Firefish fin issues

[Brad Coughlan]

I've had this firefish for a year now, its fins have never looked great, and still to this day they have never really looked perfect. Sometimes they grow back, and then eventually disappear again, I honestly am unsure why this is happening:

 

[Jekyl]

First thought is aggression. Try setting something to record and then leaving the room. Fish behave when being watched.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've had this firefish for a year now, its fins have never looked great, and still to this day they have never really looked perfect. Sometimes they grow back, and then eventually disappear again, I honestly am unsure why this is happening:

What other fish are in the tank with it?
This does not appear as your typical fin rot but I see what may be representative of bacterial at the end of the tail and need clearer pics of that area

 

[Brad Coughlan]

What other fish are in the tank with it?
This does not appear as your typical fin rot but I see what may be representative of bacterial at the end of the tail and need clearer pics of that area

Tank mates are 2 clowns 1 tailspot blenny, cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, hermits and in terms of pests well there's a fairly sized bristleworm, although to my understanding they don't go after fish except fire and eunice worms

I'll try get some clearer pics tomorrow when lights come back on

 

[Brad Coughlan]

First thought is aggression. Try setting something to record and then leaving the room. Fish behave when being watched.

I'll give that a go

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tank mates are 2 clowns 1 tailspot blenny, cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp, hermits and in terms of pests well there's a fairly sized bristleworm, although to my understanding they don't go after fish except fire and eunice worms

I'll try get some clearer pics tomorrow when lights come back on

Clowns are my prime suspect and often on their best behavior UNTIL. . . you walk away

 

[Brad Coughlan]

What other fish are in the tank with it?
This does not appear as your typical fin rot but I see what may be representative of bacterial at the end of the tail and need clearer pics of that area

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fish looks to be victim of aggression and the question is which tank mate?

 

[Brad Coughlan]

Fish looks to be victim of aggression and the question is which tank mate?

Sounds realistic.
Tank mates are 2 clowns, 1 tailspot blenny. Could it be inverts?

 

[NonstopSoda]

most tailspots are usually pretty peaceful but clowns are a different story... prime suspect would probably be the clowns. I dont think shirmp would go after a healthy fish other than to clean them. I havent had any peppermint shrimp though so i dont know about them

 

[Brad Coughlan]

most tailspots are usually pretty peaceful but clowns are a different story... prime suspect would probably be the clowns. I dont think shirmp would go after a healthy fish other than to clean them. I havent had any peppermint shrimp though so i dont know about them

The firefish does seem to sleep in the same cave as the peppermint shrimp

If it is the clowns, is there anything I can do to stop it? Thinking about it, it doesn't sound like there is

 

[NonstopSoda]

The firefish does seem to sleep in the same cave as the peppermint shrimp

If it is the clowns, is there anything I can do to stop it? Thinking about it, it doesn't sound like there is

I dont know if theres a way to stop or lessen clown aggression other than just relocating them to a new tank. I think peppermint shrimp are more nocturnal so it honestly might be the shrimp but again I dont know to much about them

 

[Brad Coughlan]

I dont know if theres a way to stop or lessen clown aggression other than just relocating them to a new tank. I think peppermint shrimp are more nocturnal so it honestly might be the shrimp but again I dont know to much about them

The peppermint usually is more active at night, firefish goes into his cave as soon as lights go out

 

[NonstopSoda]

I would say try to catch a sneaky look to see if the clowns are being aggressive, if not then i would assume the shrimp is the culprit