Clarkii Question

[Beckmola24]

I have had my clarkii for awhile now and she's doing well. The only thing is that my bi-color blenny nips at her when she comes near the hole in a rock that he lives in. (he even nips me when I go near "his hole") They get along other than that. He has taken chunks out of her bottom fins and her side fins over the past few months. The tissue grew back, but it's black. Is that normal?? She is slowly but shurely shading darker, but her fins looks funny with the partial black on them. Wanted to make sure that they are ok. Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[lizardarm]

it's common for regenerated fins to grow back different color.
i have a clarkii myself that tangled with a tankmate, same thing happened. fins originally grew back blackish, but have since started to regain some lighter shades that seem to be progressing toward yellow.

 

[Terry B]

You may be able to help the fish regain its normal color with dietary changes. Some foods such as Pacific plankton (smaller than krill) and even brine shrimp contains elements that help fish with red and yellow coloration. Do you supplement the foods by soaking them in Selcon and a good vitamin such as Zoe?

Cheers,
Terry B

 

[wes]

If the clarkii continues to get picked on and keeps on geting darker. I would think about taking the blenny out of the tank. If you take out the clarkii and put in a new a new fish, the blenny would most likly pick on the new fish as well .

 

[NaH2O]

wes - Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!

 

[Beckmola24]

They get along fine now. I'm not sure why the blenny even tangled with the clarkii. He didn't before that one time, and he doesn't now. Maybe he was just having "one of those days" =) Thanks for your help all. His fins are still dark, but he's happy and healthy.