Fire fish has a red mark (bruise)

[reefgoddess808]

I just noticed my fire fish has a red mark on its abdomen towards the tail just past the bulge of it tummy. I have an emerald crab that lives in the same area of the tank. Is it possible it got pinched? She seems to be swimming around ok, Ill see if she eats when I do the night feed. If she did get pinched, would it be life threatening or what?
Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[HumbleFish]

Very possible, esp if the crab is large. All crabs are predatory in nature and opportunistic feeders. That's not to say that your emerald crab won't do a good job eating bubble algae (which is why most people want them); but if it happens upon a sleeping firefish in the middle of the night, it sees that as food too.

Now, if I were your emerald crab's defense attorney, I would point out that firefish retreat quickly into little holes. Most of the time it goes smoothly; but sometimes clumsy firefish will accidentally brush up against a rock in their haste.

 

[reefgoddess808]

Thank you! Shes had other smaller marks before which I assumed were from the rocks, so its possible for sure. This one just seemed worse I guess. But shes swimming and eating so I m guessing shes fine.

 

[humaguy]

toss up a pic, please...

 

[reefgoddess808]

It was gone before I could get a pic so it couldn't have been too bad. Eating and acting normal.