Someone is Being Bad.....Help?

[demariners]

So I am noticing over the last couple days my Crysyrus angelfish is missing chunks of his back fins. I think something is biting it. I just can not seem to figure out who it could be because during the day when I see them all out and about everyone seems peaceful. My snowflake eel is quite large and I am thinking it could be him. Also not many of my fish have teeth. Here are my fish. Everyone seems very healthy and eating well.

Ebli Angelfish
Halequin Tusk
Vlamingi Tang
Blue Tang
Black Triggerfish
Snowflake Eel
Zebra Eel

 

[Recty]

Every fish in that list except the Eblil is quite capable of taking hunks out of another fish fins.

ALL of those fish have teeth, btw. I've taken some close ups of my tang's mouths, they have gnarly saw blades for teeth. They arent prominent like vampire fangs but they most certainly have sharp teeth in there.

I'd want to see a picture of the hunks taken out. Are you sure they arent more like slices? Or are they actual hunks missing? The blue tang could very easily be slicing up the angel's fins.

 

[demariners]

They are chunks. I thought it may be fin rot but the fish is pretty healthy. I will try and take a picture or 2 when I am home. They look like swiss cheese.

I did not think that fish would take chunks out of other fish. Especially the peaceful tank I have other then the eel.

 

[Recty]

The fish you have listed are not considered peaceful fish. They may not be predators/pure carnivores, but that doesnt make them peaceful.

Blue tangs can be one of the most territorial fish we keep. They kill plenty of other fish in people's aquariums and they are certainly not a push over. The black triggerfish can also be quite aggressive. I wouldnt suspect the harlequin tusk was the culprit but it's possible. I'd put him pretty low down on the list.

The snowflake eel could be a culprit, but I'd suspect you'd have a missing fish, not just missing chunks.

Just because they seem nice when you're watching doesn't mean that at night everything is peaceful in your tank.

 

[demariners]

I agree. I am just not sure what I can do to avoid it. I'm thinking maybe replace the angel with a more aggressive angel? Any suggestions?

 

[Recty]

How long have you had these fish together? If they are all newly mixed (like within the last month) then you can probably just wait it out as long as the angel doesnt get into bad shape. There is a chance they will settle on a pecking order and the chunks will stop going missing.

You might also try feeding more if your filtration can handle it, and always having an algae clip stuck to the inside of the tank for the mainly the tang but also some of the others to graze on.

 

[Rapide]

You basically have a "Monsterfish tank", so it's quite expected that someone gets eaten...
Moray eel are predators, as are harlequin tusks and most triggers.

Is that "blue tang" Paracanthurus hepatus or Acanthurus coeruleus? Even the most peacefull tangs are capable of killing a smaller fish by the way.

I'd say all those fishes got teeth, and the harlequin tusk has nothing BUT teeth (tusk = elongated, continuously growing front teeth), and the black trigger (Odonus niger?) is widely known by the name "redtooth trigger". I have one also, furious predator Not to mention the moray eels...

I'd blame the morays and their nocturnal hunting trips...

 

[demariners]

I believe he is a Hepa tang. This is a well established tank and all these fish have been together for at least 2 years. Some longer. I do feed them about 3 times a week. I have auto feeders 2 times a day as well. My nitrates have always been high and I am working on something to fix that eventually. As for the algae I usually put it out about every couple days and they eat it so fast.

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[geaux xman]

your chrysurus angel has HLLE? mine had it pretty bad. i was wondering if it was me, my fish, or that these fish are just really susceptible to HLLE. i gave mine to my buddy after his tank crashed.

 

[demariners]

Well he has had it for a while..... Although it has got a lot better.... I feed him a lot of vitamins and it seems to be getting better. Not sure what else to do. He still looks like he is getting bit. Any advice?

 

[Rapide]

Wow! Really white rocks for a tank that has been up for two years!
What kind of phosphate removal you got there? Scrubber and skimmer? Or how do you keep your tank so algea free, especially when you have such a heavy poopers?

 

[demariners]

This tank has been up for about 5 years actually. I clean it weekly with water changes.

Well.....as for all your questions.....It does get a good amount of algae but like I said it is usually pretty clean. It is also a swim only 350 gallon tank with not that many fish. It is simple, a pump, filter, and U/V. I REALLY want to do a skimmer and a sump and so forth but when this tank was built the person that built it said I did not need any of it. Now after 5 years and a lot more knowledge I hope to save up some money to redo the filtration.

 

[Rapide]

Dude... The money you put on the sheer amount of salt monthly... With that money you could have built quite a haevy duty fitration station or two!
How big a water change do you do weekly?
I do ~10% in a month, but my tank is rather young. This new system was started in may when I upgraded (doubled).
In the near future I plan to do ~10-20% every 2-3 months. But not until my tank is a bit more mature...

So, you have two of the moray eels I'm eying at the momet! I wish to add one of them in to my list of fishes... I would like to get the Ribbon eel, but they are notoriously finicki feeders
Is your tank covered? I have heard horror stories of morays who greet you at the door when you come home!! I don't want that to happen... My tank has no lid.
In a week I'll get a Zebra lionfish, and the moray eel is still under consideration.

 

[demariners]

Well, I have so much salt it won't be an issue for me. I do want to change everything. I do about 5 %a week or so. Sometimes 10% if it doesn't look good.

The zebra moray is not worth it. It sits behind a rock all day and never eats. I never see it. My snowflake is about 3 and half feet long and he does really well. Seems to get along but who knows. Comes out all the time and eats well. My tank is custom built and yes it is covered and there is no way he can get out. You will need a lid without a doubt.