Can Fish Get "Divorced"?

[CStrickland]

Ever since I moved into a bigger tank my firefish act differently. They used to sleep snugged up in the same cave at night and stay close to each other all day. There was never any aggression. I also added a kole tang, he's not aggressive so much as bossy, but maybe that scared them apart. Idk how old they are, they're about the same size as when I bought them last year. So idk if it's a maturity thing.

One firefish is looking pretty tore up in the tail, and spending a lot of time just floating in the back corner at the surface. When he does come down the other firefish won't let him in any caves or anything. He's looking a little skinny too, but his fins aren't clamped and his breathing seems ok.

Idk if I should intervene

 

[davehead86]

Sounds like he is being bullied. I would QT him to get his fins back and then having no competition for food.

 

[Sk8r]

Not uncommon for firefish. You need to heal him up in the sump and then trade him in. The configuration/territory just isn't enough for 2...they grew up, apparently.

 

[Reef Frog]

I had a similar event. Two seemingly perfectly paired & adjusted purple firefish. They were the dominant fish in my tank, always out front & confident.

Then I added a royal gramma who became a "soft bully." It never touched another fish but would dart at them or do the flaired gill trick, sending them back into the rock. Even though I could get food to them back there, they both eventually just vanished. In retrospect, I realize I should have seperared them.

Since one of your fish is injured, the other may realize instinctively to stay away or decouple from an animal that may attract a predator. I would get it out if you can as I doubt they'll pair up again.

 

[gone fishin]

Not uncommon for firefish. You need to heal him up in the sump and then trade him in. The configuration/territory just isn't enough for 2...they grew up, apparently.

I agree, it does happen.

 

[CStrickland]

Not uncommon for firefish. You need to heal him up in the sump and then trade him in. The configuration/territory just isn't enough for 2...they grew up, apparently.

Will do. Thanks.
Good to see you around btw, I was just thinking yesterday that I hadn't seen a post from you in a while. Was hoping everything was alright

@frog - good info. I like the predator bait theory a lot, would have never thought of that but it makes lots of sense

 

[Sk8r]

Yes, I was afk, out on the road for 2 weeks---long driving trip, and a few days laid up with convention crud. Happy trip, though, from the PNW to Chicago and back.

The tanks fared fine: I've got the freshwater on 2 Penguins with intakes way down in the tank, which meant I could leave it on autofeed with no topoff; and the marine tank has an ATO and autofeeder: the big dascyllus damsels had rather have mysis, but they live just fine on flake for a couple of weeks. Koi in a largish pond forage quite nicely, but I had a neighbor tossing in kibble. Thanks for asking.

 

[CStrickland]

:thumbsup:

 

[gone fishin]

Yes, I was afk, out on the road for 2 weeks---long driving trip, and a few days laid up with convention crud. Happy trip, though, from the PNW to Chicago and back.

The tanks fared fine: I've got the freshwater on 2 Penguins with intakes way down in the tank, which meant I could leave it on autofeed with no topoff; and the marine tank has an ATO and autofeeder: the big dascyllus damsels had rather have mysis, but they live just fine on flake for a couple of weeks. Koi in a largish pond forage quite nicely, but I had a neighbor tossing in kibble. Thanks for asking.

Did you get your Award:thumbsup: Glad to hear the tanks are doing better for you.