My One Spot Foxface has been going through a cycle. He will be a very bright yellow for a day or two then his color starts to look dull. Then after a couple of days he will shed his slime coat and be beautiful again but then the cycle starts again. He has been doing the this for a few weeks now. He look healthy otherwise and eats like a pig. No other fish in my tank are having this or any other issues. I feed LRS Reef Fenzy, New Life Spectrum pellets, Nori and live macro along with our local made club food. So he gets a variety throughout the week. Is this normal or is this something I should worry about?
Foxface Slime
- Thread starter EDO
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eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
Any abnormalities with the slime coat are indication that he is not 100%, but doesn't necessarily mean that there is something to worry about. Has he been scratching on the rocks? Have new fish or corals been added to the tank? Is there an anemone in the tank? Is the heater in the tank or in a sump or overflow? Is the temperature fluctuating throughout the day? Any one of these or even other factors could shed more light on the matter.
I have not seen him scratching on the rocks. He was doing this before any other additions (3 anthias and a couple of corals). There is a anemone but is is till adjusting and pulled itself into the rocks. I have one heater in the sump and one in the overflow. The temp may fluctuate a degree but is mostly at 78.
Bugsy_Barboza
Active Member
Ive wondered the same thing. My foxface seems to be beautiful some days and washed out other days. Seems like its a never ending process. I did always wonder if my nem had anything to do with it, seeing that his(foxface) favorite spot in the rocks is where the nem stays(around the opening) but mine eats great. So im not that worried. Following although tho.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
The slime coat is the first line of defense for a fish's immune system. It should be evenly dispensed and thick enough to ward off basic parasite attacks and glancing stings from corals and anemones. If it is "under the weather" it will produce an uneven amount, similarly to the way our body will produce more mucus for us when we are under the weather.
Being cold blooded their immune system is susceptible to temp changes, as well as diet and bullying.
The slime coat can also be damaged from more direct stings, attacks from bullies, and scraping on rocks and equipment.
The scrathing is a sign of some external parasite.
Being cold blooded their immune system is susceptible to temp changes, as well as diet and bullying.
The slime coat can also be damaged from more direct stings, attacks from bullies, and scraping on rocks and equipment.
The scrathing is a sign of some external parasite.
3dees
Well-Known Member
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
All fish produce a slime coat, and if everything is fine you won't see it. When it is being unevenly produced it is visible by becoming opaque patchiness.
