Small disaster

[cschweitzer]

So I came home from work yesterday and checked out all my tanks. When I went to feed my 30, I noticed the female dragonette (you might remember my thread from a couple weeks ago about a dragonette pair) was torn up. All of her fins were nipped really bad. I don't know what did it, but I think the male turned on her, maybe also accompanied by the 6-line, but the male has no marks or fin tears. Needless to say, I moved her to a less aggressive setting with more room. She is now in my 55 and the male is still in his 30. I know, I know a 30 G cannot support their feeding habits which is why I supplement with oceanpods, and I throw in chaeto filled with pods for them and the chaeto gets eaten by my limpet. I hope she is feeling better and comes back. They were so calm together for the first few weeks, I think he just got an attitude. When I get my big tank up, I will put them back together. I just hope there was no irreparable damage and I hope that she's not too stressed. Just needed to vent a little. They were so cute together... .

 

[Pacific Reefs]

Sorry to hear that. It is always a bad feeling to come home and see something like that...makes you feel helpless. BTW my 6-line wrasse was a mean little booger. Let us know how it goes.

 

[cschweitzer]

She was doing fine last night in my 55, so hopefully she'll come right back. I don't know if it was my 6-line, because he doesn't mess with the male and I would think this more likely to occur when they are put in and the 6-line wants dominance, not a few weeks later when things are going along fine. I think the male might have wigged out on her. Either way, she will not see either of them until the 180 is set up. All I can do now is hope that she likes her new home.

 

[dmbedard]

Glad you caught her Chris, and got her out when you did. They'll be happier in more space... all fish are...

 

[keithntracy]

bummer man, hope everything turns out for the good!

if you need help setting up that giant tank don't hesitate to give us a call!!!

keith and tracy

 

[jay24k]

I've read that is it common for pairs to fight. I have a pair in mine and they swim together mainly at night and do their own thing during the day. I'd let the little guy heal up like you are doing for a couple weeks and try it again. You might have to trade out the male. Males are the easiest to find in the store imo.

 

[cschweitzer]

I have enough tanks to where it is not an issue right now. I couldn't find her yesterday, but it is a bigger tank with a lot of hiding places. And after getting beat up, nobody wants to be in the open trying to be tough. I'll give her the space she needs for a while. I really hope she's okay. Yeah, they were really cool together, then started doing their own thing, then he started nipping really bad in the matter of a day or two. I wish I snapped a picture, it was pretty brutal what he did in no time...

 

[cschweitzer]

Thanks K&T, I might do that, but I need to rebuild the frame of the stand first. once I get that, I might need a hand setting some stuff up...we'll see what happens, but it probably won't be for a while anyways.

 

[keithntracy]

 

[waterfaller1]

I'm sorry you are having problems with your pair. Sometimes it happens..I had a great little female red scooter that I loved. I was insistent on having a cool male to go with her. When I finally did, he was so amorous he beat the daylights out of her. She did'nt make it. Then I started calling him "killer"..and finally gave hime to Jason. My male mandarin does chase my female, and sometimes she has a nip but it has'nt been life-threatening. I hope she makes it through ok Craig.

 

[Aquaman]

My first guess would be the small size of the tank, pair or no pair if food supply is limited survival of the fittest is the rule in nature.