Carl the clownfish S.O.S.

[jonahb32]

Hello, I set up my first tank Saturday morning and got everything up and cycled smoothly using cycling balls from my local aquarium shop. Yesterday, I bought my first fish, an ocellaris clownfish named Carl (lol). I used the drip acclimation method to get him into the tank and everything was fine, but he barely moves from this one corner. He just floats on the top and occasionally dives down, but comes right back up. It appeared that he was gasping for air this morning, until I plugged in the powerhead. (I have a Biocube 32 so it already had a little bit of oxygen flowing through it, but apparently it wasn't enough). He no longer seems to be gasping for air, but still stays within 6 inches of the corner of the tank. All the parameters are within the requirements. (77.5 degrees, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, 8.0 pH, and about .10 ppm ammonia). I'm just wondering if something is wrong or if this is normal behavior... you can tell he just sort of floats on his side in these pictures. (he is in the back left corner in the front view picture). Could it be swim bladder disorder?? If so, is it treatable?? Thanks for any help <3

 

[hdsoftail1065]

You set it up Saturday, like in this past Saturday?

 

[jonahb32]

Yes, and got the fish yesterday

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Your ammonia should be zero, your tank has not had time to cycle.

#reefsquad

 

[Jason mack]

Even if you started with live sand and live rock your tank must still cycle .. for a couple of weeks at least .. give your tank time too build up bacteria .. I agree your tank is still in the early stages .. and too soon for fish I’m afraid .

 

[Crabs McJones]

Agreed. A week isnt long enough for a tank to cycle. When you added the fish it caused an ammonia spike and ammonia, in any amount, is toxic to fish.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I would do water changes everyday if I had a fish and read Ammonia. Need to keep it down as low as possible (like 0.25 ppm tops). If your Ammonia is higher than 1, I would see if an LFS would hold the fish for you while you cycle and then mature the tank.

 

[jonahb32]

My ammonia was at 0 all dy Sunday and Monday morning (I got Carl yesterday afternoon), and the ammonia just went to about .10 ppm after the first time I fed him ... the dude from my LFS gave me these "pure balls" or something like that and said that it accelerates the cycle and can makes it where you can put fish in next day... is that wrong???

 

[Crabs McJones]

My ammonia was at 0 all dy Sunday and Monday morning (I got Carl yesterday afternoon), and the ammonia just went to about .10 ppm after the first time I fed him ... the dude from my LFS gave me these "pure balls" or something like that and said that it accelerates the cycle and can makes it where you can put fish in next day... is that wrong???

Your ammonia was 0 because there was no source of ammonia. When you added Carl (awesome name by the way ) and fed him you added ammonia source.

 

[jonahb32]

Thanks for all the responses

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Run out ASAP and get some Biospyra or Dr. Tims. That will at least speed up the cycle. Add that and then watch the BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube.

Also, clownfish are pretty durable so he may just be scared in the new tank.

 

[Big G]

the dude from my LFS gave me these "pure balls" or something like that

Marinepure balls?

 

[jonahb32]

Marinepure balls?

yes, marine pure balls thank you

 

[jonahb32]

Run out ASAP and get some Biospyra or Dr. Tims. That will at least speed up the cycle. Add that and then watch the BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube.

Also, clownfish are pretty durable so he may just be scared in the new tank.

Already got some thanks