Brooklynella?

[atul176]

I can’t download the video. Difficult breathing is definitely concerning. It’s good you tested ammonia and its zero as new QT systems may not have adequate denitrification. If it is brooklynella you still have options. A formalin/ malachite green dip can knock down the immediate bioload of the pathogen but then will need to continue treating the tank ( I am assuming you don’t have another sterile QT tank.) understanding the microbiology helps as there is a lot of treatment options on the market. Velvet, ich, uronema are protozoan infections . Not all antibiotics are effective. Using human medicine as a comparison: chloroquine was developed to treat malaria (a protozoan infection) it is therefore logical to presume that its effective against brooklynella (most references say it is). Metronidazole (aka flagyl) is an antibacterial but is also effective against trichomonas infections in people (a protozoan infection) so it might be effective against velvet. I personally like chloroquine. You can dose the tank directly (be very precise in your measurements) or use impregnated reef caviar. The later is tough to find but the direct dosing form is likely available at a good local fish store

I could be wrong, however I believe the clown likely doesn’t have brook. My main concern is the elevated breathing and stringy feces. Before I use multiple medications and potentially stress him out further, I need to get him to eat.

 

[carbasaurus]

I’ll defer to you as you have eyes on and I only have a few pics and no video. Agree that he needs to get eating. As said before, hopefully the frozen gets to you soon

 

[atul176]

Sorry - the video wouldn't play for me. Rapid breathing can be a sign of gill infections, water quality issues or low dissolved oxygen. You can add an air stone to rule out the latter. The ammonia test will rule that out, and then that leaves gill infection of some sort.

Jay

For the Gill infection, I’ve been at therapeutic copper for 1 day, and have also administered Prazi and general cure. I also raised my filter about two inches higher to break the surface movement. Ammonia checks out at safe levels. Should I give it some time?

 

[atul176]

I’ll defer to you as you have eyes on and I only have a few pics and no video. Agree that he needs to get eating. As said before, hopefully the frozen gets to you soon

Yea. I’m confused as to why the video isn’t working. Maybe I’m uploading them wrong. I’ll try from my laptop.

 

[nereefpat]

I can see the video on my PC, for what that's worth.

It might be worth a quick trip to a fish store to get some frozen food. They may even have live brine, which almost always works.

 

[atul176]

I can see the video on my PC, for what that's worth.

It might be worth a quick trip to a fish store to get some frozen food. They may even have live brine, which almost always works.

Alr. I’ll try to go tmrw.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I just attached a video of the fish’s breathing pattern. It definetly looks unhealthy to me. Do you have an idea of what this could indicate?

I could see the video on my home computer tonight. Breathing is only slightly elevated. Did you test for ammonia?

Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

For the Gill infection, I’ve been at therapeutic copper for 1 day, and have also administered Prazi and general cure. I also raised my filter about two inches higher to break the surface movement. Ammonia checks out at safe levels. Should I give it some time?

Oh - copper takes a minimum of 72 hours to work, so yes, you need to stay the course on that.

jay

 

[atul176]

I could see the video on my home computer tonight. Breathing is only slightly elevated. Did you test for ammonia?

Jay

Yes, ammonia checked out at safe levels.

 

[atul176]

Oh - copper takes a minimum of 72 hours to work, so yes, you need to stay the course on that.

jay

I reduced copper levels by .25 in haste, however this is still above therapeutic, so I will continue to raise it tomorrow.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I do not see rapid breathing and typical respirations for a clown and a clown that does not looked stress. The only thing noticeable is as indicated by @Jay Hemdal is what looks like mucus, not even lympho or anything. In fact a fairly clean looking clown. Too many clown owners are mislead on diet.
Maintain good water quality and diet. Some foods are :
LRS fish frenzy
hikari marine cuisine
spirulina brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton

Add selcon vitamins to the foods at least 2x per week and on alternating days . . garlic extract for stamina and immunity health.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes, ammonia checked out at safe levels.

Using what type of test kit(s)?

 

[atul176]

Using what type of test kit(s)?

Salifert and seachem ammonia alert

 

[atul176]

I do not see rapid breathing and typical respirations for a clown and a clown that does not looked stress. The only thing noticeable is as indicated by @Jay Hemdal is what looks like mucus, not even lympho or anything. In fact a fairly clean looking clown. Too many clown owners are mislead on diet.
Maintain good water quality and diet. Some foods are :
LRS fish frenzy
hikari marine cuisine
spirulina brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton

Add selcon vitamins to the foods at least 2x per week and on alternating days . . garlic extract for stamina and immunity health.

My problem is with internal parasites. It has white string feces, and rejects food. I lost the same battle with another clown. I have ordered two other food varieties, and will continue from there.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Salifert and seachem ammonia alert

Ammonia alert . . . (please dont take it harsh) . . . . rendered useless . It is intended also for freshwater and deemed low reliabilty as is API test kits. You may have higher ammonia than indicated. I would grab a water sample and get a second opinion

 

[atul176]

Ammonia alert . . . (please dont take it harsh) . . . . rendered useless . It is intended also for freshwater and deemed low reliabilty as is API test kits. You may have higher ammonia than indicated. I would grab a water sample and get a second opinion

Yes, I have also tested with salifert, and it is undetectable.

 

[atul176]

Update: definetly not brook or velvet. The little guy is way more active now, and is eating medicated food, although not more than 1.5 pellets per day. He is also very responsive to particles on the water and his breathing seems perfectly normal now. I’ll continue with copper and food and see how it goes. Thanks to everyone responding.