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dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 9:33 am
by Davyce
My Orchid Dottyback has been hiding in the rocks for 3 days straight. Tank is a 40-gallon with 1.025 salinity, 78°F, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Only tankmates are a pair of Ocellaris Clowns and a Cleaner Shrimp. No recent changes except a 10% water change 4 days ago. Anyone know what's up?
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 11:33 am
by fin_tide
Dottybacks can be moody little dudes. Mine did the same thing when I added new rockwork. Did you rearrange anything? Also, what's your feeding routine? Sometimes they get sketchy if they're not eating enough.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 12:12 pm
by Cadix
Check for aggression from the clowns. Even peaceful species can get territorial. Dottybacks are shy and might hide if they feel threatened. Observe their interactions when the Dottyback ventures out.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 2:35 pm
by turtlego
Davyce wrote: ↑Tue Sep 02, 2025 9:33 am
My Orchid Dottyback has been hiding in the rocks for 3 days straight. Tank is a 40-gallon with 1.025 salinity, 78°F, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Only tankmates are a pair of Ocellaris Clowns and a Cleaner Shrimp. No recent changes except a 10% water change 4 days ago. Anyone know what's up?
Yo, params look solid. Maybe it's just chilling? Mine vanished for a week once, then popped out like nothing happened. Try tossing in some mysis shrimp, that usually lures mine out.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 7:06 pm
by AquaticAce
Dottybacks are notorious for this. As long as your water's good and there's no visible aggression, I'd say give it time. Mine hid for days after a water change, probably just adjusting.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 8:34 pm
by 3monkeys
Agree with checking aggression. Also, what's your lighting schedule? Sudden changes can stress them. Dottybacks prefer dimmer spots, so if your lights are too bright or on too long, that could be it.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 1:18 am
by flourish
Mine did this too. Turned out it was just molting. Maybe yours is doing the same? Keep an eye out for shed skin.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 2:38 am
by Davyce
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll try reducing the light intensity and see if that helps. Feeding mysis tonight to tempt it out.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 3:52 am
by fin_tide
Davyce wrote: ↑Wed Sep 03, 2025 2:38 am
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll try reducing the light intensity and see if that helps. Feeding mysis tonight to tempt it out.
Good call. Let us know if it works. Dottybacks are weirdos but usually bounce back.
Re: dottyback hiding for 3 days
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2025 5:12 am
by Cadix
If it's still hiding after a week, consider a quarantine tank to rule out illness. Sometimes internal parasites cause this behavior.