Lone survivor

[WillZReefer]

I had an outbreak of velvet in my tank that claimed all of my fish save for my Foxface. He has always been very peaceful and never bothered any of the other fish. However, after being alone in the tank for a couple of months he had become very territorial. I added a royal gramma and he wouldn’t let it out of the rocks. It died. I later tried a carpenters wrasse. Then I fed extra and put a mirror in the tank. Same results. The foxface literally just sat on the wrasse hiding place until it starved. I can’t change the aquascape due to corals and pulling him out would be a nightmare. Any other ideas? Thanks.

 

[danreef55]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. What size tank do you run?

 

[dedragon]

only other option is using a fish trap and waiting. You have to remove the problem fish to an acclimation box for a few weeks if not remove it from the tank completely

 

[Tamberav]

Fish trap to catch it but I would also let the tank go fallow before adding new fish, some risk here that velvet is still around in lower levels and I wouldn't risk that disease. Are you sure you had velvet and not ich?

 

[WillZReefer]

Here is a photo of what I had. Not the best pic but totally covered in white very quickly. I’ve added a UV sterilizer to the tank that’s been running now for a month or so

 

[dedragon]

Tamberev is right definitely fallow first. Put the cart before the horse there. Hard to tell in the pic but that looks like brook. Either way its going to need at least a 45 day fallow before anything else

Fallow periods: Going Fishless

Going Fallow The reason to go fallow (fishless) is to eliminate a fish disease from your DT (display tank). Going fallow works because you are denying the disease a fish host to feed upon, essentially starving it to death. In order to go fallow you must remove ALL fish from your DT. If just...

humble.fish

 

[WillZReefer]

Tamberev is right definitely fallow first. Put the cart before the horse there. Hard to tell in the pic but that looks like brook. Either way its going to need at least a 45 day fallow before anything else

Fallow periods: Going Fishless

Going Fallow The reason to go fallow (fishless) is to eliminate a fish disease from your DT (display tank). Going fallow works because you are denying the disease a fish host to feed upon, essentially starving it to death. In order to go fallow you must remove ALL fish from your DT. If just...

humble.fish

Maybe brook but my understanding is that’s predominantly a clownfish disease. In this case my clowns were the last to show signs. First was a bristletooth tang, then a lawnmower and a damsel. Regardless, I know fallow is the way to go. I do have a QT tank I can set up. If I do that, do you think that will solve the aggression issue when I re-introduce him to the main tank?

 

[Tamberav]

Maybe brook but my understanding is that’s predominantly a clownfish disease. In this case my clowns were the last to show signs. First was a bristletooth tang, then a lawnmower and a damsel. Regardless, I know fallow is the way to go. I do have a QT tank I can set up. If I do that, do you think that will solve the aggression issue when I re-introduce him to the main tank?

It works for some people to remove the aggressor and reintroduce later after other fish.

 

[WillZReefer]

It works for some people to remove the aggressor and reintroduce later after other fish.

Okay. Thanks much!

 

[littlefoxx]

Do you have a nori clip? Never had an aggressive foxface, they usually are shy. Wondering if its being protective of food. Maybe try a clip and see if that helps?

 

[WillZReefer]

Do you have a nori clip? Never had an aggressive foxface, they usually are shy. Wondering if its being protective of food. Maybe try a clip and see if that helps?

Yeah I feed him nori quite a bit. Made sure he was fat and happy when I added the last. Had him for 2 years and he’s always been timid. Still darts to the other side of the tank when I get close

 

[littlefoxx]

Yeah I feed him nori quite a bit. Made sure he was fat and happy when I added the last. Had him for 2 years and he’s always been timid. Still darts to the other side of the tank when I get close

Maybe he doesnt like small fish? Strange they are super shy usually!