Dead Flameback

[crabgrass]

Found this guy on the bottom of the tank today. Introduced 2 weeks ago and I could tell he was getting picked on earlier and hid back with the clowns. However it didn’t seem extreme until I could see a mark today. Then a few hours later he was dead

I am not familiar with disease and would like to verify it wasn’t a disease

 

[vetteguy53081]

Found this guy on the bottom of the tank today. Introduced 2 weeks ago and I could tell he was getting picked on earlier and hid back with the clowns. However it didn’t seem extreme until I could see a mark today. Then a few hours later he was dead

I am not familiar with disease and would like to verify it wasn’t a disease

This fish is a victim of aggression and likely attacked continuously. What other fish are in the tank?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Found this guy on the bottom of the tank today. Introduced 2 weeks ago and I could tell he was getting picked on earlier and hid back with the clowns. However it didn’t seem extreme until I could see a mark today. Then a few hours later he was dead

I am not familiar with disease and would like to verify it wasn’t a disease

I see signs of a LOT of aggression here. It could have been the primary cause of death, or the fish could have had a pre existing condition that made it more prone to being a victim of aggression.

 

[crabgrass]

Thanks. He was introduced 2 weeks ago. I have about 15 fish in the tank but I suspect it was a group of Chromis. They seemed to only be focused on chasing/infighting with themselves, but when the Flameback was introduced they were semi- aggressive toward him (some chasing, etc). The Flameback mostly stayed towards back of tank with my Clowns that were granting him amnesty and will actively push back on Chomis.

I did not see any actual contact, but some chasing. It fed actively and there
were no physical signs of aggression or damage to the fish until this AM, when I noticed some of the white marks on its body. Then about 6 hours later it was dead (with even more marks).

Other usual suspects :
- Yellow Tang- 1 y/o at this point and has a couple confirmed kills under his belt. However he didn’t have any interest in Flameback at all. Only is concerned about other “Tang Looking” fish

- Royal Gramma - didn’t witness any aggression, but he is a bully in the tank along wirh the Chromis and Tang

Other than that I have some wrasses, fox face, and a handful of other smaller fish that I don’t think that are all non-aggressive or help pacify situations generally

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks. He was introduced 2 weeks ago. I have about 15 fish in the tank but I suspect it was a group of Chromis. They seemed to only be focused on chasing/infighting with themselves, but when the Flameback was introduced they were semi- aggressive toward him (some chasing, etc). The Flameback mostly stayed towards back of tank with my Clowns that were granting him amnesty and will actively push back on Chomis.

I did not see any actual contact, but some chasing. It fed actively and there
were no physical signs of aggression or damage to the fish until this AM, when I noticed some of the white marks on its body. Then about 6 hours later it was dead (with even more marks).

Other usual suspects :
- Yellow Tang- 1 y/o at this point and has a couple confirmed kills under his belt. However he didn’t have any interest in Flameback at all. Only is concerned about other “Tang Looking” fish

- Royal Gramma - didn’t witness any aggression, but he is a bully in the tank along wirh the Chromis and Tang

Other than that I have some wrasses, fox face, and a handful of other smaller fish that I don’t think that are all non-aggressive or help pacify situations generally

You have several suspects. My guess would be clowns who are devious especially in your presence followed by gramma then chromis. White marks may have been bite marks

 

[crabgrass]

Interesting theory. The clowns seem generally docile and are obsessed with hosting in two rock anemones (yes rock anemones.. even though I have a large rbta 2 feet from them).

The Female clown did live close to 3 years with me as a male before deciding to transition and then immediately murderer the other female.

So while seemingly peaceful I can agree with your devious statement.

Last question and this is really far out. Is it possible the Rock anemones damaged it? I read stories on here how rock anemones have killed other fish and we have tried to deter own clowns from messsing with them. But is it possible the Flameback got a little to close? I never witnessed him mess with the anenomies, but he spent all his time with the clowns and very very close proximity to the rock anenomies

 

[Tamberav]

No to rock nems... I had tiny gobies literally sit on them, they jump off like hot potatoes but the sting of those guys is weak. Assuming we mean rock flowers.

No idea what fish but could be any of those suspects.

 

[crabgrass]

No to rock nems... I had tiny gobies literally sit on them, they jump off like hot potatoes but the sting of those guys is weak. Assuming we mean rock flowers.

No idea what fish but could be any of those suspects.

Yeah - rock flowers. I figured it was a very big long shot. And the fact that the 2 clowns actively they to bury themselves it it + sleep at night and the nems have done nothing leads me to believe they aren’t the guilty party.

I am sad the Flameback didn’t make it and as its owner should have provided better protection. But appreciate the feedback and entertaining theories.