Firefish not doing well

[BestMomEver]

I have a purple Firefish that’s been in my tank for over a year. I recently merged two tanks into one, which means he has a sunrise dottyback and cherub angel living with him that weren’t before. I’ve also added a Naoko Fairy Wrasse lately. Over the last week or so, my Firefish has takento huddling on the bottom in the corner. Sometimes he just rests on the sand.

I can’t find anything that looks like disease... no spots, slime, white poo, or red places. He’s not breathing hard. He does have a torn place on his dorsal fin that makes me think someone has been after him. At the same time, there are tons of places in the rock where he can hide. I don’t get it...

Parameters...

Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate all 0
Phosphate is 0 or very low depending on the day
dkh 9.2
Calcium 442
Magnesium 1430
ph 8.05
Salinity 1.026

I’m stumped.. parameters are good... all stable. That’s what makes me think someone is bullying him. I just don’t understand why he’s not hiding.

Ideas?

 

[ngoodermuth]

I’d put money on the dottyback, but I’ve had a cherub angel before and they can be scrappy little things too lol

 

[Jedi knight]

I would almost be certain it’s the dottyback bullying him in some way judging by the torn dorsal fin

 

[BestMomEver]

I’d put money on the dottyback, but I’ve had a cherub angel before and they can be scrappy little things too lol

My guess too. The dottyback is a sneaky little devil. The cherub angel has never been a problem but was always in with others that were his same level on the bully scale. He now has higher ups but also some that are more peaceful. I just can’t figure out why the Firefish isn’t hiding in a cave somewhere. He wants to swim around but always goes back to his corner. He’s close to my breeding Clarkii clowns. I think he finds safety there. They’ve always accepted him... they never chase him.