Ick! Need Cleaner Shrimp STAT!
The territorial battles in my reef tank continue today. Lots more Icky white specks on the Achilles Tang and Foxface. I see a new puncture wound on the Achilles as well. But all fish are alive and moving. My friend Thom the Ichthyogenius (more on that later) stopped by yesterday to pick up some fresh RO/DI mixed Salt Water (to 1.023 specific gravity) for a couple of his clients so I got to get his take on the situation.
My other buddy Jon also stopped by to check out my new Jade Green Elephant Ear Mushroom and the new Crocea Clam I introduced yesterday (see below).
After watching these fish go at it constantly pretty much non stop for the past week, its starting to become clear what is happening. Patterns are emerging and I'm hoping that I can get rid of the Ick and let this battle come to a eventual conclusion with a new pecking order in place.
Right now the Achilles tang is vying for top spot on the fish food chain in my tank. He has clearly marked his territory by pecking at a very specific area of live rock in my tank. This area happens to have been the Foxface's old home. So the Achilles is basically trying to move in and claim the best cave/spot in my reef tank and the Foxface wants nothing to do with it.
Unfortunately both fish are pretty aggressive, and the battle is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. I will continue to monitor the tank, feed a bit more (to distract them), and go out and get some cleaner shrimp to help with the Ick. Aside from that 40 gallon water changes every couple days is about as best I can do.
An epic battle continues in my reef tank
Day 5? 6? 7? I lost track. I think my Achilles Tang has been in my tank for a little over a week now and WOW what a week it's been. Day after day of fighting for dominance over my Magnificant Foxface, Purple Tank, Clarkii Clownfish, Coral Beauty, and assorted Damsel fish.
The Achilles has been punctured no fewer than 10 times by the Foxface, whose dorsal spines contain a deadly neurotoxin, which, while clearly effective, does not deliver a fatal blow to the Achilles Tang. Sure it's pretty beat up in its belly, fin, eye, and other areas of its body, but it has been steadfast and held its ground. It may emerge as the new dominant fish in my tank - IF - it can survive a bout of the Ick. There are lots of parasites on the body of the Achilles and I've only got one cleaner shrimp, so tomorrow, I'm off to the fish store to get a few more cleaner shrimp to help control the Ick.
I've got some video footage of the action that I need to edit, and you can always check out the action on my Reef Tank Live page here.