Scratching fish

[phil bevilacqua]

I have a lawnmower Blenny in my tank now for about six months and he scratches on the ground every day for the last six months that I have had him… He eats like a pig and has a large belly pretty much at all times and shows no signs of being sick whatsoever he just scratches all the time. Could he possibly have dry skin and just be itchy?… LOL no but for real what do you guys think ? Thank you

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I have a lawnmower Blenny in my tank now for about six months and he scratches on the ground every day for the last six months that I have had him… He eats like a pig and has a large belly pretty much at all times and shows no signs of being sick whatsoever he just scratches all the time. Could he possibly have dry skin and just be itchy?… LOL no but for real what do you guys think ? Thank you

are there any other fish in with him? Have you had any issues with other fish? Typically flashing would mean a protozoan issue. Has the flashing Increased over the last 6 mos or has he been pretty consistent?Any other symptoms like heavy breathing or anything?’m not sure a Blenny is capable of dry skin though.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Mine is also big and fat and happy, but does not scratch—or “flash” (“flashing”), which could indicate a problem, especially if it is happening “all the time” (as you stated). A video would be ideal, if you could manage to do that. Are there any other fish in the tank— either exhibiting or not exhibiting the same behavior?

 

[phil bevilacqua]

I have a few tangs and wrasse All fine. He scratches the same as always .. The Blenny does breathe a little harder than I would think but I always just assumed it’s because his belly is so fat that he’s full Lol

 

[Michael Gray]

I have a few tangs and wrasse All fine. He scratches the same as always .. The Blenny does breathe a little harder than I would think but I always just assumed it’s because his belly is so fat that he’s full Lol

What happened with this

 

[JumboShrimp]

I gave my Lawnmower Blenny away to a friend starting a tank; he’s still alive and kicking.

 

[phil bevilacqua]

What happened with this

He still scratches and eats everything. Lol

 

[Michael Gray]

So it's safe to say bo ich. Cause all my fish were qt. And mine is a fat hog. Yesterday noticed he scratched a few times. So I got scared and was so upset. As I have 2 at tangs in next 2 weeks. That's just a set up for death. Lol. I'm worried. But he eats algae like a beast

 

[Michael Gray]

One of my original clowns. The smaller one. Sits against the back wall right below the tunze powerhead. It's been his spot since hes been there. Super shy. But during feeding he would atleast come eat then go back. But now he stays there dont notice him eating much so again this adds to my scare of ich. Even though all have been qt. ever since wrasses been in and tearing food up. Seems like hes shy. The larger clown is a beast and hangs with wrasses and pigs out.

 

[Radman73]

One of my original clowns. The smaller one. Sits against the back wall right below the tunze powerhead. It's been his spot since hes been there. Super shy. But during feeding he would atleast come eat then go back. But now he stays there dont notice him eating much so again this adds to my scare of ich. Even though all have been qt. ever since wrasses been in and tearing food up. Seems like hes shy. The larger clown is a beast and hangs with wrasses and pigs out.

My female clown explores more than the male too and always has. Pretty normal behavior IMO. I stress a little about ich as well given how hard I worked to QT fish that came in. Just can never be sure in this hobby. Like many, I don't QT CUC, just a risk I'm willing to take. But a risk all the same.

 

[Michael Gray]

My female clown explores more than the male too and always has. Pretty normal behavior IMO. I stress a little about ich as well given how hard I worked to QT fish that came in. Just can never be sure in this hobby. Like many, I don't QT CUC, just a risk I'm willing to take. But a risk all the same.

Exact same boat. Everything was qt. Snails weren't. Corals were dipped. So it's a gamble.

The smaller just sits in back. He used to come out to eat. But now he stays. So I tried so hard to get him to eat. Finally I saw him eat like 1 or 2 brine pieces. But I watched him explore to the front corner where I usually feed randomly. And the larger one kind of did some wierd thing to the smaller ones rear end or tail like nibbles or something. And small one went back against year overflow area...

 

[Radman73]

Exact same boat. Everything was qt. Snails weren't. Corals were dipped. So it's a gamble.

The smaller just sits in back. He used to come out to eat. But now he stays. So I tried so hard to get him to eat. Finally I saw him eat like 1 or 2 brine pieces. But I watched him explore to the front corner where I usually feed randomly. And the larger one kind of did some wierd thing to the smaller ones rear end or tail like nibbles or something. And small one went back against year overflow area...

Yeah, female's the boss. My male comes out from the back left of the tank now and then. I feed into high flow so the food disperses. This gives timid eaters a better chance to get food without being intimidated. It also has the potential to waste some food.