Check adult requirements
Record the baseline and check visual boundaries and refuge count. Do not infer the aquarium's condition from a single sign. Confirm scientific identity, adult size, diet, social behaviour and swimming zone.
Then compare waste, digging and an accessible prefilter with livestock needs and recent changes. Look for genuine overlap in water, flow, territory and feeding throughout the year.
Assess compatibility and welfare
Adjust one variable and assess circulation that retains calmer territorial areas before continuing. Keep a reference so the result can be compared. Plan the complete group and monitor feeding, breathing, injury, shelter and space use.
Extra filtration cannot fix a layout that forces rivals into constant view.