load with a "future" 12" puffer and 8" butterfly?

[leebca]

I think your idea of blending the two tanks is good. Once you have them blended or nearly blended, ideally you would connect the two a few days before making the transfer, thereby assuring they are the same.

I was afraid you might bring up that subject. I was just going to let it go by. The Porcupine in the 125 is not a good idea for much after it gets over 8" long. The Butterfly is 'thin' and doesn't have large bioload impact, but that is the opposite with the Porcupine. The Porcupine will fall into the category of predatory carnivore very stocky fish and as such, the marine system needs to be about 7 gallons for every inch of fish. Still, that fish at 8" will need some swimming space, too. I'd prefer to give it an 8 foot long tank of anything above 125 gallons that is at least 16 inches front to back measurement.

If you keep the Porcupine healthy, well nourished and cared for (which I sense you will do quite well) then you expect the fish to get quite large -- larger than those found in the wild. (I'd say 16 inches would be easily possible).