Clownfish: constricted pupils/frantic swimming

Megan Talor Hockman · Sep 29, 2018

I walked into my living room/kitchen and it is pretty late like 1AM and I noticed the female of my mated pair was frantically swimming back and forth across the length of the tank. I got closer and the male was swimming kinda frantic but it seemed like it was more because of her. She also has constricted pupils and her orange face seemed paler (these are ocellius flurries).

Note: I just checked the water quality that afternoon and it was fine. I've had them in the tank for almost 2 months. I did add a new live rock and fire shrimp to the tank, but the live rock came from the same store (was being used in the tank) as the fish and the fire shrimp and even the water comes from there. They've all gotten along all day, and I've never seen her do this behave.

EDIT: She's calmed down alot, color has seemed to come back but pupils still kinda constricted.

Not sure what to do or if it's just a fluke. I do have Bristol worms but I have the fire shrimp and two peppermint shrimp (the peppermint shrimp have been there for a month). Just wanted some insight and help.

Thanks!!!

JasonK84 · Sep 29, 2018

Welcome to R2R!
Lots of great people here to help you.

First: do you have a QT process or is everything acclimated to the DT after purchase.?

Besides the frantic swimming are there any signs of parasite (swimming into flow from powerhead, rubbing on rock)?

Crabs McJones · Sep 29, 2018

Welcome to R2R! Sorry about your fish, but can you possibly get us pictures to help diagnose what may be going on?

#WelcometoR2R

Fudsey · Sep 29, 2018

Welcome to R2R ! ! !

+1 on pics to really see what you are talking about.

Megan Talor Hockman · Oct 1, 2018

I should have gotten pictures my bad. She is fine now so I don't believe it would help but everything seems to be okay.

Not entirely sure on what you mean with QT or DT? I did let the tank cycle for a few weeks and tested water before I got the fish in there. But the store I buy my stuff from (almost everything minus actual tank) is very thorough on cleaning and quality control.

Would there be other signs of parasites? I havent seen them rubbing on rocks but they did once swim into the filter flow but it was just that one time.

Thanks for all the help!

I am new to saltwater/reef tanks so any additional info is appreciated.

Joshua2598 · Oct 1, 2018

Megan Talor Hockman said:
I should have gotten pictures my bad. She is fine now so I don't believe it would help but everything seems to be okay.

Not entirely sure on what you mean with QT or DT? I did let the tank cycle for a few weeks and tested water before I got the fish in there. But the store I buy my stuff from (almost everything minus actual tank) is very thorough on cleaning and quality control.

Would there be other signs of parasites? I havent seen them rubbing on rocks but they did once swim into the filter flow but it was just that one time.

Thanks for all the help! I am new to saltwater/reef tanks so any additional info is appreciated.

QT stands for quarintine. DT stands for display tank. I know how you feel it's pretty annoying when people use terms you dont know [emoji6]