Fish nipping

[jrp1588]

I've got a 3" derasa. It's been doing really well lately, showing good growth and mantle extension, but over the past week, I've caught my flame angel picking at it. It's not very often that he does it, maybe once every few hours, and there's never any damage, but the clam will no longer extend its mantle, and I'm afraid it's going to die if this continues. Is there any trick to discouraging this behavior, or does one of them have to go?

 

[rt67ghy]

It's better to remove one of them; you won't be able to discourage the fish.

 

[jrp1588]

That's kind of what I figured. I've got the clam in the sump currently with an LED spotlight over him hoping he'll improve enough so I can sell him.

 

[carrots]

I have used those vented plastic berry containers from the market and enclose the clam in it. This way he is in the same lighting as he is used to. Works well if the sump lighting isn't strong enough to keep it happy.

 

[jrp1588]

I have a spare LED grow light and currently have him in the sump. He's not looking 100% yet, but he's definitely looking a lot better. I'm probably just going to get him back to full health then sell him.