Clown not eating - how long before I freak out?

[BummersReef]

So one of my clowns stopped eating yesterday. It's now been three feedings where she hasn't taken anything. At what point do I start freaking out? She has been in tank, which is 3 months old, for about 3 maybe 4 weeks. It took her a day or so to eat when we first put her in but since then no problems. She did have a spot of lymph on her top fin but it actually seemed to disappear a couple days ago. We added 2 Anthias to tank about 6 days ago but there appeared to be no issues with them and she ate as usual. The only thing that changed is we got a new heater and the heat in tank did go up about a degree maybe a tiny bit more. We turned it down last night but it is still a little higher than in the past. She is behaving a bit more normal this morning. Yesterday was low in tank in a spot she doesn't usually go. But still couldn't get her to eat this morning. Feeding exactly what I've fed all along - frozen mysis mixed with a little garlic guard.
Right now I'm operating on theory it was the higher temp. But I suppose it could be changing tank dynamics with addition of new fish. These clowns aren't being hosted by anything btw. And this is the bigger of the two - she shows a little dominance to smaller one and she is still doing that. But they get along fine.
When do I panic about her not eating?
Thank you!
Oh no spots film or anything can be seen on her at all - I see no signs of lymph around mouth etc

 

[Tahoe61]

Were the new fish quarantined?
How long ago did you add them?

It's my experience that when established clown stops eating there is probably an issue.

Have you checked your chemistry, including ammonia?

 

[BummersReef]

Were the new fish quarantined?
How long ago did you add them?

It's my experience that when established clown stops eating there is probably an issue.

Have you checked your chemistry, including ammonia?

- New fish (Anthias) were quarantined for about 2 weeks, but only watched, not medicated. We get all fish from an excellent LFS and these anthias had been in their tank for over a month and doing very well. I know a longer quarantine is advised but we truly have a unique LFS (I could go into a long explanation about their superior fish keeping but suffice to say it is the only LFS within 100 miles (in Lansing, Michigan) as no one even attempts to compete. They get their fish from A&M Aquatics which is literally located a block from LFS. If our LFS have fish they've kept for a month ... they do quarantine before putting up for sale .... I truly believe those fish are in good shape. We go into LFS once a week and check out all the fish we are interested in each week) I know moving stress can still result in illness, which is why we do quarantine for at least a few weeks
- Anthias were added to DT about 5 days ago - they look great, active, eating, no aggression aside from a nudge or two. Clowns were put in DT about a month ago.
- we had LFS test water 4 days ago and everything was very good. Ammonia and nitrite zero. They've been zero for over 2 months. Trace nitrate. KH was 8-9. salinity was .025. tested KH 2 days ago with Salifert and it was same (8-9) I will test ammonia at home today with Salifert. all levels have been stable for well over a month. About 2 weeks ago we had phosphates a little high but put in macro algae in refug and it came right down.
- DT is 125 gallons with an additional 125 in sump and refug. Running skimmer.
- Yes, I have have a feeling this not eating is something to worry about, just trying to figure what may have triggered and what I can do. We do have the QT running with no fish now and could put her in there ??? but would stress of moving do more harm than good? Today she is behaving completely normally, aside from not eating. The two of them have sort of "moved" to other side of tank to hang out ... that is the only behavior thing I have noted.

- should I try a different kind of food to entice?
appreciate any suggestions, you guys are so great

 

[Tahoe61]

Not eating for a day is fine, not eating for 3 days would be a concern for me. I have had female clowns stop eating for long periods, a week or more only to have them finally come around.
The introduction of new fish could change the dynamics and delay eating, but they should resolve soon.
How may Anthias did you add and how large is the tank? Your tank is still really young, it is possible to through off water chemistry by adding multiple fish to small to medium sized tank. If you're feeding Anthias, they eat a lot and appreciate multiple feedings a days.
For now I would just check chemistry and wait and watch.

 

[BummersReef]

Not eating for a day is fine, not eating for 3 days would be a concern for me. I have had female clowns stop eating for long periods, a week or more only to have them finally come around.
The introduction of new fish could change the dynamics and delay eating, but they should resolve soon.
How may Anthias did you add and how large is the tank? Your tank is still really young, it is possible to through off water chemistry by adding multiple fish to small to medium sized tank. If you're feeding Anthias, they eat a lot and appreciate multiple feedings a days.
For now I would just check chemistry and wait and watch.

I added 2 Anthias - one lyretail and one dispar. Tank is 125 gallons, with another 125 gallons in a sump and refugium (so about 250 total gallons). So far I'm feeding twice a day and everyone is eating real well. Yesterday I fed three times trying to get the clown to eat.
thank you!!!

 

[Tahoe61]

Yeah I went and looked at your thread, nice tank. Adding two fish to a tank that size should have no notable impact.

Hopefully the clown is just feeling insecure after the addition of new fish. If the fish shows any signs or symptoms of possible disease other than not eating for day or two then I would proceed with QT.

 

[BummersReef]

She's back on the chow! ate last night and again this morning. Wheeewwwww (temperature returned to "normal" ... thinking maybe that put her off ??? clowns are so WEIRD!)

 

[Joshua Hurst]

What a relief!

 

[BummersReef]

What a relief!

no kidding. kept me up at night. She is really very lovely .... looking for a pic. note the cool circle of white ......

 

[Justmike]

What food did she finally go with ? I am sort of having the same issue wit one of my clowns .

 

[BummersReef]

What food did she finally go with ? I am sort of having the same issue wit one of my clowns .

same thing I've always fed them - frozen mysis shrimp. I usually put in a little "Garlic Guard" with shrimp as they apparently like the smell. This morning I also added some of Rod's Food, which I use on occasion (but that has kind of big pieces so I don't use often)
she had just decided eating was not on her agenda for a day ... (she better not do it again because I was having anxiety!)

 

[Justmike]

Thanks for letting me know, I am going to try the garlic method today with my
Frozen mysis to see if that works . So strange never seen a fish not eat before

 

[BummersReef]

Thanks for letting me know, I am going to try the garlic method today with my
Frozen mysis to see if that works . So strange never seen a fish not eat before

your tank is relatively new isn't it? as you go, you will probably run into the need to encourage fish to eat at first. The first day or so of getting a new fish, when they are stressed from acclimation, many will need a little enticement to eat. All depends on the fish. But an established fish (that has been in tank for several weeks at least) usually doesn't stop eating for no reason. That's why I kind of freaked out! lol

 

[Justmike]

It is new and the fish is new , the other clown is eating fine . This new clown just doesn't want to eat. The frozen mysis actually scares him as it floats by him . I have reached out to lfs and sa to see what they feed these young clowns to try to mix it in . Btw love the look of your clown

 

[happyhourhero]

Best food for finicky is cyclops in my experience.

 

[BummersReef]

It is new and the fish is new , the other clown is eating fine . This new clown just doesn't want to eat. The frozen mysis actually scares him as it floats by him . I have reached out to lfs and sa to see what they feed these young clowns to try to mix it in . Btw love the look of your clown

when did you add the clown that is not eating? Was the eating clown in the tank already or did you add both at the same time? If the new clown has only been in a day or so, don't panic. But if its been several days, yeah you should worry and try what happyhour suggested. When my first added clown didn't eat at first I got some "eggs" (???) tiny little things, from LFS, and they were so small they didn't scare him. Yes, reach out to LFS and a trip in there to get something to entice would be worth it. If your clown is little, they can go downhill fast if they don't eat. Does the other one bully him at all?

 

[Justmike]

went into the lfs and got some extra different types of food that he feeds them and some ( enticing soak) cyclops and also tried "finicky pellet " and didn't work either and it didn't work to no avail . The fish has been in there for a week now and still not eating . The other one has been in there for a Couple weeks and is eating just fine . The fish looks like it's getting weaker now . Hatched and tried bbs but that didn't work either. Going to take the fish Into the lfs . As he said he will try to figure out what is going on . There is alittle aggression from other fish but no nipping or nothing that "scares the little one" like the floating mysis .

 

[BummersReef]

went into the lfs and got some extra different types of food that he feeds them and some ( enticing soak) cyclops and also tried "finicky pellet " and didn't work either and it didn't work to no avail . The fish has been in there for a week now and still not eating . The other one has been in there for a Couple weeks and is eating just fine . The fish looks like it's getting weaker now . Hatched and tried bbs but that didn't work either. Going to take the fish Into the lfs . As he said he will try to figure out what is going on . There is alittle aggression from other fish but no nipping or nothing that "scares the little one" like the floating mysis .

yes take him into LFS asap. A week is too long. It may be because he is being stressed by the other one, as the other has been in there longer. You don't see any white spots or anything, especially around his mouth correct? Take him in to LFS today! (sounds like you might have a good LFS, which is a major bonus)
keep us posted because now I'm worried! lol and get LFS to do a total water test and let us know the results

 

[Justmike]

First let me say I am so sorry for hijacking your post . This morning I hatched some bbs and he ate only 3 . And nothing else but is looking very weak . so I took him to the lfs . Lfs will qt him and try different foods. And try to figure out what is going on . Lfs gave me a "larger one ( to make sure no bullying as your thought ) as an exchange and I checked to make sure it ate before taken it. And Is currently doing Great after aclimateing Lfs thinks that maybe fish is to young / or from a bad "batch" No spots or marks or thought of any illness at all. Water was tested and water is good . I will go back in a few days and see if there are any updates at all . And let you know . Thanks for all your help and letting me hijack your post .

 

[BummersReef]

First let me say I am so sorry for hijacking your post . This morning I hatched some bbs and he ate only 3 . And nothing else but is looking very weak . so I took him to the lfs . Lfs will qt him and try different foods. And try to figure out what is going on . Lfs gave me a "larger one ( to make sure no bullying as your thought ) as an exchange and I checked to make sure it ate before taken it. And Is currently doing Great after aclimateing Lfs thinks that maybe fish is to young / or from a bad "batch" No spots or marks or thought of any illness at all. Water was tested and water is good . I will go back in a few days and see if there are any updates at all . And let you know . Thanks for all your help and letting me hijack your post .

oh no need to apologize at all!! was wondering how it was going, so glad you let us know. Your LFS sounds like a keeper, which is super important!! an LFS who will take back a fish and try and make him feel better is .... wonderful. (I have a really good LFS too and am so thankful)