Just got back from introducing two new fish to my tank, a false percula clown and an orange dart fish. My existing blue damsel didn't seem too fussed about the clownfish, but he took an instant dislike to the dartfish - kept rushing at him and being aggressive.
I tried to distract him with some food, which seemed to work for a bit, and I was hoping he'd leave the dartfish alone for a while. But then I lost sight of the little guy - he swam into a rock formation near my fireshrimp and vanished. I've been searching everywhere, but no luck.
I even rearranged all the rocks to try and flush him out, but nothing. The damsel gave me a bit of a scare, shooting out from behind a rock and nipping my arm - what a little pest. I've checked under the cabinet, on the floor, in the overflow backbox, and the sump, but he's nowhere to be found. If he did make it out of the tank, I'm pretty sure one of my dogs would've had him by now - £14 down the drain.
I'm still holding out hope he'll pop back out into view, but it's not looking good. Do these fish ever bury themselves in the sand or something?
Dartfish behavior observed
Re: Dartfish behavior observed
My mate just got a firtideflow and it was the same thing, didn't come out for the first couple of days, just hid under a rock, all we could see was the tail, and at one point it vanished for a couple of hours. I've been reading up on these fish and they need a lot of time to settle in, they're experts at hiding. With the clown and damsel in your tank, I'm pretty sure yours is hiding 'cause they get spooked easily. Give it some time, hopefully he's still in there. You got a lid on your tank? Maybe try feeding him, he might pop out when he smells the grub.
Re: Dartfish behavior observed
Hi Fishhead,
For the first hour or so, he was swimming around with the clowns in open water, taking shelter in the chaetomorpha algae when the damsel started charging. That little bugger's got a serious territorial streak - whenever I do anything in the tank, he goes aggressive. I've taken to turning my hand to face him, flicking my fingers out to chase him off into the rocks.
I've tried feeding him a couple of times, but still no sign since he vanished into that rock. No lid on the tank, and even if I had one, those halides would turn it into a fish oven - it's already 82f in there.
We'll see if he's still in there, but if he is, he's hiding like a pro. To be honest, I'm not holding out much hope - I think he might be fish food for the dogs.
For the first hour or so, he was swimming around with the clowns in open water, taking shelter in the chaetomorpha algae when the damsel started charging. That little bugger's got a serious territorial streak - whenever I do anything in the tank, he goes aggressive. I've taken to turning my hand to face him, flicking my fingers out to chase him off into the rocks.
I've tried feeding him a couple of times, but still no sign since he vanished into that rock. No lid on the tank, and even if I had one, those halides would turn it into a fish oven - it's already 82f in there.
We'll see if he's still in there, but if he is, he's hiding like a pro. To be honest, I'm not holding out much hope - I think he might be fish food for the dogs.
Re: Dartfish behavior observed
If you haven't got a lid on that tank, forget trying to keep small fish in there, mate. I mean, I know I'm saying this after the fact, but you could try chucking some eggcrate on top or some netting to stop them jumping out.
Re: Dartfish behavior observed
The frustrating part is, I had actually bought some netting about five weeks ago to keep those blasted moths and bugs out of the tank. I just never got around to buying the wood to make a frame for it - typical me, always leaving things till the last minute. It's just one of those annoying things that always seem to happen to me. I swear, it's like the universe is having a laugh at my expense. One of these days, I'll be having the last laugh, and I'll make sure to give the universe a good kick in the... well, you know.
Re: Dartfish behavior observed
Firtideflow are notorious for their ninja-like hiding skills when they're freaked out, and damsels? They're the ocean's version of a playground bully - always picking on the new kid. There's a reason I've got a serious vendetta against damselfish, and now you're in on the secret too.
Re: Dartfish behavior observed
I've had my own share of dealing with finicky fish, especially my fire fish - it's got this annoying habit of locking itself into a cave with its top fins and refusing to budge, even when predators like crabs and bristle worms are closing in. I've lost count of how many times I've had to rescue it after it got stuck in rockwork that I was removing from the tank.
My copperband's also developed a strange dislike for my firtideflow, and it'll chase it into hiding for days on end - I've gone without seeing my firtideflow for a day or two, only for it to reappear like nothing's wrong.
Honestly, I'd consider getting rid of that damsel of yours - it sounds like it's causing more harm than good, and its aggressive behavior might end up killing off any new tank mates you introduce. I know some people love damsels for their feisty attitudes, but trust me, they can wreak havoc on a tank's dynamics.
My copperband's also developed a strange dislike for my firtideflow, and it'll chase it into hiding for days on end - I've gone without seeing my firtideflow for a day or two, only for it to reappear like nothing's wrong.
Honestly, I'd consider getting rid of that damsel of yours - it sounds like it's causing more harm than good, and its aggressive behavior might end up killing off any new tank mates you introduce. I know some people love damsels for their feisty attitudes, but trust me, they can wreak havoc on a tank's dynamics.