Tailspot Blenny Stressed

[MrPiGuy]

I have a tailspot blenny which is showing its stress markings. A picture of it below for reference.

The backstory to it is that I received a 3 year old 75 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump from someone and the blenny ended up being the only appropriate fish for the tank. The others were sold (one perished in the move) and now it is only him and a couple hermits for now. He has had these stress spots since transferring the tank to my basement a 4 days ago (three whole days). Also, he eats fine (marine cuisine and pellets) and there doesn't seem to be any sign of disease or parasites. I do have a skimmer, plenty of water flow and surface agitation (two wavemakers with one pointed toward surface).

My water parameters are fine but since people would want to know them anyways, they are as follows..

pH: 8.2
Nitrates: 10 (down from 20 upon initial set up)
Salinity: 1.026
Temp: 78
Nitrite and Ammonia: 0

It is FOWLR for now so don't need others.


My question is should I give him something that will help reduce the stress or just keep observing his behavior/physical body and wait for it to go away? If there is something I can give him, what would that be?

 

[olonmv]

My sons tailspot gets these patterns when it’s close to its bedtime. Does your do this at lights off?

 

[threebuoys]

I think all you can do now is observe for any issues that might arise. Nothing obvious from the one picture and info you provided to be concerned about.

 

[MrPiGuy]

Yes it does happen when the lights go off but this was also before lights went off. They did temporarily go away when I fed it yesterday so maybe we are making progress?

 

[MrPiGuy]

I think all you can do now is observe for any issues that might arise. Nothing obvious from the one picture and info you provided to be concerned about.

My initial response but wanted a second opinion. Thanks!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My initial response but wanted a second opinion. Thanks!

I would wait a few more days - I don't see any treatable issue here and the fish may just need to settle in a bit longer.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agreeing with Jay, other than a little thin- nothing jumps out in terms of blemish or disease. I question if your numbers are true from your tests and not false readings. You can if possible take a good size water sample to a trusted LFS that does not use Api kits and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours

 

[MrPiGuy]

Agreeing with Jay, other than a little thin- nothing jumps out in terms of blemish or disease. I question if your numbers are true from your tests and not false readings. You can if possible take a good size water sample to a trusted LFS that does not use Api kits and see what readings they come up with and to compare with yours

Yeah I did know that. It definitely wouldn’t hurt to at least check and see. As of today it seems he is all settled in and the stress has gone away. And yeah that picture doesn’t do it justice but he is actually a little fatty. Lol