I bought a Black Cap Jawfish on Sunday and acclimated him/her to my 75 gallon reef tank. It ate soon afterwards when I stick fed it two pieces of krill, I was happy to see that it was hungry enough to eat and happy enough to be settled in enough to eat. The next morning I woke up to find it being chased by my Clark Clownfish and many of its fins had been torn (probably from the clown). I immediately removed it and put it in my 30 gallon (with my red hairy legged hermit) until I figured out what to do. I ended up bringing my clownfish to the LFS who glady took it back (I have always had problems with it being very territorial and wanting to get more fish in the future, this would be a problem). Once I had the clownfish gone I put the Jawfish back in the 75 thinking now it would be happy with no more bully and plenty of sand bed (roughly 3 inches). Well I noticed it hanging out a lot by the powerheads and it must have got its tail caught because the next day I noticed it's back fin (tail) was gone. I have tried to feed it a number of times since Sunday but it's not interested. He's swimming around and hiding out but he doesn't look to happy and it has yet to eat again. Any suggestions? Has anyone had experience with these? I read they are hardy and should be eating like three times a day. HELP!!
Black Cap Jawfish HELP!
- Thread starter vteel
- Start date
I've seen it before, with jaw fishes. they don't make it with those symptoms, most of the time. you can try Melafix and water changes. it's not that anyone or anything ripped his tail off, it's a bacterial infection that made him loose it. with those you have to make sure they have been at the store for few weeks and look good and eat well before you want to take them home.
Unfortunately he's gone. He looked really good at the pet store when I bought him, very colorful and full of life. I think the stress from being beat up by my Clown fish to going from one tank to another then back was too much stress in too short a time. Thanks for the feedback. I need a fish break for awhile, just let Mr. Eel enjoy his space before I get another fish. 