Firefish - fin bitten off?

[Manta1]

Hi guys

First post on this forum and looking for good advice!

Used to have 40gal invert tank (turned into hair algae farm ) and after 2yr break we are trying again with either 4/5 footer.

In our first tank we had a firefish with a yel.tang, coral beauty and 2 perc clowns. Our firefish had its dorsal fin bitten off by something in tank (we think :?: ). As tang was tank boss we suspected him but also had a few red leg hermits size of a quarter.

Lately we have seen firefish in lfs also with dorsal fin absent and more often than not, a tang was in same tank. Is this just coincidence or has this happened to other reefers? We are planning to have a shoal of magnifica but also want a yell. & emp. tang and don't want this type of aggression in tank.

All replies appreciated

TIA

 

[Len]

The tang is a possible culprit, but personally I've never seen a tang attack anything else other then another tang, rabbitfish, angel, or butterfly. I would be surprised to see it attack a firefish. My guess is something in the rocks is chewing at it when the firefish dive for cover (or while resting during the night). Hermits is possible, as is other stowaway crabs and even larger bristleworms.

BTW, firefish aren't schooling fish. Although you see them in big groups at the store, they are very hierarchal fish and the dominant one usually harasses or kills the lesser specimens. I always recommend either one or a pair of firefish, no more. It's believed they're hermaphrodites. Paired firefish are very cool.

 

[Manta1]

Thanx Len

Didn't realise that about Firefish, got idea from Fenners' book. Glad to hear our beloved tang prob wasn't culprit .