Questions about my first tank mates

[El Langostino]

After 5-6 weeks my tank finally finished cycling and I added 3 chromis, 4 blue leg hermit crabs, and an emerald crab.

Unfortunately one of the chromis seems to have been accosted by an aggressive blenny in the tank he was housed in at the LFS. I didn't notice until I got home but he has nipped up fins and a few damaged scales on one side. Anyway, the other two chromis are quite active and swim together while the third although he sometimes joins the school is usually a bit more reluctant to do so. Right now he is hovering just above the ground in an LR cave. I have good reason to believe he'll not make it too much longer.


bad luck purchase because in addition to this, the emerald crab has two legs missing on one side and one on the other. He doesn't seem to be too bothered by it and has actually eaten a good deal of my diatom algae.

I plan on getting another chromis free of charge due to the LFS policy on new fish, as for the emerald I'd rather not have to take him back if he will survive and regenrate those lost legs. Do Emeralds generally grow abck lost appendages? How long does it take?

 

[bertoni]

The emerald should grow back its legs in a few molts. I wouldn't worry about that. I don't remember the time frame for molts, but I think a few months should show some improvement.

 

[El Langostino]

ANother problem I'm experiencing tonight is, being that my third chromis is moribund, breathing hard and barely staying a float above the substrate...that essentially leaves only two chromis and I have noticed on several occasions in the past hour the larger of the two beginning to bully the smaller one. I need to rush back and get a new chromis to complete the triumvirate before it's too late.

 

[El Langostino]

Ok, Chromis must be invincible because even the injured lad seems perfectly fine today

Cool effect on that image. I took it with the tank lights on in a dark room using the non-scan mode and it gave it that space, deep sea effect.

 

[bertoni]

Excellent! Glad to hear the Chromis recovered. That is a nice picture.

 

[El Langostino]

Ok, Chromis must be invincible because even the injured lad seems perfectly fine today

Cool effect on that image. I took it with the tank lights on in a dark room using the non-scan mode and it gave it that space, deep sea effect.

 

[El Langostino]

sorry about that double post, I just got back home and refreshed reef central...stupid computer posted that again, my apologies.

 

[El Langostino]

Here are a couple images of the injured chromis:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/preussen1410/DSC00225.jpg

I've been infromed by a friend that after a few months or so, the damaged fins will regenerate. I hope he becomes more willing to create a small school with the other two, otherwise I will be forced to purchase another chromis.

 

[bertoni]

Yes, the fins should regenerate. The animal might become more social once healed, perhaps.