New Ember Benny Hiding -help

Eva Rose · Jul 16, 2016

My new Ember Blenny (Cirripectes Stigmaticus) just finished qt and was added to my tank early this week. I saw him every day but no sign of him today.

I do have a lot of caves/hidey holes in my tank.
In qt he was eating LRS Reef Frenzy. Since he has been in the display he has stayed towards the back of the tank. He has scraped the tank walls daily and grabbed pods off the glass (in the back of the tank).
Should I be concerned -- Do these little guys hide a lot at first -so he could just be hiding? (My tank has a secure screen cover) Can he get enough nutrition with pods if it takes him awhile to grab the LRS mix again?
He seemed shy to get in the mix of my current livestock @ feeding time.

jsker · Jul 17, 2016

How is the fish doing today? Could be the fish needs time to get used to the new environment. Yes the pods are fine for nutrition. Give it some time

Cment · Jul 17, 2016

What other fish are in the tank? Any of them possibly harassing him? Blennys, like a lot of fish, tend to hid when introduced to a new environment. If he's eating pods he'll be fine for now. Once he feels more comfortable he'll come out.

Eva Rose · Jul 17, 2016

I have not seen him yet today or yesterday either. He can camouflage himself very well. Hopefully I will see him today. In the display he has been scraping tank walls & eating pods -no LRS. In QT he loved LRS.

photo is blenny in QT. In display he had more color-green & red so I felt like he was not stressed. Hope he is still alive and that he has had enough food.

46gReef · Jul 17, 2016

Totally normal when adding a fish to a system not see them for a few days sometimes even longer. I've a jaguar goby in my system for over 2 years and I've seen him maybe 6 times. That's an extreme example but it is normal for most fish to be incognito until acclimated to their surroundings.

Eva Rose · Jul 17, 2016

Cment said:
What other fish are in the tank? Any of them possibly harassing him? Blennys, like a lot of fish, tend to hid when introduced to a new environment. If he's eating pods he'll be fine for now. Once he feels more comfortable he'll come out.

jsker said:
How is the fish doing today? Could be the fish needs time to get used to the new environment. Yes the pods are fine for nutrition. Give it some time

Thanks -that makes me feel better!

Eva Rose · Jul 17, 2016

Cment said:
What other fish are in the tank? Any of them possibly harassing him? Blennys, like a lot of fish, tend to hid when introduced to a new environment. If he's eating pods he'll be fine for now. Once he feels more comfortable he'll come out.

My only 'harrassers' are my male Bartlett & the dominant female Bartlett. But they ignored him. They are more concerned with keeping my McCoskers flashers in line.
Most of my fish I have are not skittish and rush out when they see me. You're right- he is not going to be as quick to stay out like my anthias and wrasse.
This is making me feel more reassured...I just waited so very long to get an ember blenny. I am excited to have him in the tank & want him to do well.

eatbreakfast · Jul 18, 2016

Hiding behavior in ember blennies is not unusual at all when added to a new tank. I've had blennies be really shy for a couple of weeks, then all of a sudden pop up as if nothing happened.

Eva Rose · Jul 18, 2016

Thanks so much everyone! I was concerned when I didn't see him @all for a couple of days and the fact he is only eating pods in the display (when he ate prepared foods in QT).
You were right - he came out this evening to once again eat pods. He is very shy, as you stated. He came out about 4 times to eat pods but bolts into a rear cave if any fish get close. None of the fish are bothering him - just swimming by.

Just happy to see him - I look forward to him becoming comfortable in the tank. He is one of my most awaited tank additions! Thanks again for the answers to my questions and the support.