It finally happened!

[edmlfc1]

For those of you who say it over and over you can say it again: I told you so!

It finally happened. Chong is being mean to Elvis. Here's the story,
Elvis had black marks on his tail, if you remember I posted: fin rot or bite? At first I was blaming it on Daisy (snowflake eel), then I thought it don't look like a Daisy bite. Maybe it's Chong (gsp) or Hoover (wrasse). Well a few days ago I noticed Elvis curling up into a ball swimming in circles every time Hoover came around. Yes Hoover started it! He's been nipping on Elvis' tail! That's not all, two days ago I noticed Chong and Hoover going after Elvis. Again Elvis in a ball, tail curled up to him, swimming in circles and trying to squeeze into a corner of the tank to get away from them. I had a good look at Elvis and he has bite marks on his tail again! My poor Elvis is being bullied by Chong and Hoover! Fishy see Fishy do! Hoover started it and now Chong has joined in. They have both ganged up on Elvis and are having a biting session. I went yesterday morning and purchased egg crate which is now serving as a divider in my tank. Once hypo is over Hoover is going back to the lfs. And Chong is being adopted out. I found him a great home with someone I know will love and take really good care of him. My choice was to get rid of Chong and Hoover to keep Elvis, or set up another tank and have my husband move out. Well my first thought was to up another tank and let my husband go.
Then I called a friend and talked it over with her, she would love to take Chong. I feel very comfortable with my decision and sad all at the same time. My tank has worked for a year with these guys getting along and being nice to each other, but as we all know, only time will tell. Now you can say it: I told you so.

And for all you that want to try it, have a spare tank ready for future use. It does work, but only for a limited time.

[Dadof4]

You kept the husband? Much higher maintainance! Chong is smaller and less expensive to house....occasional water changes...a shrimp or two...
Anyway, sorry to hear this I was really hoping that they would stay paired because I was going to try it in my marine tank, GSP, Stars, and Porc. Sounds like you found him a good home though.

[edmlfc1]

You should see how pitiful Chong looks right now. He's pacing back and forth up and down at the divider. He wants to get on the other side so bad. I told him he can't be with Elvis any more because he was mean to him. He just gave me a dirty look and went back to pacing. I'll try to get a picture or video.

[Dadof4]

I wonder if Hoover was gone and there was no protagonist if Chong would stop.

[edmlfc1]

Video as promised.

[edmlfc1]

I wonder if Hoover was gone and there was no protagonist if Chong would stop.

I thought about that, then I thought once a fin nipper, always a fin nipper. Will he stop? Probally not. Unless Elvis nipped him back. I just don't see that happening.

[Dadof4]

Awwww...They both looked betrayed! I know what you mean by once a fin nipper, always a fin nipper, but, I'd give Chong a chance solo. Is there some kind of frenzy thing going on that Hoover starts?

[biggy101]

let chong and elvis be free together solo!!!!

[edmlfc1]

It's like they gang up on him. The poor guy don't know which way to turn so he curls his tail and crams himself in the corner. It makes me feel horrible. It's funny to see him do that, but it's sad. I feel so bad for him. You can see in his eyes that he's miserable. He looks at me with those big eyes and says: Mommy don't leave they're gonna bite me! As long as I'm in front of the tank watching them, they leave Elvis alone. As soon as I go sit down they start terrorizing him.

[Dadof4]

Sounds like a group thing. Therapy perhaps? Maybe...Grouper Therapy...

[edmlfc1]

So are you saying I should call the fish whisperer ?

[Dadof4]

Nah, just get a couple of critters in there with the middle name "the" (you know, Jimmy the Fish, Rocky the Eel, Sammy the Dogface) to sit them down and have a nice little "talk".

[edmlfc1]

Blenny the algea eater has found his way around the divider. I don't know how he does it. Hoover and Chong hasn't figured it out either. But one minute Blenny will be with Elvis and I look again he's on the other side with Chong and Hoover. I guess he's trying to figure out which side the algea is greener on. Elvis' tail is looking better already, now that he's not getting picked on. All the black bite marks are almost gone and it's healing quick. I see blenny is also eating some left over shrimp that I fed them this morning. I had no idea that sailfin algea eaters would eat shrimp. I guess that's a good thing.

[fishlady1958]

poor little things......
it's so sad to see them separated....but then again.....it's not nice to bite on your buddy's either.....

[edmlfc1]

I think Blenny is messing with them. He's back on the other side again. He talks to Elvis then he goes and tells Chong what Elvis said. He must be the messenger. He can't make up his mind what side of the fence he wants to be on.