One Spot Foxface ?'s

[drstratton]

I just received 2 new fish yesterday a One Spot Foxface and a Starry Blenny. The Foxface did not look to good in the bag, he was floating on his side and looked gray & splotchy, the water seemed cold, I set the bag in my QT to equalize the temp. at that point it seemed to perk up slightly. I decided to do the floating method of acclimation. It took him quite a while to perk up and then he was swimming in the tank like crazy, it seemed like every other time I checked on him his condition would change, slow moving to fast moving and the color was still not vibrant. I attributed this to stress. This morning I went down and slowly started to light the room, but nothing right over the tank. He was at the most gray & splotchy I had seen yet. I emailed the seller to ask if the gray color was something to be expected with this fish. I was told that yes, they can turn gray when stressed and when the lights go out to blend in to the rocks. Anyway, I really don't know if anything is wrong with this little guy other than stress and that is stressing me out. I looked at his gills concerned that maybe he had gotten ammonia poisoning while in transport and acclimation. They don't appear to be red. I can see red under his skin buy his tail and up his body a ways, but I think that is just because he's so pale. I'm planning on doing TTM with Prazi on the 2nd and 4th transfers. I'm adding Selcon to the food, but I don't think that they have eaten too much yet. I'm a bit out of my depth here. I have a picture of him from a little while ago, he was very gray again and resting in the back of the tank. I checked back again and he was swimming like crazy and his color was once again a little brighter. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster and he's only been here one day!

I'm sorry about the focus of this picture, I took several and this was the best and I think it represents the color!

 

[shimps1]

As long as he's eating I wouldn't be too worried. Foxfaces are known for changing their coloration like that based on their mood. When they are blotchy like that, they're not happy.

 

[drstratton]

As long as he's eating I wouldn't be too worried. Foxfaces are known for changing their coloration like that based on their mood. When they are blotchy like that, they're not happy.

Thank you, that is good to know! Not knowing about the color changing beforehand is just a bit unsettling! I think he might have eaten some Nori that I placed in the tank! I'm going to offer some Mysis again and see if he's interested.

 

[chaoha]

Mine is the gray color every morning when the lights first come on and he colors up quick. I feed mine nori in the am and LRF at night

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

When I had my one spot fox face he would chance to that picture every night, or if he was stressed. When mine came in from shipping he looked like that, but after a couple hours he looked his normal self. As long as he is eating and does not have any diseases he will be fine.

 

[drstratton]

Mine is the gray color every morning when the lights first come on and he colors up quick. I feed mine nori in the am and LRF at night

Thank you! I just offered him some Mysis soaked in Selcon and he ate that! Now I just need to make sure my Starry is eating!

 

[drstratton]

When I had my one spot fox face he would chance to that picture every night, or if he was stressed. When mine came in from shipping he looked like that, but after a couple hours he looked his normal self. As long as he is eating and does not have any diseases he will be fine.

Thank you! I really had no idea about the color changing, this hobby is full of surprises! Would yours go through bouts of swimming up and down against the glass? Mine was doing that and it just about wore me out just watching him!

 

[Pfisherman]

Also called a blotched rabbitfish. They came when hiding out or upset, they will also live in corals like a clownfish. Mine used to be hosted by a three green toadstool.

 

[drstratton]

Also called a blotched rabbitfish. They came when hiding out or upset, they will also live in corals like a clownfish. Mine used to be hosted by a three green toadstool.

Thanks! I guess I need to figure out a coral for him. Interesting little fish!

 

[Humblefish]

+1 to the comments above about them looking blotchy when stressed and at night. Also be mindful these fish have (mildly) venomous spines.

 

[Pfisherman]

Thanks! I guess I need to figure out a coral for him. Interesting little fish!

You also need to know that this is not a little fish. Compare the growth rate of this fish to the growth of a freshwater oscar

Also my spell check went crazy on me, here is what I intended to say in my original post..

Alsocalled a blotched rabbitfish. They camo when hiding out or upset, they will also live in corals like a clownfish. Mine used to be hosted by a steve tyree green toadstool.

 

[drstratton]

Thanks, I realize that he won't stay this size! Spell check causes me problems also! I remember when I was reading about them that they were also called a blotched rabbitfish, I just didn't understand what it meant. Now I know! Thanks again for the info, I appreciate it!

 

[drstratton]

+1 to the comments above about them looking blotchy when stressed and at night. Also be mindful these fish have (mildly) venomous spines.

Thank you! I have a colander for doing TTM and gloves for when I need to stick my hands in the tank!

 

[drstratton]

I think my Starry finally ate some of the Nori that I placed in the tank, yay! I will put some more in when I turn the lights on later.

I was wondering if I should paint the bottom, back and 2 sides of my quarantine tanks? I'm using two 10g tanks for TTM. Would this help reduce stress?

I'm glad that I decided to use the 10g instead of the 5g buckets I used for my firefish as I think the Foxface would go nuts in a smaller space.

 

[Humblefish]

I was wondering if I should paint the bottom, back and 2 sides of my quarantine tanks? I'm using two 10g tanks for TTM. Would this help reduce stress?

Not a bad idea. You could also just tape brown paper or something (not as permanent).

 

[drstratton]

Not a bad idea. You could also just tape brown paper or something (not as permanent).

I thought about paper, but the air stones would make short work of that. I'm trying to find a happy medium, enough air to fracture the top of the water, but not so much that it sends water all over!

 

[nrhk]

Foxfire changes color all the time..I had mine for 8 months now. Whenever I change water or have my kids checking the tank..it hides and smooches..it's ready to protect itself by putting its spikes up to sting intruders

 

[drstratton]

Foxfire changes color all the time..I had mine for 8 months now. Whenever I change water or have my kids checking the tank..it hides and smooches..it's ready to protect itself by putting its spikes up to sting intruders

Lol, I'm seeing that with mine! One moment he's fine and the next he's a deathly color again!

 

[drstratton]

Well, I just did TTM to the next tank, I was wondering how well he would do! I expected him to splotch out, but I'm happy to report that he took it very well and his color is vibrant. Hopefully, he's getting used to having me in there! The Starry also seems to be doing well!

 

[nrhk]

As you spend more time with him...he will even eat from your hand..foxface have very nice personality..you just need to build that bonding with him.