Will my dottyback die???

[fish clown]

I have some kind of dottyback that somehow managed to get stuck in one of my LR holes. I was gone at the indmas frag swap at the time (wich was great by the way) and when I got back its head was poking out of the hole and thats when I noticed it was stuck so it may have been stuck for at most 4 1/2hrs. When I got back it was still breathing but definently harder than usual. I managed to free it by kinda pushing its head forward because going backwards wasnt an option. Once it was free I noticed a cut the size barely smaller than a dime on its side. The cut wasnt to deep but its was a decent size. Once it was freed I was suprized to see it dash of fairly quickly but havent seen it at all since yesterday (since it was in the rock). Has anyone had experience with a simular situation or just an opinion? Its not a huge loss if it does die and is not one of my favorite fish either but I dont want it to just die like that. Any thoughts?

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I expect the fish should live as dottybacks are pretty hardy. Hopefully, the fish won't get a bacterial infection from the cut.

 

[fish clown]

Still havent seen the dottyback. Normaly it would come out every minute or so them go back into hiding but I guess all I can do is wait and see if it shows up.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

It may hide for a day or two or three to recuperate, and then start coming out to feed. Are there other fish in the tank that might beat on it while it is under the weather? Fish frequently pick on a sick tankmate so the dottyback may be hiding until it gets its strength back. Also, try putting some of its favorite foods in to see if its hunger overcomes its caution.

 

[fish clown]

Right now i have one yellow tang, three chromis and three clowns and none of them ever touch the dottyback.

 

[fish clown]

I still havnt seen the dottyback. Im starting to wonder if its dead.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Are you sure it didn't jump out of the tank?

Do you have a cleanup crew that could polish it off if it died?

I am still hoping it is just hiding, but it has been quite a long time for no sighting at feeding time.

 

[fish clown]

Are you sure it didn't jump out of the tank?

Do you have a cleanup crew that could polish it off if it died?

I am still hoping it is just hiding, but it has been quite a long time for no sighting at feeding time.

still havent seen it. I have around 20 hermits, 3 or 4 crabs, and only few snails because of the hermits. Im hoping its alive but to be honest I dont think it is.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I imagine you are right. Time will tell. Is there any place back in the rockwork that it could have become stuck again?

 

[fish clown]

I imagine you are right. Time will tell. Is there any place back in the rockwork that it could have become stuck again?

It is definently possible, it was always in the rock going through holes in the rock. Even if it became stuck again I would imagane its to late by now.

 

[joekidwell]

My purple dottyback is a hide and seek master, sometimes I can't find him, he may just be resting in a small hole till he heals some.