Abnormal Hiding in Flame Hawk?

[Wandering Albatross]

Hey everyone, my established Flame hawk pair has started behaving strangely. They're both normally out perching and very food motivated, but since yesterday, neither has been out hardly at all, and when I feed they take either one bite or none at all, nothing like they normally do. Today neither one came out for breakfast.

Their single tankmate (spotted mandarin male), has been wedging himself in one corner since this started like he's suddenly discovered his reflection and barely eating or picking, also abnormal for him. Thought it might be a sudden turn of bullying towards him, but he has no torn fins, bites, or bruising. The trio has been together for a couple months now with no issues.

I just did a 20% water change hoping it might alleviate whatever is going on, but so far it hasn't shown any improvement. In the brief times I was able to see either one, I couldn't see any signs of damage or discoloration on them. Any guesses on what might be going on with them?

 

[JumboShrimp]

I have had a Flame Hawk in my 150 gallon in the past, with a lot less rock-work than I currently have, and do not remember the fish hiding much at all. He would mostly stay out on the sand, or a couple of rocks, or use a ledge like an algae scraper or something plastic to perch on. Fast forward... and I put giant rock walls with a ton of hiding space in each of my current 150 gallon tanks, and added a new Flame Hawk to each. They seem to hide all the time, and will only occasionally come out and grab some food. One of the fish, even more rarely than the other. I'm not saying it has me worried, but I do wish they would stay out to be viewed more. By contrast, I also have a Longnose Hawk in each tank, and they each hang out in the open as one world 'normally' expect.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I have had a Flame Hawk in my 150 gallon in the past, with a lot less rock-work than I currently have, and do not remember the fish hiding much at all. He would mostly stay out on the sand, or a couple of rocks, or use a ledge like an algae scraper or something plastic to perch on. Fast forward... and I put giant rock walls with a ton of hiding space in each of my current 150 gallon tanks, and added a new Flame Hawk to each. They seem to hide all the time, and will only occasionally come out and grab some food. One of the fish, even more rarely than the other. I'm not saying it has me worried, but I do wish they would stay out to be viewed more. By contrast, I also have a Longnose Hawk in each tank, and they each hang out in the open as one world 'normally' expect.

Mine normally are out and perching together watching me and the other tanks, so this rapid behavior change is concerning. And not being interested in food like normal. I've added nothing extra to the tank, moved nothing, changed nothing.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I agree; your situation is coupled with a sudden, unexpected break from routine. Keep us posted as to whether the situation gets better, worse, or stays the same. Best wishes!!

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I'm hoping someone has an idea as to why they took such a sudden turn.

 

[JumboShrimp]

(Maybe they recently fell in love, and are making-out in a cove.)

 

[Wandering Albatross]

(Maybe they recently fell in love, and are making-out in a cove.)

Haha that's pretty good! They should still be eating though; I mean who doesn't like chocolate while they make-out?

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Update:

The larger of the two (presumably male) is coming back out front, more like normal, though he's still a little skittish, and not as food motivated as he used to be. The mandarin seems better too. I haven't seen the smaller hawk in almost 2 days. I'm tempted to pull the rockwork to check, but because of the style of aquascape, the whole thing is an awkward 20-some pound piece. I've checked every angle of every cave I can reach, and haven't seen so much as a tail. No body though either. These guys are paired, I can't imagine the male killing and eating his mate. I can't even see him being cuc on her corpse if she passed for unknown reasons.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Update:

I saw the smaller female last night, she seemed okay. This morning she's dead, looks a little fuzzy, maybe velvet?
Nothing has been added to the tank recently though so I'm a bit confused.

 

[Tahoe61]

Have you checked ALL equipment.

Sorry about the loss, they are awesome fish.

 

[JumboShrimp]

You said they were an established pair... just wondering, how long have you had them I. The tank? 6 mos? A year? Longer? Sorry for your loss.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Have you checked ALL equipment.

Sorry about the loss, they are awesome fish.

The only equipment is a heater and powerhead, and both have been running unchanged since the tank was started. I check the heaters often to ensure nothing is freezing or baking.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

You said they were an established pair... just wondering, how long have you had them I. The tank? 6 mos? A year? Longer? Sorry for your loss.

They came together from the same vendor, same order, had them a few months, bonded and settled within 24 hours of arrival. The size difference was the key factor I'm pretty sure. Very active and personable, no quarrels with their mandarin tankbuddy either. Mandarin was in before them.