Orchid dottyback fin damage

[SonyaBAZ]

I just got this captive bred orchid dottyback on Friday. No issues on first inspection. Today I noticed it’s left pectoral fin is torn up pretty bad. It was hard to get a picture of it because it is barely coming out of its home and when it does it doesn’t go far. I never really saw anyone bullying it and the only fish I see that has some fin damage as well is my fire fish. I’m thinking they got into a fight because they both like to live under the same rock. Do you think the fin will recover? My male clownfish got beat up pretty bad while being paired with the female and he healed well but nothing to this extent.

 

[DeniseAndy]

What is she housed with besides the clowns? They could beat her up pretty good. How large of a tank and are there lots of hiding places?

 

[Big G]

Ouch! That one is torn all the way to the body. And the rays look damaged too. Hard to say if that will completely heal. Should heal a lot, but might not look like new.

 

[SonyaBAZ]

Housed with 2 clowns, melanarus wrasse, helfrichi firefish, orange spot goby and pistol shrimp and a baby yellow tang (maybe 2”). Tank is Red Sea 260 so 69 gallons. I think it has lots of hiding spots it’s in and out of the rock through multiple holes.

 

[DeniseAndy]

As long as it is healthy and does not get infected, it should recover. However, any bullying and it may develop an infection or hide too much and not eat. I hope it recovers and is happy.

 

[Keithb22]

Just experienced this with my orchid dottyback back getting beat to heck by my saddleback clown. He is getting better but missing half a fin and some meat on his sides.

 

[SonyaBAZ]

Just experienced this with my orchid dottyback back getting beat to heck by my saddleback clown. He is getting better but missing half a fin and some meat on his sides.

Oh man! No meat damage here thank goodness. I’m kind of wondering if it was a hermit crab. I saw the dottyback take a big chunk of food into his home yesterday. Wondering if a hermit went on the hunt last night... He’s been out swimming and ate today just fine. No one seems interested in him. Thanks guys. I’ll make sure he gets some selcon with his food hopefully that helps him heal.