Orchid dottyback hiding?

[Claus84]

Hi all,

I've had an orchid dottyback in with a coral beauty in my 55g Fowlr for a few months and up until 2 days ago it was always front and centre waiting to be fed when I entered the room.

Haven't seen it now for 2 days, should I be concerned? I have read that they can be reclusive but mine was pretty bold until now. The tank is very well covered so it hasn't jumped.

Thanks

Nick

 

[eatbreakfast]

Aggression may cause hiding, but usually the dottyback would still be visible. Have you checked the overflow/ sump? If it's head can get through it is capable of jumping.

 

[Claus84]

It's just a standard tank with no sump or overflow, it has cover glass and mesh on the top and I jammed filter floss in the corners where the cable go in so it's unlikely to have jumped, I did check around the tank to see if it did it whilst I was feeding maybe but don't think it has.

Could be aggression like you say, it had dug a tunnel under some rock so I think I'll lift the rock tonight and see if it comes out, I haven't noticed any rock movement but I guess it could be trapped.

Thanks

Nick

 

[ca1ore]

When a fish materially changes it's behavior, something has caused it. Either a new addition/aggression or some kind of underlying disease. It may have jumped, gotten caught in the overflow or died.

 

[Claus84]

When a fish materially changes it's behavior, something has caused it. Either a new addition/aggression or some kind of underlying disease. It may have jumped, gotten caught in the overflow or died.

That's my concern, I will have a good look for it tonight. Fingers crossed it's okay..

Thanks

 

[Claus84]

Well my dotty is dead.

I found it rotting in a hole in the rock. Coral beauty looks great still and my params are all in check. NH4 and NO2 undetectable, NO3 around 10, pH a little low at 7.85 but there hasn't been a sudden drop as far as I am aware, O2 is around 105% saturation atm. Tank has been running a little hot at 26-27c due to a long lasting heatwave here in the UK but so has my reef and everything looks okay in there.

I'm gutted and a bit puzzled, both fish had prazipro and CP before going in the tank and the dotty had no signs of disease last time I saw it on Friday.

Could it have gotten stuck? Chased head first into a hole by the coral beauty maybe. How well can these things move in reverse? If it jammed itself head first should it be able to reverse out?

Thanks

Nick

 

[Claus84]

Quick follow up question, anyone ever heard of aiptasia killing a fish? I have a few that I haven't been able to reach to kill and the dotty could have easily brushed against one of them. just a thought..

 

[eatbreakfast]

Aiptasia will not kill a dottyback.

 

[Claus84]

Thanks, I thought not but just trying to eliminate possibilities

 

[Lester Verano]

Well my dotty is dead.

I found it rotting in a hole in the rock. Coral beauty looks great still and my params are all in check. NH4 and NO2 undetectable, NO3 around 10, pH a little low at 7.85 but there hasn't been a sudden drop as far as I am aware, O2 is around 105% saturation atm. Tank has been running a little hot at 26-27c due to a long lasting heatwave here in the UK but so has my reef and everything looks okay in there.

I'm gutted and a bit puzzled, both fish had prazipro and CP before going in the tank and the dotty had no signs of disease last time I saw it on Friday.

Could it have gotten stuck? Chased head first into a hole by the coral beauty maybe. How well can these things move in reverse? If it jammed itself head first should it be able to reverse out?

Thanks

Nick

this might be happening to me. same thing, just all of a sudden no dotty back. plus almost same scenario you described. I hope it's not dead.