Adding a new clown - lights on or off?

[CAPSLOCK]

I am finishing QTing a tiny clownfish to hopefully be a little boyfriend to my female ocellaris clown (Lucy - has been a single since I got her in 2005). The new guy is about 1/2".

Normally, I'd add new fish with the lights out. Where there's a larger potentially unfriendly clown, would I do better to add after lights out or when lights are on so I can keep an eye on their potential interactions, and be able to scoop him out should Lucy decide she doesn't want to accept him?

 

[Twheat18]

Any other fish in the tank?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Yes, tank is pretty much fully stocked (40B) - only other potential problems are a flame angel and a royal gramma though.

 

[CrypticLifeStyle]

Personally I'd keep them on just so i could watch the interaction better before feeling ok with walking away for the night.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Yeah, I ended up adding him this morning while there was plenty of ambient light in the room but before the tank lights came on. Lucy went after him for a few minutes, then settled down. She's been good with him since. He tries to follow her around.

None of the other fish paid him much mind.

I also turned off the powerheads for a few hours as he really is tiny - they are back on now and he clearly needs to get used to the current from the larger powerhead. There are enough lower flow areas though.

 

[jason401]

I would do lights on. I have read somewhere (can't remeber where) that introducing fish with lights out can be problematic due to where the fish spend their evening. If the small clown swims into another fish night hole it could get ugly.

If you notice major problems place a mirror against the glass as close to the problem as you can. For instance, larger clown bullying, try and get the mirror where the bully hangs out. Gives the little guy a chance to find refuge and get his boundaries set.

Edit: posted same time as your update. Glad to hear the little guys is doing good.