Stressed Fox Face

[jtaylor]

I have my first salt water 90 gallon tank running since April. Started off with two clowns after the tank cycled which are doing great. I then purchase a royal Gramma (also doing great) and a foxface at the end of June. The fox Face was doing well and eating food from the surface at feeding time until about two weeks ago. something spooked him one night while I was switching the light to the tank to moonlight and he has not been the same since. His color went from bright yellow to the top half going dark which I believe is a sign of stress and now spends his time swimming in the back of the tank behind the live rock and no longer reacts to feeding. The Fox Face look like he has been eating enough as he remained the same body size and active. I figure time will help him reduce his stress. He does have plenty of swimming room and places to hide. Water changes are done every two weeks and my PH is 8.4 Ammonia and nitrate and nitrites are all at 0. Tank temp has been 77 to 78 degrees.
I have taken my time on purchasing and selecting fish as not to stress them so feeling bad for the foxface and looking if there is anything I can do or have not been doing or do I just give him some to calm again. Also in the tank is a cleaner shrimp, 9 hermit crabs, emerald green crab and variety of snail. Was planning on purchasing a new fish this coming weekend but not if this would add to stressing the current stock.

Thanks ahead of time for any input,
Jay

 

[Docstach]

Jay,

I can't comment on your specific situation, but just in case you don't know... Foxfaces change color VERY easily. Mine goes from yellow to black and white blotches every night when he goes to sleep.

 

[jtaylor]

Did not now that so thank you for that information. My main concern is his quick change in swimming habits. The fish started out using the whole tank and swimming comfortably, eating practically from my fingers to swimming behind the live and a more frantic pace when ever someone approaches the tank