New firefish scratching against sand bed

[fisherdmin]

Just got my first fish after cycling the tank for 4 weeks. I used Fritz 9 after studying with Fishless Fuel.

Got from LFS Saturday where he was kept in hyposaline conditions. Drip acclimated for 75 minutes until salinity matched the main tank. Hand transferred to tank. I had just intended to offer food as I had heard that new fish frequently won't eat bc of stress. But bc I also picked up a few snails, I opted to feed the tank bc I didn't think there was enough detritus and such to support them. I was thrilled when the firefish ate.

Sunday I noticed a little fin dipping behavior where he dropped down and brushed the sand. It unfortunately seems to be more frequent this evening. He is still eating well and I observe no white spots or anything obvious, other than the scratching.

What's the recommended course of action here? He's the only fish in the tank ( I have the snails and a small frag of GSP and a small Duncan). It's a 30 gallon breeder with 30 lbs base Marco Rock and 40 lbs of CaribSea "live sand".

Hopefully, I am over reacting, but I just wanna be prepared.

I do not currently have a QT, but I could spin one up pretty quickly. Just need another heater.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just got my first fish after cycling the tank for 4 weeks. I used Fritz 9 after studying with Fishless Fuel.

Got from LFS Saturday where he was kept in hyposaline conditions. Drip acclimated for 75 minutes until salinity matched the main tank. Hand transferred to tank. I had just intended to offer food as I had heard that new fish frequently won't eat bc of stress. But bc I also picked up a few snails, I opted to feed the tank bc I didn't think there was enough detritus and such to support them. I was thrilled when the firefish ate.

Sunday I noticed a little fin dipping behavior where he dropped down and brushed the sand. It unfortunately seems to be more frequent this evening. He is still eating well and I observe no white spots or anything obvious, other than the scratching.

What's the recommended course of action here? He's the only fish in the tank ( I have the snails and a small frag of GSP and a small Duncan). It's a 30 gallon breeder with 30 lbs base Marco Rock and 40 lbs of CaribSea "live sand".

Hopefully, I am over reacting, but I just wanna be prepared.

I do not currently have a QT, but I could spin one up pretty quickly. Just need another heater.

Best assessment will be from viewing pics or video. Please post images using white light intensity, no blue and assure glass is clear. These fish tend to be victims often with aggression

 

[fisherdmin]

Just got my first fish after cycling the tank for 4 weeks. I used Fritz 9 after studying with Fishless Fuel.

Got from LFS Saturday where he was kept in hyposaline conditions. Drip acclimated for 75 minutes until salinity matched the main tank. Hand transferred to tank. I had just intended to offer food as I had heard that new fish frequently won't eat bc of stress. But bc I also picked up a few snails, I opted to feed the tank bc I didn't think there was enough detritus and such to support them. I was thrilled when the firefish ate.

Sunday I noticed a little fin dipping behavior where he dropped down and brushed the sand. It unfortunately seems to be more frequent this evening. He is still eating well and I observe no white spots or anything obvious, other than the scratching.

What's the recommended course of action here? He's the only fish in the tank ( I have the snails and a small frag of GSP and a small Duncan). It's a 30 gallon breeder with 30 lbs base Marco Rock and 40 lbs of CaribSea "live sand".

Hopefully, I am over reacting, but I just wanna be prepared.

I do not currently have a QT, but I could spin one up pretty quickly. Just need another heater.

Best assessment will be from viewing pics or video. Please post images using white light intensity, no blue and assure glass is clear. These fish tend to be victims often with aggression

Here's a vid. I had to ramp the lights back up as the tank was in twilight mode. He seems more agitated than usual bc of the lighting change and my proximity with the cam

era.

 

[fisherdmin]

Just got my first fish after cycling the tank for 4 weeks. I used Fritz 9 after studying with Fishless Fuel.

Got from LFS Saturday where he was kept in hyposaline conditions. Drip acclimated for 75 minutes until salinity matched the main tank. Hand transferred to tank. I had just intended to offer food as I had heard that new fish frequently won't eat bc of stress. But bc I also picked up a few snails, I opted to feed the tank bc I didn't think there was enough detritus and such to support them. I was thrilled when the firefish ate.

Sunday I noticed a little fin dipping behavior where he dropped down and brushed the sand. It unfortunately seems to be more frequent this evening. He is still eating well and I observe no white spots or anything obvious, other than the scratching.

What's the recommended course of action here? He's the only fish in the tank ( I have the snails and a small frag of GSP and a small Duncan). It's a 30 gallon breeder with 30 lbs base Marco Rock and 40 lbs of CaribSea "live sand".

Hopefully, I am over reacting, but I just wanna be prepared.

I do not currently have a QT, but I could spin one up pretty quickly. Just need another heater.

Best assessment will be from viewing pics or video. Please post images using white light intensity, no blue and assure glass is clear. These fish tend to be victims often with aggression

Here's a vid. I had to ramp the lights back up as the tank was in twilight mode. He seems more agitated than usual bc of the lighting change and my proximity with the cam

era.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Here's a vid. I had to ramp the lights back up as the tank was in twilight mode. He seems more agitated than usual bc of the lighting change and my proximity with the cam

era.

I have a trio and this is behavior I see every day and is normal with upper dorsal flickering when they are stressed or intimidated my a passing tank mate.

 

[fisherdmin]

I have a trio and this is behavior I see every day and is normal with upper dorsal flickering when they are stressed or intimidated my a passing tank mates

I think my little guy was upset during the last video bc of the lighting change and the proximity of the camera. Here's a vid taken from a greater distance during the morning ramp up. I think he looks more chill. So far this AM, I have not seen the scratching behavior.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Gr

I think my little guy was upset during the last video bc of the lighting change and the proximity of the camera. Here's a vid taken from a greater distance during the morning ramp up. I think he looks more chill. So far this AM, I have not seen the scratching behavior.

eat, when intimidated , its when you will often see this