Bicolor Dottyback got bit!

[Blue1127]

Our bicolor dottyback has a large chunk taken out of the back of her. It must have happened last night, but we have no idea who would have done it to her as we have a relatively peaceful tank.

Can anyone suggest what we need to do? Or is it a lost cause

We've never had this happen before, so we figured we would just ask for advice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[DLHDesign]

Can you capture the fish and transfer it into a QT? Odds are that it will likely need antibacterial treatments; certainly will need observation.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Who are the tankmates including inverts?

Try to treat for a bacterial infection.

 

[Blue1127]

Tankmates include:

1 other Dottyback
2 Bicolor Blenny
2 Clowns
Hippo and Yellow Tang
Foxface
Dartfish
6-Line Wrasse
A few damsels

Inverts - hermit crabs, small snails, 2 emerald crabs and a few sally lightfoot crabs

We have a QT tank to put her in, so we will do that.

The only thing I'm thinking is it was one of the lightfoot crabs. But they don't seem large enough to take that big of a chunk out of the back of her.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Tankmates include:

1 other Dottyback
2 Bicolor Blenny
2 Clowns
Hippo and Yellow Tang
Foxface
Dartfish
6-Line Wrasse
A few damsels

Inverts - hermit crabs, small snails, 2 emerald crabs and a few sally lightfoot crabs

We have a QT tank to put her in, so we will do that.

The only thing I'm thinking is it was one of the lightfoot crabs. But they don't seem large enough to take that big of a chunk out of the back of her.

More than one dottyback, a sixline, and damsels make for a volatile tank.

 

[Humblefish]

A MB bath will help heal the injury: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/

Or an acriflavine bath would be an acceptable substitute: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acriflavine.282887/

After the bath, place the fish in a QT and treat with antibiotics: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/

 

[Humblefish]

FWIW; my money is on one of the Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

 

[Blue1127]

Thank you all so much for this information. I’m hoping she makes it. The picture doesn’t really do the bite justice.

On the plus side, she seems pretty normal. She ate when we fed her and seems to be swimming around the best she can!

 

[DLHDesign]

On the plus side, she seems pretty normal. She ate when we fed her and seems to be swimming around the best she can!

Good signs. If she's eating, odds are higher that recovery is happening. She's got a nice vacation-for-one ahead of her, at least.