New Starry Rabbitfish Question.

Hi everyone.
I just brought home a starry Rabbitfish last night. This is my first Rabbitfish. He seems very panicky/ stressed. I'm concerned, and wondering if it's warranted.

He looked great in the LFS, swimming freely and eating well. Last night he looked very stressed, sporting his strips and spines. I didn't think much of it, knowing they can be fearful. I was hoping he'd be happier this morning.

However, this morning he still looks very panic-stricken. When I first approached the tank this morning, he was nosing the glass in the far corner of the tank. Then he put his spikes up and just pushed himself against a filter pipe and stayed there for a while. Now at least he's swimming around more, but still hiding behind the rocks. I haven't seen him eat anything yet, which I guess is what concerns me the most?

Is this typical? I've just never had a fish that didn't settle in quickly. Will he calm down and settle in time? Will he be just as stressed when he goes in the DT?

Thanks!

 

It'll take him a bit to settle in. Just keep an eye on him. Do you have any places for him to hide? Like pieces of PVC, etc.

 

Totally normal for this particular fish. Give him some time and make sure as Coylee suggested he has a place to hide.

 

Thanks. I just have some live rock in the qt tank. I'll try putting a piece of PVC in for him to hind in.

Thanks! Right now he's in the qt. He will be going into a 72 that is unfortunately very lightly stocked. The only other fish are a six line wrasse and a starry tailed
blennie, as well as several inverts.
We went through a 10 day power outtage back in Oct that decimated my tank. After a lot of work, I've finally started to feel confident enough to start adding fish again. (and now we have a generator...)

 

Not a good choice of Rabbitfish IMO. They grow to 15 inches and will outgrow your tank. You would have probably been better off with a Onespot or Lo.
IME These fish have two different personality traits Hungry and Scared.

 

That's too bad. I'll have to keep an eye on him then and find him a bigger tank when he gets too large. Guess I should have researched him more.

I went to the lfs for another fish I'd seen the week before, but it had sold, so I ended up leaving with this guy.

I'm suprised the store owner sold him too me then. He knows me and my tank, and is usually very good about telling me no if I'm looking at something that won't work for my tank. Oh well, ultimately my tank- my responsibility.

 

Polyp Stealer! That thing ate its way through 100$ before I caught on.

 

Oh no! That's quite unfortunate.