Maroon Clownfish injured after being stuck in rocks     3/7/12
Hello All,
<Kath>
First, a little background on my system:  I have a 8 year old female Maroon Clownfish in an established 55 gallon SPS/LPS reef with a 30 gallon sump/refugium.
<La Regina... the Queen>
My parameters are as follows:
Temp: 78
Ph: 8.3
SG: 1.026
NO2: 0.0 ppm
NO3: 0.0 ppm
NH3: 0.0 ppm
PO4: 0.0 ppm
<How are these last two rendered thus?>
Alk: 10 dKH
Ca: 440 ppm
Mag: 1300 ppm
Other occupants in the tank as follows:
2 - 3 year old male Maroon Clownfish
Midas Blenny
Six-Line Wrasse
Kole Tang
<Mmm>
Mandarin Dragonet
2 Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Peppermint Shrimp
Long Tentacle Anemone (Hosting both Clownfish)
Multiple snails and Red Tip Hermits
With the exception of the Tang, all have been living together for months and getting along fine.  I introduced the Tang about two weeks ago.  At the time I placed the Tang in the tank, I had a Jewel Damsel that harassed the Tang relentlessly. 
<As they will>
That same day, I removed the Damsel and, in the process, rearranged the rockwork.  Thereafter, the Tang found a nice niche between two rocks where he could hide.  It's big enough for him to turn around in, but not really big enough for the large female Maroon to squeeze into.  Since the Tang was added to the tank and the Damsel removed, there has been no aggression between the remaining occupants.
Last night, the female Maroon managed to follow the Tang into his rock cave.  I saw her in there with the Tang, and they seemed to be getting along fine.
<Ah, no>
 I'm fairly certain she could not figure out how to get out of the tight spot she was in, as she did not come out to sleep with the male Maroon in their anemone where she normally does. 
When I looked in on them this morning, the female Maroon was ragged looking, and scraped up, with scales missing on her side, rough patches of skin, and ragged fins.  I'm guessing she probably wound up scraping against the rocks last night trying to get out, although I suppose it's possible the Tang may have acted aggressively over her occupying his space.
<Oh yes. Have been spiked by this Ctenochaetus (a fave food fish item of spearfishers in its range)... Very painful>
In any case, is there anything I can do to help her heal?
<Just the usual good care... water quality, nutrition>
  She refused to eat this morning, but was still swimming around.  She was hanging out on the opposite side of the tank from her anemone, which is also slightly unusual.  Obviously, maintaining water quality is important, but is there anything else I can do?
<Patience>
Thank you very much for your time and assistance,
Kathleen
<IF you have another established system of size... and great skill w/ nets (plural), I'd move the Kole. Bob Fenner> 
Re: Maroon Clownfish injured after being stuck in rocks – 3/7/12
I just ran home from work to check on her.  I wanted to make sure she wasn't being harassed or further injured by anything.  The Kole Tang has left her alone as far as I can tell.  She has settled near her anemone and her mate again.  The Tang seems to understand her territory, and avoids the area.
 Based on her injuries, it seems as though she was scraping against the rocks quite a bit, as there are significant abrasions on her right side.  Her left side is less affected.
I test using Elos test kits, although my phosphate kit is API.  I doubt the 0 level of phosphate simply because I do have some amount of algae growth off and on, but that was the reading I got from the kit.
<Mmm>
I know that the Tangs can be aggressive at times, but this Kole Tang appears fairly mild-mannered.  Even when the Damsel was attacking him (at less than half his size), he never did fight back, just tried to get away.  I have not yet seen either the Tang or Maroon chasing each other or anyone else in the tank.
<... really not enough room for both of these fishes here>
I doubt I could get at the Kole to remove him as he stays hidden much of the time.  There is substantial rockwork in my tank.  I'm fairly certain moving rock around to get him out would just cause more stress to everyone.  Since he's not actively pursuing the Maroon, I'm not certain he's a serious threat at the moment, but I will definitely keep an eye on him.
<Good>
I'm planning a water change once I get home from work.  I'm sad to see one of my critters injured and just wanted to be sure I was doing all I can.  I do appreciate your help.
I've attached a photo of my Maroon's worst injuries.  There are some algae marks and scratches on the tank glass, but I think you can get the general idea.
Thank you again,
Kathleen
<Welcome. BobF>