Clownfish acting weird...

drummer4261900 · Nov 25, 2015

Background: I got two clownfish 11-18-2015 from the store. Someone on here said I should use SeaChem Stability I started that on 11-20-2015 because they said I didn't feed my tank to keep the cycle going. One died got the water tested they said my water was fine replaced that clownfish with another. On 11-23-2015 I noticed some brown stuff inside my tank cleaned it off the glass and the sand.

Problem: One of my clownfish has been acting really weird the last two days hes been sitting in the exact same spot in the front of the tank in the sand. He hasn't moved at all until this morning when I woke up I thought he was dead I started moving some rock around he had wedged him self in some rock hole he came out now he has been sitting in the back behind the rocks all morning still in the exact same position hasn't moved at all. I am not sure what his problem could be...

Thanks!

melypr1985 · Nov 25, 2015

drummer4261900 said:
Background: I got two clownfish 11-18-2015 from the store. Someone on here said I should use SeaChem Stability I started that on 11-20-2015 because they said I didn't feed my tank to keep the cycle going. One died got the water tested they said my water was fine replaced that clownfish with another. On 11-23-2015 I noticed some brown stuff inside my tank cleaned it off the glass and the sand.

Problem: One of my clownfish has been acting really weird the last two days hes been sitting in the exact same spot in the front of the tank in the sand. He hasn't moved at all until this morning when I woke up I thought he was dead I started moving some rock around he had wedged him self in some rock hole he came out now he has been sitting in the back behind the rocks all morning still in the exact same position hasn't moved at all. I am not sure what his problem could be...

Thanks!

Ok. I know they tested your water for you and said it was fine, but can you get the actual numbers for say Ammonia and Nitrite and post them here? Also, are your fish displaying any physical symptoms like a white dusting or dots or maybe breathing very heavy?

drummer4261900 · Nov 25, 2015

Test:

PH 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0

The only other fish in there is another clownfish. Those where the first two fish I put in the tank and the only fish in there. Only the one clownfish is acting weird the other one is fine.

Thanks!

DeniseAndy · Nov 25, 2015

What is your temp? What was your acclimation procedure?

How large are the clowns and what type?

drummer4261900 · Nov 25, 2015

77 Degrees. Floated the bag for 30 minutes.

Both are Ocellaris Clownfish they are both less than 2" in size.

melypr1985 · Nov 25, 2015

Ok, so you only temp acclimated these fish? That could be an issue

drummer4261900 · Nov 25, 2015

When I took them both out they were acting normal for the first few days. Until the one started acting weird three days ago.

Humblefish · Nov 25, 2015

This explains in detail "How to Acclimate" your fish: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-acclimate.192300/

melypr1985 · Nov 25, 2015

drummer4261900 said:
When I took them both out they were acting normal for the first few days. Until the one started acting weird three days ago.

Ok. So this is my opinion based on this thread and the other you have going at the same time. It may not be what you want to hear, but sometimes we just have to listen and learn.

I think your tank wasn't done establishing it's cycle. That coupled with not properly acclimating your fish (adding water slowly to the bag/bucket the fish came in until it's more your water than the store's) has caused damage to your fish.... probably to the gills and internally. Remember, these fish not only live in this water, they breathe it, swallow it and absorb it in their skin. I don't know if you can save your fish, but feeding him vitamins in his food will help boost his immune system.

Next time acclimate your fish using an air line to drip the water into the bag they are in. You can remove water as it fills up until the water in the bag has been replaced with your water. Then float the bag to match the temp and then release. This is much easier on the fish.

and right as I get done typing this humblefish posts a link! lol