Firefish sick

[Char.toombes]

I have a purple firefish I received from DrReefs back in early March who was QT’d by them. I received this fish healthy, swimming normal around the water column, eating everything it could.

Recently (2-3wks ago) she started swimming more upright without much tail fin and resting on the sand frequently. I also noticed a small white blotch on her tail as seen in the 1st video. She was still eating just fine so I thought it may be constipation as I read can happen so I fed her a small piece of cooked pea but nothing changed. Fast forward now she is not eating for the past 3 days and is much more immobile on the sandbed, barely even tried to swim away when I transferred to QT. The blotch hasn’t gotten worse however.
I’ve dosed some general cure for now, is there anything else I can do for her?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Peas are a remedy for freshwater fish and looks like light tail damage

 

[Char.toombes]

Peas are a remedy for freshwater fish and looks like light tail damage

Gotcha. So could this progression be from the pea? Also unsure what would’ve caused the damage as I have a watchman and 2 clowns that all keep to their areas.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Gotcha. So could this progression be from the pea? Also unsure what would’ve caused the damage as I have a watchman and 2 clowns that all keep to their areas.

Clowns are prime suspect and again, peas dont work with saltwater fish - a Freshwater remedy mainly for goldfishg

 

[Char.toombes]

I guess it’s just odd as my clowns stay to a corner of the tank opposite to where the firefish would frequent. I almost never see them interact, though I know they can be territorial

Clowns are prime suspect and again, peas dont work with saltwater fish - a Freshwater remedy mainly for goldfishg

 

[vetteguy53081]

I guess it’s just odd as my clowns stay to a corner of the tank opposite to where the firefish would frequent. I almost never see them interact, though I know they can be territorial

They are on their best behavior in your presence and as soon as you are gone - They do their little acts

 

[OnlyZoas]

Even if you don’t think the clowns are doing it, could you put in a piece of egg crate or do something to separate the fish to see if your fish improves?

 

[Char.toombes]

They are on their best behavior in your presence and as soon as you are gone - They do their little acts

I suppose that would make sense if the small bit of damage, but would that cause the firefish to lose buoyancy too? It seems like it wasn’t bad at first but definitely progressed. I half thought it make have a broken back the way it was swimming vertical and looks like unable to use its tail