Bicolor Blenny concerns... dorsel fin problem

antsdiablo · 03-11-2009, 03:45 AM

Hi all... I am a new member on trt, but have read quite a few post in the past that have helped me kick off a stunning reef tank with very little problems....

But I have added a funky little bicolor blenny who seems to be behaving just fine - eating well, full color, swimming (or hopping) just fine - the only thing is that his upper dorsel is missing a patch about a quarter from the front for about an eighth, and it seems to be slowly getting worse.

So far he's been in the tank for 2 weeks and has loads of safe hiding holes in 300lb of live rock!!

Can't seem to find any info on this condition... Any ideas anyone?

Loverotties · 03-11-2009, 07:02 AM

What are all your water parimeters?Tell us more about the system and can you post a pic of it?

antsdiablo · 03-11-2009, 09:21 PM

Here are the parameters that have been steady for 3 weeks. It has had 4 fish for 2 weeks, 10 Corals for 4 (all thriving):

PH = 8.3
KH = 179
Phosphate = 0.5
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0
Ammonia = 0
Ca2+ = 460

It's a 67 gal tank (4x1.5x1.5) with around 250 lb rock (did the math again wasn't as much as i thought :P) the sump is 28 gal with 25lb live sand, 15lb 10mm crush coral, 8lb 20mm crush coral, 5lb live rock and a medium size aquaripure denitrator (that absolutely rocks!!). No skimmer.

I figure as I don't have a skimmer, there may not be enough oxygen. In saying that, the weir, plus the bubbles into the sump, plus there is a waterfall effect the way that I have added the water from the chiller return, back into the last chamber before the main pump. Also the yellow tang normally sensitive to oxygen deficiency who was kind of my "miner bird" before I added anything else seemed to be and still is just fine.

As for Benny Blemmy, i acclimated him as slow and clinical as possible. He immediately found the most opportune position in the tank on a rock with about 5 interconnected tunnels and an entire back wall full of that good and tasty algae. So he is safe and belly full. Couldn't get a picture of him as he is somewhat camera shy and my camera is not that good with zooming...

Hope this covers things.

antsdiablo · 03-12-2009, 03:55 AM

Managed a couple of pix. As you can see, he's developed a bit of a mohawk!! It hasn't got much worse.... Do you think it may grow back? (he asked hesitantly almost as if he already knew the answer)...