Firefish acting strange

[slipknotgrrl83]

I have had him for 2 years this December. For the past 3 days he's hiding most of day and getting spooked more which even though is a known trait for them is odd for mine. Another odd thing is he's now swimming weirdly in a small area with head up tail down, not always but most of the time. My tank is 29 gallon with 10 gallon sump has 2 black percula clowns and a coris wrasse who never have bothered him.

Parameters
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 40, been trying to lower but never has caused any issues and am addressing it
PH 8.2
Sg 1.025
Cal 500
Mag 1440
Alk 9.8
Phosphate 0.1
Temp 78.7-79.3

AM I just overreacting? He is eating an no obvious sign of disease. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Humblefish]

Mine would always do this if they were being harassed by another fish. Go from being out all the time to hiding constantly. I would keep a real close eye on that wrasse, but if the firefish's hidey hole is near where the clowns host that could be a problem too.

 

[melypr1985]

I agree ^^ Firefish are very flighty. I would spend some time a ways away so you can observe without intruding. My fish always act different when I'm near the tank than when I'm across the room on the couch.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

I agree ^^ Firefish are very flighty. I would spend some time a ways away so you can observe without intruding. My fish always act different when I'm near the tank than when I'm across the room on the couch.

Yeah I think I will. I was on the couch earlier after I fed the fish and he stayed out until I walked by the tank, then he darted back in his cave... lol

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Mine would always do this if they were being harassed by another fish. Go from being out all the time to hiding constantly. I would keep a real close eye on that wrasse, but if the firefish's hidey hole is near where the clowns host that could be a problem too.

Will do, clowns domain is on other side of tank. Will keep Eye on wrasse but I don't think he bothers him, then again who knows

 

[jd371]

Mine was out all the time until I put the last 2 fish in this tank, 2 Wrasses. Since then he hides all the time now. I never saw him get harassed so I assume he just didn't like the change. For the first week after the additions I didn't see him at all, after a week he started to come out for feeding and once and a while I'll get a glance of him for minute here and there.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Mine has been with the same fish almost 2 years... maybe he's having an off week? He's eating and no signs of disease so I'll just wait and see if guess

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

He's Still hiding 80 percent of the time but comes out to eat and occasion lyrics to swim. I'm just afraid he is dying but no sign of disease

 

[Humblefish]

He's Still hiding 80 percent of the time but comes out to eat and occasion lyrics to swim.

This sounds like a firefish who is being skittish. Somewhat normal behavior for them.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

It's the weirdest thing though....he was fine till last week. No changes or new tankmates...would the others just start harassing him out of nowhere? They have all been together for 2 years

 

[Humblefish]

It's the weirdest thing though....he was fine till last week. No changes or new tankmates...would the others just start harassing him out of nowhere? They have all been together for 2 years

For most fish, their behavior changes as they mature. If your clowns (or wrasse) were juveniles, but are now maturing into adults, then the instinct to breed may cause them to become more aggressive/territorial with other fish.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

For most fish, their behavior changes as they mature. If your clowns (or wrasse) were juveniles, but are now maturing into adults, then the instinct to breed may cause them to become more aggressive/territorial with other fish.

Never thought of that...they were babies when I got them