Strange Fox Face behavior.

[Dom]

I've never seen this with my Fox Face....

I went to the den to check the tank and found the Fox Face darting recklessly from one side of the tank to the other.

It has been battling with two Tomato clown fish over territory, but now, they have become very aggressive toward the Fox Face since laying eggs.

This fish is very stressed and a danger to the clowns.

Any ideas as to what I should do, if anything?

@vetteguy53081

@Jay Hemdal

 

[Dom]

Bump.

 

[Fish Fan]

@vetteguy53081 was active this evening, maybe he'll see this and can help.

Good luck!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've never seen this with my Fox Face....

I went to the den to check the tank and found the Fox Face darting recklessly from one side of the tank to the other.

It has been battling with two Tomato clown fish over territory, but now, they have become very aggressive toward the Fox Face since laying eggs.

This fish is very stressed and a danger to the clowns.

Any ideas as to what I should do, if anything?

@vetteguy53081

@Jay Hemdal

Tomato and maroon clowns have teeth and will use them and can get vicious to the point where it will bite your hand without hesitation. They are likely territorial aggressive and need to be isolated from foxface.

 

[winzig]

how big is the tank?

 

[higher99]

I’ve seen similar patterns on my tailspot blenny. I think this is some type stress patterns.

I’ve see a foxface at a LFS start acting skittish and dart for cover when you get a little too close. It had the same patterns. The yellow turned dang near brown.

 

[Tangdora]

How long has the fox face been in the tank

 

[Dom]

Tomato and maroon clowns have teeth and will use them and can get vicious to the point where it will bite your hand without hesitation. They are likely territorial aggressive and need to be isolated from foxface.

And I failed to mention that the Tomatoes are currently tending eggs too.

 

[Dom]

how big is the tank?

125 gallon FOWLR.

 

[winzig]

if they are tending eggs they will be killers!

 

[Dom]

I’ve seen similar patterns on my tailspot blenny. I think this is some type stress patterns.

I’ve see a foxface at a LFS start acting skittish and dart for cover when you get a little too close. It had the same patterns. The yellow turned dang near brown.

Yes. I thought it was camouflage for some reason. It makes it hard to see it when there is daylight in the room but the lights haven't come on yet.

I've read that it can be a stress reaction.

 

[Dom]

How long has the fox face been in the tank

All inhabitants (2) Tomato, Fox Face, Oscellaris were placed in the tank at the same time from a smaller tank. That happened 2/14/26.

 

[Dom]

if they are tending eggs they will be killers!

Yes... extremely aggressive right now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

And I failed to mention that the Tomatoes are currently tending eggs too.

Even more of a reason their behavior would get to this point

 

[UMALUM]

Drop a piece of pvc in there big enough for him to retreat into. It won't take him long to find it. Just a FYI that they will fly when freaked out so watch yourself. Mine came out on me last year and barely missed my face.

 

[Dom]

Drop a piece of pvc in there big enough for him to retreat into. It won't take him long to find it. Just a FYI that they will fly when freaked out so watch yourself. Mine came out on me last year and barely missed my face.

There is a 4" PVC coupling where he usually spends his nights. once I chased him from the corner where the clowns are, he found his way back to it.

Very strange.

 

[UMALUM]

There is a 4" PVC coupling where he usually spends his nights. once I chased him from the corner where the clowns are, he found his way back to it.

Very strange.

If you have a magnetic frag rack or box you can place it over or around the host. That might draw a little attention away. I use a mag float when my springeri are putting down.

 

[Dom]

If you have a magnetic frag rack or box you can place it over or around the host. That might draw a little attention away. I use a mag float when my springeri are putting down.

I've added a live rock structure around the PVC. Lots of hiding space for the Fox Face and Oscellaris.