I got a copperband yesterday from the LFS. I was very concerned about how my scopas tang would react to the newcomer and made this clear to the LFS, who said that he gets along with his current tankmates, and if the scopas hasn't been too aggressive it should be ok, but it really depends on the individual fish and he can't guarantee anything. To his credit, I could have bought any fish so he wasn't trying to "sell" me on something.
A few weeks back I had an issue when I brought a small pygmy angel home and my coral beauty chased him all over until I took him out and traded him back.
When I acclimated the copperband the scopas would chase him away, but wouldn't pursue like the coral beauty would with the pygmy. Once in a while he would follow him to make sure he didn't come back. After some debate, I felt that the copperband was a little smarter and knew how far he could push the scopas. I was also encouraged that the copperband has been picking at the live rock and has been eating brine and mysis shrimp. The LFS said a problem at first is to get the fish to eat.
Today I've been watching them. Scopy has been making half-hearted threatening gestures towards the copperband, but nothing like yesterday. He just makes a move, the copperband moves away, and that's it. I'm hoping that the scopas has made his point and is starting to just get used to him.
What do you guys think? Is this a timebomb or will the copperband know to not antagonize the scopas and respect his authority as tank master? Given the choice, I'd pull Scopy out and trade him in - even with the 1/3 payback the LFS offers. The copperband is a much prettier fish and the scopas doesn't eat any algae, which he is supposed to do.
A few weeks back I had an issue when I brought a small pygmy angel home and my coral beauty chased him all over until I took him out and traded him back.
When I acclimated the copperband the scopas would chase him away, but wouldn't pursue like the coral beauty would with the pygmy. Once in a while he would follow him to make sure he didn't come back. After some debate, I felt that the copperband was a little smarter and knew how far he could push the scopas. I was also encouraged that the copperband has been picking at the live rock and has been eating brine and mysis shrimp. The LFS said a problem at first is to get the fish to eat.
Today I've been watching them. Scopy has been making half-hearted threatening gestures towards the copperband, but nothing like yesterday. He just makes a move, the copperband moves away, and that's it. I'm hoping that the scopas has made his point and is starting to just get used to him.
What do you guys think? Is this a timebomb or will the copperband know to not antagonize the scopas and respect his authority as tank master? Given the choice, I'd pull Scopy out and trade him in - even with the 1/3 payback the LFS offers. The copperband is a much prettier fish and the scopas doesn't eat any algae, which he is supposed to do.