Fish losing Tail

[Sdoutreefer]

I have a fish that lost a noticeable bit of its tail overnight. For some background, I have a bully in my tank that demands my spotted goby stay in its corner, unless it’s night time, when the bully is asleep.

I don’t believe the fish is sick, so my question is, could stress be causing my goby to lose its tail? A week or so after I introduced him to my system, the goby’s tail started to look a bit shorter. Goby was immediately bullied when introduced… Today the tail is really short. I have a pistol shrimp in the system with him but the goby just doesn’t move or make any effort to pair up. It literally just sits in the corner ticked off at the world.

Do I need to worry about getting him medication? Or could this all be caused by stress from the bully?

 

[RedReefer]

Tail is damaged from being bitten.

 

[Tamberav]

Could also be a infection is settling in from injury which can be fatal if it continues past the tail.

 

[Reefering1]

Picture?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I was thinking that as well. Here’s some pictures for reference.

 

[Uncle99]

Who’s the bully?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

My purple dottyback.

My daughter just had to have a purple fish… I’ve got a trap on the way, hoping to get it out.

 

[BasementBox]

If he’s an enginnering or burying goby give him a rock or something in the corner to throw him a bone at least!

 

[Sdoutreefer]

He’s got lots of hiding spots, even burrows in the sand. He just doesn’t move. Barely moves when I have my glass scraper in the tank lol.

I think he’s pretty scared.

 

[Reefering1]

Put some rocks by the glass in that corner where he is being chased to.

 

[Reefering1]

He just doesn’t move. Barely moves when I have my glass scraper in the tank lol.

Like he's trying to not be seen by the bully?

 

[BasementBox]

Put some rocks by the glass in that corner where he is being chased to.

Exactly.

 

[Reefering1]

lol.

Please elaborate

 

[BasementBox]

He’s got lots of hiding spots, even burrows in the sand. He just doesn’t move. Barely moves when I have my glass scraper in the tank lol.

I think he’s pretty scared.

I mean. If you were about to have a foot cut off or chance to die from infection you wouldn’t be too thrilled either?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Put some rocks by the glass in that corner where he is being chased to.

He has that. For whatever reason, he moved corners a week ago, and is pinned down. I don’t have any other loose rock unfortunately.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Like he's trying to not be seen by the bully?

I THINK so. He blends in pretty well with the sand.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

Please elaborate

On what?

 

[Sdoutreefer]

I mean. If you were about to have a foot cut off or chance to die from infection you wouldn’t be too thrilled either?

Of course I wouldn’t be, which is why I’m asking the question and trying to figure out the best course of action. Kind of a silly comment, but of course reading text can make things appear out of context.

 

[BasementBox]

Of course I wouldn’t be, which is why I’m asking the question and trying to figure out the best course of action. Kind of a silly comment, but of course reading text can make things appear out of context.

Then move what rocks you have to the corner. Adapt it temporarily for him until you can get more rock. That or get rid of the attacker.

 

[Sdoutreefer]

My main concern is that he doesn’t have an illness. I have a trap on the way that I hope will help. He’s my favorite fish I have right now. Plus, my dottyback is such a bully I’m scared to put more fish in, and I need the added bio-load for nutrients.