Firefish hiding for a few days. How long to wait?

[FunkEngine]

My helfrichi decided to start hiding about 3-4 days ago. I've only seen him twice in that time and only just poking out of the rock for a few seconds. The day that he was out before (4 days) that he was not that interested in the mysis at feeding time and only ate one piece after a while of just watching it. He was drawn out of hiding yesterday after several minutes of mysis floating by but only for a few seconds and he did not eat anything. I wasn't able to get a long look at him but on the one side of his body that I saw I did not see any spots or discoloration. He has been healthy and active previously in the last several months.

I have added a new fish, a small clown the day after he started hiding. Clown doesn't seem to be fighting with the other two fish at this time. Being that he was introduced the day after this began I don't think this is the cause, but may be a factor in the continued hiding.

How long should I give it before attempting to tear the rock apart to try to take action? Being that he isn't eating offered foods I don't want to wait so long as to let him starve himself to the point of no return.

 

[Humblefish]

Very likely your firefish is intimidated by the presence of the clownfish. Firefish are skittish by nature and will dart into a hole in a rock if any threat is perceived.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Firefish can start hiding for an extended period of time for any number of reasons. Disruptions in or around the tank, new fish added, any number of reasons. Don't go taking apart the rock, that will only make things worse.

 

[Todd31]

I have one that's been hiding for 6 months since adding a foxface. She hides in a frag station. I squirt food into the station during feeding. I debated removing the station to force her out, but every time I've lifted it just to get her to interact she tries to jump out of the tank.

 

[jd371]

Mine went into hiding for a month when I added my CBB. I never saw it once in the time it was hiding and thought it would starve. It got comfortable enough to come out during feeding at first and then progressively staying out longer and longer with each day.

 

[FunkEngine]

Ok, I might try directing some food under into the cave in the mean time. I was just concerned since this started the day before the clown was added and frankly my midas blenny was way more of a jerk at first than the clown has been and he stayed out that entire time.

 

[davidm777]

I am glad I ran into this post. A few months ago go I thought homeboy was dead. Then he came out of nowhere... I mean I have a 20g, was thinking how well can he hide? I recently added clowns he was fine for about a week... now he went AWOL again. It's hard to believe he can hide to the point I am thinking he might be dead again!

 

[SheltonGoesSalt]

I am glad I ran into this post. A few months ago go I thought homeboy was dead. Then he came out of nowhere... I mean I have a 20g, was thinking how well can he hide? I recently added clowns he was fine for about a week... now he went AWOL again. It's hard to believe he can hide to the point I am thinking he might be dead again!

same exact thing. I don't even see mine poking his head out of his last known hiding spot. It's day two of not seeing him, lol. I will squirt some food near his home, but was not aware of these guys' hiding abilities, i mean in my 25G, I legit can't find him anymore.