Help/Thoughts re a Tail Spot Blenny

[Hitch08]

My Tail Spot Blenny has jumped out of the main tank twice recently and I'm trying to figure out why. The jumping started about 3 weeks ago.

I have a 120g tank with a single corner overflow. It's a herbie. As usual, the main drain standpipe has a strainer on it and the emergency drain standpipe is open on the top, with a trickle of water flowing into it. Both times the Tail Spot got into the corner overflow and then managed to go down the emergency drain standpipe into the filter sock.

I've had him since early April. Never had any issues with him jumping. A couple of months ago, I bought a Tribal Blenny. I've seen the two of them turn their sides towards each other -- seemingly showing their size. I saw it a few times. However, I've not seen anything more than that, no nipping, etc.

My only other theory is my alk. The last time that he jumped out, I realized that it was at 6.6 dKH. Not sure if my testing was off, but my tank seems to be dropping dKH quicker than I thought. Anyway, could it be the low alk that is freaking out the blenny?

Any thoughts/comments are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Sk8r]

Set your magnesium at 1350. That will stop the alk falling that way. 8.3 is a good reading.

Low alk can promote fish fights, the way happens with humans when everybody is feeling grouchy.

 

[Hitch08]

I left the little guy in my refuge for a couple of days. My mag was down around 1,200. I bumped it up, a bit further than intended. It's now at 1380/1390. Also, I bumped up the Alk. It's now around 8.4.

I put the tail spot back into the main tank last night and the Tribal Blenny immediately went after him. It only lasted 3-4 seconds, but the Tail Spot ended up in the front corner of the tank - right at the water line. The lights were in the process of going down, so I left him in the main tank and withe the hope that things calmed down. I'll check on him tonight when I get home from work.

 

[mandarin_goby]

I wonder if doing a rescape would reset the territories? Maybe confuse the tribal blenny a bit and distract him from chasing the tail spot. You could put the tribal in a separate tank if possible, do a rescape, let the tailspot get situated 1st, then add the tribal.

 

[Hitch08]

I looked all over the tank - and underneath it - for the tail spot. Can't find him. Hopefully he's hiding. I really doubt he got out of the tank. There are a couple open spots, but not much open space to actually get out of the tank.