Recovery for the Bullied?

[ShrimpBandit]

I inherited a 40g tall FO tank about a year ago, and it came with four clownfish. I know that this is not ideal, but they've all been getting along since before I had them. They have lots of hidey-holes and are well-fed. I'm in the process of putting up a 120g reef tank, so I was hoping they could all stay cool until I can triple their real estate.

Today, at feeding time, I got a good look at this guy, and was horrified. Clearly, he got his butt kicked and it all happened within the last 12 hours.

I was able to catch him and get him behind a divider (which I'm sure was additionally stressful), so he's safe from the other three for the moment, but is there anything in particular that I can do to help ensure he recovers? How long do I keep them separate before trying reintegration? Do I even try reintegration?

I use Dr. Tim's First Defense with weekly water changes, but anything else I can do to help him along? I feel so bad for the poor little guy!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Best to place the bully fish in an acclimation box for at least two weeks allowing other to feed and heal and enjoy the tank environment in whole

 

[ShrimpBandit]

Best to place the bully fish in an acclimation box for at least two weeks allowing other to feed and heal and enjoy the tank environment in whole

I get that, but I'm not entirely sure who's the bully - and it may be more than one..?

I have a spare 10g that I can set up if I have to. Right now, the bullied one has 10g worth of space in the tank where he's acclimated and protected from the others... so maybe that's less stressful than moving him to QT?

Any hope for de-escalation in the bigger tank, or is this a re-homing sort of thing?

 

[Azedenkae]

I get that, but I'm not entirely sure who's the bully - and it may be more than one..?

Could be hard to say, but my bet would be the largest clownfish of the four.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I get that, but I'm not entirely sure who's the bully - and it may be more than one..?

I have a spare 10g that I can set up if I have to. Right now, the bullied one has 10g worth of space in the tank where he's acclimated and protected from the others... so maybe that's less stressful than moving him to QT?

Any hope for de-escalation in the bigger tank, or is this a re-homing sort of thing?

here is how you can find out. get some flakes or food ready. Place your cell phone on video mode and drop the food and hit record and walk away (fish know you're there and will be on best behavior). Come back in 60-75 minutes and then review the video. You are bound to see your culprit red handed