Blue-Lined Rabbitfish fin flashing - Concern or normal?

[Lukas75]

I have a blue-lined rabbitfish that came in on Tuesday in quarantine that is rapidly flicking or flashing it's dorsal and pelvic fins at the same time. I have repeatedly tried to capture this behavior on video, but the fish is still quite shy. Otherwise the fish appears to be healthy except for perhaps a slight haziness to the eyes (might be my imagination). I treated with Prazi immediately on arrival and will treat again on Tuesday. Is this behavior normal or a sign of something underlying?

Salinity: 1.025
NH4: 0
NO3: undetectable
Temp: 78

 

[sfin52]

I have a blue-lined rabbitfish that came in on Tuesday in quarantine that is rapidly flicking or flashing it's dorsal and pelvic fins at the same time. I have repeatedly tried to capture this behavior on video, but the fish is still quite shy. Otherwise the fish appears to be healthy except for perhaps a slight haziness to the eyes (might be my imagination). I treated with Prazi immediately on arrival and will treat again on Tuesday. Is this behavior normal or a sign of something underlying?

Salinity: 1.025
NH4: 0
NO3: undetectable
Temp: 78

My black spot foxface would do this on occasion. I was never able to determine why. They do shed a film/ mucus coat from time to time and I believe it did what you described more often when it was shedding. Just my thoughts about my fish.

I would still have it had it not beat up some other fish.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

How often do see this behavior? If constant I would say that is not normal. First step treating for flukes is always best but I suggest conducting a simple FWD to see if that's what you're dealing with. If you identify them during the dip you can treat accordingly. Process of elimination.

 

[Lukas75]

How often do see this behavior? If constant I would say that is not normal. First step treating for flukes is always best but I suggest conducting a simple FWD to see if that's what you're dealing with. If you identify them during the dip you can treat accordingly. Process of elimination.

Thank you, you confirmed my thoughts on running a FW dip :)

 

[Lukas75]

My black spot foxface would do this on occasion. I was never able to determine why. They do shed a film/ mucus coat from time to time and I believe it did what you described more often when it was shedding. Just my thoughts about my fish.

I would still have it had it not beat up some other fish.

It's not constant, but enough to catch my eye. I don't see any shedding of mucus or anything. I probably would have panicked had I ;Hilarious

 

[sfin52]

It's not constant, but enough to catch my eye. I don't see any shedding of mucus or anything. I probably would have panicked had I ;Hilarious

I did and when I saw it first thing in the morning.

 

[sfin52]

Do you have any other fish qt with it. Mine flicked when the sailfin would get close
if you are dousing with prozi im not sure a fw dip is needed.

@ngoodermuth @4FordFamily thoughts.

 

[Lukas75]

Do you have any other fish qt with it. Mine flicked when the sailfin would get close
if you are dousing with prozi im not sure a fw dip is needed.

@ngoodermuth @4FordFamily thoughts.

There's a Midas Blenny in with her. I haven't noticed any increase or decrease with how near the two are to each other.

 

[Lukas75]

Following up. No signs of flukes in the FW dip, but I had already run Prazi. I'll run it again after work. Her appetite is VERY strong and the twitching seems to have gone down.

 

[sfin52]

Following up. No signs of flukes in the FW dip, but I had already run Prazi. I'll run it again after work. Her appetite is VERY strong and the twitching seems to have gone down.

She was probably just irritated from the move.

 

[shred5]

My one spot did this especially at my tang. I believe it is a warning that they are venomous and stay away.

 

[sfin52]

My one spot did this especially at my tang. I believe it is a warning that they are venomous and stay away.

Mine did it to the sail fin

 

[ngoodermuth]

Following up. No signs of flukes in the FW dip, but I had already run Prazi. I'll run it again after work. Her appetite is VERY strong and the twitching seems to have gone down.

I’d wait and do the second dose of prazi 5-7 days after the first. That way you’ve broken the life cycle, just in case.

 

[Lukas75]

I’d wait and do the second dose of prazi 5-7 days after the first. That way you’ve broken the life cycle, just in case.

Thank you! Yup, yesterday was 7 days since the first :)

 

[User1]

I won't get into medicating, etc. However, I will say that my traditional Foxface Rabbit Fish does this daily and has since he or she was introduced to my display tank. I'll see it swim by and it will flex. No idea why. I've tried starting up a conversation with him/her on several occasions but I keep getting the cold shoulder :(

Seriously though - mine does this a lot and my assumption is that it is just the norm. No fish are getting hurt. There are no fights. Azure Damsel, Scopus and Lavender Tangs, pair of clowns, pair of Pajama Cardinals, and I think that is about it outside snails and a peppermint shrimp. Oh, a Coral Beauty. I've asked them also but they didn't respond to my inquiry either :(

 

[Lukas75]

I won't get into medicating, etc. However, I will say that my traditional Foxface Rabbit Fish does this daily and has since he or she was introduced to my display tank. I'll see it swim by and it will flex. No idea why. I've tried starting up a conversation with him/her on several occasions but I keep getting the cold shoulder :(

Seriously though - mine does this a lot and my assumption is that it is just the norm. No fish are getting hurt. There are no fights. Azure Damsel, Scopus and Lavender Tangs, pair of clowns, pair of Pajama Cardinals, and I think that is about it outside snails and a peppermint shrimp. Oh, a Coral Beauty. I've asked them also but they didn't respond to my inquiry either :(

Thank you, I'm coming to the conclusion that it's just normal behavior. It could be a language issue, have you tried using the dog as an interpreter?

 

[User1]

Thank you, I'm coming to the conclusion that it's just normal behavior. It could be a language issue, have you tried using the dog as an interpreter?

My dog would try and eat it sadly... So no paws allowed near the surface :D

Interesting enough since you mentioned dog. I couldn't understand why my top off water was being consumed so fast. I was thinking it couldn't evaporate that much in a day, right? Come to find out I left the lid off or misplaced it and my German Shepherd used it for her water bowl I guess. It wasn't until my daughter passed by and caught her in the act :) 5 gallon bucket is what I use, now I remember to put the lid on!

But yes, I think you have everything dialed in and rocking it! Forgot to add pretty fish also. Have a great day.

 

[ngoodermuth]

My dog would try and eat it sadly... So no paws allowed near the surface :D

Interesting enough since you mentioned dog. I couldn't understand why my top off water was being consumed so fast. I was thinking it couldn't evaporate that much in a day, right? Come to find out I left the lid off or misplaced it and my German Shepherd used it for her water bowl I guess. It wasn't until my daughter passed by and caught her in the act :) 5 gallon bucket is what I use, now I remember to put the lid on!

But yes, I think you have everything dialed in and rocking it! Forgot to add pretty fish also. Have a great day.

Haha, why put the lid on? Water the dog and the fish at the same time, sounds like a win-win [emoji23][emoji12]

 

[Lukas75]

My final conclusion is that this is a part of the fishes behavior. The fish is fine and will be completing quarantine. My Majestic Foxface (different system) doesn't do this, she just raises her spines like, "Come get some!" But she has a red warning stripe. Thank you to everyone for their help!