Good evening!
Tank background: set up early January, 40 breeder 30 g sump, temp 77.9-79.1, ammonia & nitrite 0, nitrate ~5.
My first two fish were a firefish and the royal gramma in question. After adding them, I noticed he would nip at any snail/hermit/potential enemy that came anywhere near or even looked in the general direction of his cave. I figured okay, he's just a little protective.
About 2.5 weeks after adding those two, I added a bangaii cardinal and a yellow watchman goby. A week or so later I began to notice the firefish tail fin was getting torn up. I still have never seen the RG charge or nip at any other fish, so I was a little confused. Several days later (about a week ago) the firefish wound up dead.
After the firefish died, the YWG left his hole (which shared a rock with the RG, if that matters) and began acting funny - staying at the complete opposite side of the tank, out in the open day/night and even swimming up at the top of the tank. Through all of this though he continued to eat and showed no sign obvious of illness. I did notice that when the RG swam towards the YWG he would leave the sandbed and swim up to the top. This continued for about a week.
Now, the YWG has found a new cave on the other side of the tank and acts completely normal as he did prior to the firefish death. Several days ago, I noticed the bangaii began acting different, staying stuck to the back glass, quickly darting to grab a bite to eat then bolting back to the glass. He usually would hang out in the front corner and would become a huge fearless pig whenever I fed.
Today, I replaced the firefish and all was well. This is the first time I have seen any direct aggression from the RG to another fish - he began to open his mouth wide and charge the new firefish - however, the firefish didn't back down, just kind of turned his side to him and opened up his fins. I didn't see the RG bite the firefish at all. Things seemed to die down and I went to watch a TV show and came back 45 minutes later to see that the new firefish tail was frayed.
The only thing I can think is the RG. Is he just waiting until I walk away to attack Unless there is some bacteria/illness that could be causing it??
Tank background: set up early January, 40 breeder 30 g sump, temp 77.9-79.1, ammonia & nitrite 0, nitrate ~5.
My first two fish were a firefish and the royal gramma in question. After adding them, I noticed he would nip at any snail/hermit/potential enemy that came anywhere near or even looked in the general direction of his cave. I figured okay, he's just a little protective.
About 2.5 weeks after adding those two, I added a bangaii cardinal and a yellow watchman goby. A week or so later I began to notice the firefish tail fin was getting torn up. I still have never seen the RG charge or nip at any other fish, so I was a little confused. Several days later (about a week ago) the firefish wound up dead.After the firefish died, the YWG left his hole (which shared a rock with the RG, if that matters) and began acting funny - staying at the complete opposite side of the tank, out in the open day/night and even swimming up at the top of the tank. Through all of this though he continued to eat and showed no sign obvious of illness. I did notice that when the RG swam towards the YWG he would leave the sandbed and swim up to the top. This continued for about a week.
Now, the YWG has found a new cave on the other side of the tank and acts completely normal as he did prior to the firefish death. Several days ago, I noticed the bangaii began acting different, staying stuck to the back glass, quickly darting to grab a bite to eat then bolting back to the glass. He usually would hang out in the front corner and would become a huge fearless pig whenever I fed.
Today, I replaced the firefish and all was well. This is the first time I have seen any direct aggression from the RG to another fish - he began to open his mouth wide and charge the new firefish - however, the firefish didn't back down, just kind of turned his side to him and opened up his fins. I didn't see the RG bite the firefish at all. Things seemed to die down and I went to watch a TV show and came back 45 minutes later to see that the new firefish tail was frayed.
The only thing I can think is the RG. Is he just waiting until I walk away to attack
Unless there is some bacteria/illness that could be causing it??
