Foxface behavior

[Shooter7]

I have about a 5 - 6" Foxface and a very small scopas in a 29 gal QT tank. They are being treated with hypo due to being a) new and b) the scopas showing some white dots when I first brought it home. Both seem to be doing just fine, casually swimming around the tank, both are eating like horses. However, the Foxface is occasionally going to the surface in a very purposeful and slow manner, barely sticking his nose to the surface, and basically "biting" a little air and letting the bubbles exit through his gills. I was a bit concerned that he's not getting enough oxygen in there, but there are times he goes a long time without doing this behavior and seems totally fine. The scopas isn't doing it at all. Just wondering if anyone knows of this or has experienced this or can say if there is a problem somehow? Thanks for any input.

 

[JENnKerry]

I don't have an answer but I would like to know as well. My foxface does the same thing sometimes.

 

[cstamper65605]

mine does this too and I'd say if they are not in ill health, it's normal for them. Odd, but normal.

 

[JENnKerry]

I know mine is really healthy. He just seems to do that from time to time. Strange that he's the only one that does do it though.

 

[marrone]

It's very common for foxface/rabbit fish to do this. I have 3 large ones for years and this is some thing that each does from time to time. They never do it under a return flow but usually in an area where the water is calm. They're funny fish and are very skiddish so from time to time mine will actually do this is a corner of the tank and almost hide there from the other fish and then all of a sudden start swimming with the other fish. I always get worried when I see one hiding in the corner near the top of the tank as because I have a lot of fish I'm always think that one maybe hurt or being attacked by the other fish.

 

[Shooter7]

hmmmm...ok, thanks for the replies. Guess I won't worry about him then. He's got healthy color, swims fine, eats a ton, so I guess I'll let him just be as he is.

 

[marrone]

Dave

Just watch out for the spines as they're poisonous and if you get stung it really hurts. This can happen in a QT tank specially when your ready to move the fish

Michael

 

[Shooter7]

Yeah, I knew about the spines and have heard a few stories of people who had been the recipient of the stings. He scared the crud out of me the other day because he flipped out while I was putting some nori in his tank, flew up to the surface right by my face and came partially out of the water. All I could think of was those spines heading for my face! :eek2: