Clown stressed in QT

[CherryRock]

So I got a new clown the other day and put him in my quarantine tank. Tank is a 2 gallon with PVC, heater, and filter with floss and sponge from DT.

I’ve noticed the clown seems to be freaking out a bit. He keeps swimming around all over the place and will not eat. I covered the sides of the tank with a dark cloth, but any time I try to feed him or check on him he freaks out again and goes back swimming like crazy.

Any ideas on what to do? I don’t think he will survive his quarantine period like this if he will not eat.

 

[Goby Bryant]

Has he lost any color? #fishmedic

 

[CherryRock]

No, he’s bright colored. Isn’t breathing fast. Just seems to be swimming all over the place.
Added a picture. I know it’s not the best but I can’t keep him still.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So I got a new clown the other day and put him in my quarantine tank. Tank is a 2 gallon with PVC, heater, and filter with floss and sponge from DT.

I’ve noticed the clown seems to be freaking out a bit. He keeps swimming around all over the place and will not eat. I covered the sides of the tank with a dark cloth, but any time I try to feed him or check on him he freaks out again and goes back swimming like crazy.

Any ideas on what to do? I don’t think he will survive his quarantine period like this if he will not eat.

Two gallons is pretty small, it may not feel too secure.
What have you treated it with so far?
Try lighting the QT and dimming the room lights. This makes it more difficult for the fish to see you.
Jay

 

[CherryRock]

Haven’t treated it with anything. I just acclimated it from the store to the same water that is in the DT.
I’ll try lighting it and see if he calms down.

It does seem like he gets scared when he sees his own reflection but I don’t know how to fix it since it’s bare bottom. Only thing I figured was wrapping it with a dark cloth.

 

[Sharkbait19]

How long has it been in there for? New fish take time to adjust to a new tank. That said, the qt is very small and not helping things either.

 

[CherryRock]

This will be day 2. Figured a 2 gallon was sufficient since the clown is so small, but am working on getting a larger QT set up.

What is a good size QT? My DT is a 20 gal peninsula.

 

[Sharkbait19]

For a clown that size a 5-10 should suffice. Bigger is always better.