Red firefish question

[NewReefAdventure]

So I'm trying to figure out what to do and would like opinions/guidance. We had originally purchased 3 firefish - but after a few days only ever saw 2 at a time. It has been a few months now and they've seemed completely fine. Yesterday I woke up to one being snacked on by hermits and the other swimming above him. He vanished the rest of the day. He finally came out this afternoon, but he looks like his bottom fins are tattered and there may be something on his side. I tried to snag a picture but it's hard to tell anything and he's back in hiding. I did notice the scopas tang nip him twice in this time

So questions... being the firefish was supposed to be schooling, will he be ok alone? Or is he being picked on because he is alone? Should I move the scopas to the refugium tank for a little? Or try to catch the firefish so he can be safe? Or......??? All thoughts/guidance is greatly appreciated!

It's a 105 display tank another 40 under. Phosphate slightly high - all else within range.

 

[SlugSnorter]

So I'm trying to figure out what to do and would like opinions/guidance. We had originally purchased 3 firefish - but after a few days only ever saw 2 at a time. It has been a few months now and they've seemed completely fine. Yesterday I woke up to one being snacked on by hermits and the other swimming above him. He vanished the rest of the day. He finally came out this afternoon, but he looks like his bottom fins are tattered and there may be something on his side. I tried to snag a picture but it's hard to tell anything and he's back in hiding. I did notice the scopas tang nip him twice in this time

So questions... being the firefish was supposed to be schooling, will he be ok alone? Or is he being picked on because he is alone? Should I move the scopas to the refugium tank for a little? Or try to catch the firefish so he can be safe? Or......??? All thoughts/guidance is greatly appreciated!

It's a 105 display tank another 40 under. Phosphate slightly high - all else within range.

they could have fought. Firefish are best left in pairs or single IMO.

 

[DaJMasta]

They are sometimes sold as schooling, but they are not. They will get along as juveniles and then will fight pretty aggressively with each other (tattered fins are a telltale sign, another would be one sleeping against the bottom of the rock work at night instead of in a hole) unless a male female pair.

It is possible for them to live with another that isn't a mate, but it basically hinges on being harassed by a different fish, best I can tell - they will sort of band together out of necessity and limit the infighting.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[NewReefAdventure]

They are sometimes sold as schooling, but they are not. They will get along as juveniles and then will fight pretty aggressively with each other (tattered fins are a telltale sign, another would be one sleeping against the bottom of the rock work at night instead of in a hole) unless a male female pair.

It is possible for them to live with another that isn't a mate, but it basically hinges on being harassed by a different fish, best I can tell - they will sort of band together out of necessity and limit the infighting.

Sorry for your loss.

Oh thank you for this. Sounds like may have been two males and just decided had enough of each other. Is it possible he'll heal now that there's just one? Is the scopas picking on him a result of him possibly being injured?

 

[DaJMasta]

They will likely heal up just fine if they are eating normally and the water quality is good - depending on how much damage there is to a fin, it may not regrow perfectly, but they do regrow. Could be worth keeping an eye on him for discoloration that could indicate a bacterial infection.

 

[NewReefAdventure]

They will likely heal up just fine if they are eating normally and the water quality is good - depending on how much damage there is to a fin, it may not regrow perfectly, but they do regrow. Could be worth keeping an eye on him for discoloration that could indicate a bacterial infection.

Thank you