Having Fishues

[ThatsDeep!]

Tank and H2O parameters are good, pods thriving, fuge working...no probs. So, our six line starts acting weird -- jerky motions, swimming in circles and just not his usual fun-to-watch swimming self. Then one a.m. the tank looks chaotic - temp gauge line moved around, polyps torn up in that area like there has been a cage fight. No wrasse to be found. We figure he is dead after missing meal time a couple of times. Look for him but no luck in a tank full of live rock. Look all over the floor just in case, even though we have ballast on top of tank. Watch the skimmer to see if there is major bubbling. Do some water changes and anticipate more [though he is small]. No other concerns.

Four days later, we are discussing getting another six line ....and poof! Out he comes from behind a rock like nothing happened. Looks healthy, but is being quite territorial around my pod condo. Does not look underfed...

Has anyone had this kind of thing happen before? I keep thinking it seems like the behavior a fish would have if it went and laid eggs or something. Our other fish are quite wimpy: small hawkfish, tail spot blenny, mandarin, target and twin spot gobies, pygmy hawk.

Just wondering what others thoughts are on this behavior.

Appreciate it.
Jody

 

[Vdubjetta01]

I don't really have an answer to what's going on with your wrasse first thing that came to my mind is maybe he is flashing, but it takes two to tango so eggs I don't think are very likely. However wrasses do like to hide and bury them selves in sand when frightened enough and they might stay there until they feel comfortable again. My yellow corris did that for the first couple of days until he acclimated to my tank but I am no expert on any wrasse.

 

[zombie]

Short power outage maybe. Ive had a flasher hide for 2 days when the power went out for 1 min and then turned everything back on all at once.

 

[ThatsDeep!]

I don't really have an answer to what's going on with your wrasse first thing that came to my mind is maybe he is flashing, but it takes two to tango so eggs I don't think are very likely. However wrasses do like to hide and bury them selves in sand when frightened enough and they might stay there until they feel comfortable again. My yellow corris did that for the first couple of days until he acclimated to my tank but I am no expert on any wrasse.

Ha! Good point, we only have one Wrasse. Our Wrasse has been in the tank for several months, but that is what I get for thinking that something odd won't always come up in this hobby. Thanks for replying!

Jody

 

[zombie]

How big is the tank? I just reread your stock list, and there is a ginormous chance there is competition for food. Every single fish you listed except for the blenny is primarily a pod or crustacean eater, so unless your tank is several years old and >200 gallons, I really doubt there is enough pods to make them all happy. The six line is probably getting territorial because the pod condo is the only place with a reasonable stream of live food.

Another possibility is agression from the blenny. They dont look it, but blennys can be just as mean as damsels.

 

[jahmic]

Wrasses seem erratic by nature. I have 3 in my tank, and they leave each other alone but will often flash at their reflection, swim in circles, flash off the sand/rocks, and dart across the tank for no apparent reason.

6 lines tend to be territorial. He's found a consistent food source and will probably continue to protect it. As for the hiding and the signs of a battle in the tank...if nobody is injured I wouldn't worry yet. Keep an eye on his behavior....but something could have just spooked him if he hid that long.

If I had to guess...I'd say your 6line got territorial and another one of your fish decided to check him. My money would be on a hawkfish, but I'm just guessing here.

Can you put the pod condo in the sump? Maybe even a separate small tank that you culture them in would be preferable. Having a food source like that in the tank is definitely going to encourage your 6line to be territorial whether or not there is competition for pods in the tank.

 

[ReefCheif]

+10000^^^^^

Wrasses are natural grazers, they love picking at the rocks, hence why alot of them are good for pest control. Hes likely found that pod condo, an easy way to graze and stay fat, can you blame him?

 

[ThatsDeep!]

How big is the tank? I just reread your stock list, and there is a ginormous chance there is competition for food. Every single fish you listed except for the blenny is primarily a pod or crustacean eater, so unless your tank is several years old and >200 gallons, I really doubt there is enough pods to make them all happy. The six line is probably getting territorial because the pod condo is the only place with a reasonable stream of live food.

Another possibility is agression from the blenny. They dont look it, but blennys can be just as mean as damsels.

Understand, but actually we have had to reduce food. The target, hawkfish, blenny, pygmy all love the foods I add. Twin spot is a tiny sandsifter, and the Wrasse was the main guy to the top of the tank at feeding time until this incident. He never even visited the "pod condo" side of the tank until this odd behavior. I have been watching the pods and the mandarin and all are growing well. We have pods in the fuge like crazy and every time I remove a rock to frag something I have to remember to let the pods off before taking it out.

If I ever see them getting scarce I am ready to culture, so - not on my watch! I know hindsight is 20/20 but I seem to be making this work. Would like to have the 200 gallon tank some day though

 

[ThatsDeep!]

Wrasses seem erratic by nature. I have 3 in my tank, and they leave each other alone but will often flash at their reflection, swim in circles, flash off the sand/rocks, and dart across the tank for no apparent reason.

6 lines tend to be territorial. He's found a consistent food source and will probably continue to protect it. As for the hiding and the signs of a battle in the tank...if nobody is injured I wouldn't worry yet. Keep an eye on his behavior....but something could have just spooked him if he hid that long.

If I had to guess...I'd say your 6line got territorial and another one of your fish decided to check him. My money would be on a hawkfish, but I'm just guessing here.

Can you put the pod condo in the sump? Maybe even a separate small tank that you culture them in would be preferable. Having a food source like that in the tank is definitely going to encourage your 6line to be territorial whether or not there is competition for pods in the tank.

Your theory makes a lot of sense. Fish are a trip...the Blenny is right along side him and has been since his return. They look like they are just "hanging out" and the Hawk perches and watches for the most part. Truth is though, I reduced food a good amt when we were having nitrates elevate so they may have not have been "feeling the love" for some time . I have the pod condo in DT but also work to make sure I find a lot of pods in the fuge - from the benthic ones to the swimmers. I give them live phytoplankton as well, but am not opposed to making a pod tank and now that the Wrasse seems to have changed his tastes this could be the time.

Thanks for your thoughts - they are always helpful. J

 

[ThatsDeep!]

+10000^^^^^

Wrasses are natural grazers, they love picking at the rocks, hence why alot of them are good for pest control. Hes likely found that pod condo, an easy way to graze and stay fat, can you blame him?

Um, nope you are right about that. It is like the food comes right to him and whenever he wants now. I am thinking he probably won't go back to his old style anytime soon, so I best get to work on that pod tank

Appreciate your addition - thanks!

 

[ThatsDeep!]

Thanks again everyone. Have stopped feeding the "condo in DT" and am adding pods on the other side where the mandarin is feeding. She seems good. Though I see a lot of pod activity in fuge I think the best course of action is to build a pod tank - given the fish current situation. Blenny is hiding and did not feed this a.m. I think you were right on about the food fight, so to speak.

Even though I have added a lot of pods and live phyto these creatures are pretty whack when it comes to eating their eggs and each other....seems a separated source is good insurance. J

 

[01M5PWR]

I have a Candy Hog that goes into hiding when anything in his routine changes. He's an outgoing fish but if he disappears I can find him by looking for a rock that he hides under that has a swiss cheese hole in it that he peeks through and watches the surroundings. Its hilarious see just an eyeball moving around.
[attachment=67115:name]

 

[ThatsDeep!]

I have a Candy Hog that goes into hiding when anything in his routine changes. He's an outgoing fish but if he disappears I can find him by looking for a rock that he hides under that has a swiss cheese hole in it that he peeks through and watches the surroundings. Its hilarious see just an eyeball moving around.
View attachment 20070

Your fish sounds awesome!

Well, it is a whole new ball game with our tank now. Yesterday we found the Hawkfish on the carpet in front of the tank - toast. So, those of you who thought there was some dominating going on were right I think. It sucks so bad to have a fish jump out of your tank after you put so much in to make him a home. Hard not to take it personally... So now, I cut off the Wrasse [moved pod condo] and only offer him frozen food and Mandarin is at other end of tank and I supplement pods down there after Wrasse has eaten. It is very quiet, but frags are moved every a.m. [probably the crabs].

We went out and stared at fish but did not get anything. Hard to know which drama-creating-inappropriate-expensive-problem to buy next.

 

[zombie]

Yesterday we found the Hawkfish on the carpet in front of the tank - toast. So, those of you who thought there was some dominating going on were right I think. It sucks so bad to have a fish jump out of your tank after you put so much in to make him a home.

That sucks. I know the feeling. Lost a couple wrasses to the floor and then I got this. You can save some money by getting just the screen material from brs and get a window screen kit at home depot.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/diy-aquarium-screen-top-kits-1-4-netting-1.html

 

[ThatsDeep!]

That sucks. I know the feeling. Lost a couple wrasses to the floor and then I got this. You can save some money by getting just the screen material from brs and get a window screen kit at home depot.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/diy-aquarium-screen-top-kits-1-4-netting-1.html

Yeah, we actually had ballast on the top. Felt this would prevent jumping and was cooler for the tank as glass top was creating conditions where temp. elevated as summer came on. Would have sworn that Hawkfish was too big for the holes in the ballast and he had to hit the diagonal perfectly while being 100% vertical. Well, window screen is pretty inexpensive... thanks for the tip. J

 

[zombie]

Just make sure you get plastic screen and not metal or it will rust like heck. If you only have small patches, I have some leftovers from when I made mine.

 

[ThatsDeep!]

Thanks Zombie.

You know, I think I am understanding more about the responses I got. This is like one of us was put on an island. There is a McDonalds so we are happy there is at least some way to eat "food". Then, we have occasion to go to the other side where a guy gives away grilled shrimp and lobster with drawn butter. No way are we going back for a burger right? I wish there was easier access for live brine [no I don't want to grow that too] as we used to pick up bags of the stuff cheap but this was so 15 years ago. Anyway, I think I am getting the picture. If we are crazy enough to add one more fish, they will likely "follow the crowd at chow time". [heavy sigh]