Clown laying on bottom

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BradVol

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Hey guys,
This morning one of my clowns is laying at the bottom of the tank in a corner but moving as if it's swimming. She's about 2 years old. No visible issues on her. Never exhibited this behavior before that I've seen. Other fish in the tank seem normal. No additions to the tank in the last couple months. Parameters all staying in line.

Could this be normal? Should I do anything? I have a QT tank I can setup if needed. My main concern would be if it's something that could spread. Thanks!

PXL_20220330_153237681.jpg
 
Pics in white lights and a video would help.
Has she shown any other odd behaviors or looked off at all? Any new additions to the tank? Does she ever go back to normal?
It looks like she is upside down in the picture. If she is that would raise alarms.

With all that said - clowns do weird things so it is certainly possible she is fine and being a clown. The way you describe it kinda sounds like it may be hosting behavior.
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
SlugSnorter said:
Params? if the clown has no other symptoms and responds to food, movement and swims normally then it is just being a weird clown do weird clown things and preparing to use its demon powers
Click to expand...

She's not upside down. I'll see if I can get a video when the lights ramp up. I'll try feeding in a bit too and see how she responds. Here's the params.

Salinity is 34. Nitrate is 1-2. Phosphate reads just over 0 but it's because green hair algae is sucking it up.


Screenshot_20220330-115533.png
 
Last edited:
Sharkbait19 said:
Anything new get into the tank.
I’m inclined to say it’s just it being a clown - they do weird things.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid you were right and I was wrong. She moved to another part of the tank and is mostly upside down. She will try to swim and end up vertical in the water, mouth facing towards the sand, and eventually roll over onto her top. The other clown keeps nudging her to do something.

In freshwater this was usually a swim bladder issue and there wasn't much that could be done. What does it mean here? Anything I can do to treat? And if not at what point should I pull the plug to protect the rest of the tank?
 
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Is this the big clown or the small one?
There is a chance it is being beat up by the dominant clown (if this one is the small one), and would need to be separated.
Based on the behavior you described, the best chance is to move it to a separate tank.
#fishmedic
 
BradVol said:
I'm afraid you were right and I was wrong. She moved to another part of the tank and is mostly upside down. She will try to swim and end up vertical in the water, mouth facing towards the sand, and eventually roll over onto her top. The other clown keeps nudging her to do something.

In freshwater this was usually a swim bladder issue and there wasn't much that could be done. What does it mean here? Anything I can do to treat? And if not at what point should I pull the plug to protect the rest of the tank?
Click to expand...
It sounds like a swim bladder issue. Some people recommend a hospital tank - and antibiotics (broad spectrum) - in Freshwater - people also feed mushed peas - as constipation can be a problem. I'm assuming there is no other evidence of parasites (rapid breathing, etc). IME, 'bullying' usually causes a fish to be up at the top of the tank. Lying on the bottom (to me) - is never a good sign.
 
Sharkbait19 said:
Is this the big clown or the small one?
There is a chance it is being beat up by the dominant clown (if this one is the small one), and would need to be separated.
Based on the behavior you described, the best chance is to move it to a separate tank.
#fishmedic
Click to expand...
It's the larger of the two that is ill. They've always been fine before, going back close to 2 years. It seems more like compassion than aggression, nudging her to move with the top of the head instead of using the mouth.

He's leaving her alone now and she's just laying upside down, breathing rapidly, and moving fins. I'll try to grab a video.
 
Chewy.com
Internal parasite could be issue also
Is fish eating?
Normal or rapid breathing?
Color faded or Normal?

pic heavy in blue lighting. Any pics and video under white lighting?
What test kits are you using?
 
BradVol said:
Here's a video

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Click to expand...
As they say - a video is worth a thousand words. Have you added anything new to the tank lately - that could have brought in a disease? If not - it could be a non-infectious problem, old age etc. In other words, I'm going to take back my swim bladder comment - because laying on the ground like that is not really consistent.
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
vetteguy53081 said:
Internal parasite could be issue also
Is fish eating?
Normal or rapid breathing?
Color faded or Normal?

pic heavy in blue lighting. Any pics and video under white lighting?
What test kits are you using?
Click to expand...

Eating as of yesterday evening and acting normal. Breathing is rapid now. Color seems normal but maybe the white isn't as bright on her first stripe.

Using Trident for main parameters. Hanna checker for phosphate. Nitrate is salifert. Salinity is combo of refractometer and Milwaukee MA887. I test my main parameters manually on occasion to make sure the trident is within range too.
 
MnFish1 said:
As they say - a video is worth a thousand words. Have you added anything new to the tank lately - that could have brought in a disease? If not - it could be a non-infectious problem, old age etc. In other words, I'm going to take back my swim bladder comment - because laying on the ground like that is not really consistent.
Click to expand...
No additions or subtractions from the tank. She was small when purchased about 2 years ago. Only change in the tank is that a lowered the white lighting significantly last week. Last water change was 25% about 2 weeks ago.
 
BradVol said:
Eating as of yesterday evening and acting normal. Breathing is rapid now. Color seems normal but maybe the white isn't as bright on her first stripe.

Using Trident for main parameters. Hanna checker for phosphate. Nitrate is salifert. Salinity is combo of refractometer and Milwaukee MA887. I test my main parameters manually on occasion to make sure the trident is within range too.
Click to expand...
Ok / overall water appears good
Any lethargic behavior?
Shedding of skin?
 
Nutramar Foods
BradVol said:
Eating as of yesterday evening and acting normal. Breathing is rapid now. Color seems normal but maybe the white isn't as bright on her first stripe.

Using Trident for main parameters. Hanna checker for phosphate. Nitrate is salifert. Salinity is combo of refractometer and Milwaukee MA887. I test my main parameters manually on occasion to make sure the trident is within range too.
Click to expand...
could be brook
 
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BradVol said:
No additions or subtractions from the tank. She was small when purchased about 2 years ago. Only change in the tank is that a lowered the white lighting significantly last week. Last water change was 25% about 2 weeks ago.
Click to expand...
IMO with nothing added and your water being fine....it unlikely to be anything treatable.... probably just have to wait and see :(
 

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