Green Chromis hiding

[mpinson]

I know I've seen posts on this previously, but none recently. I purchase 3 green chromis as start up fish in Feb 2014, along with 2 Clowns. They have been doing great until about a 2 weeks ago, I noticed one missing. Every once in a while, he will stick his head out, but go back hiding under a shelf rock. I've been keeping a close eye on him, thinking he's sick and going to die, but he's just hanging out under this shelf. Our nitrates are hanging out around 20, but that's actually down from 60 or 80, after weekly water changes. The other fish are doing fine.

Any ideas??

 

[CStrickland]

chromis and clowns are pretty territorial, he might be getting picked on. How big is ur tank?

 

[mpinson]

Tank is 75 gallons; I haven't noticed any picking, and like I said, I've had them since the beginning. I'm a little concerned though, because put a dwarf lion in last weekend and i'm not sure he'll ever come out now.

 

[snorvich]

The weakest chromis is being intimidated. Chromis most often reduce their number to just one.

 

[josbur63]

Tank is 75 gallons; I haven't noticed any picking, and like I said, I've had them since the beginning. I'm a little concerned though, because put a dwarf lion in last weekend and i'm not sure he'll ever come out now.

Your dwarf lion will soon be making a meal of your chromis and clowns,if he hasn't already.Thats why he is hiding.

 

[mpinson]

he was hiding prior to getting the lion; besides, they are too big for him to eat.

 

[mpinson]

He has been peeking out more today than the past few days; I did some research on their behavior, and am really wondering if there are eggs under the rock. I noticed today that when he's out of hiding, it's almost as though he is checking on something down there.

 

[ca1ore]

Anything's possible, but I'm with Steve that it's the weakest of the trio and getting picked on.

 

[snorvich]

. . . besides, they are too big for him to eat.

I would not bet on that.