Clownfish Dying. Any suggestions?

[tylo92]

Been treating two clowns for what I believe was a bacterial infection with Kanaplex. I waited a few days when I should of started right away. They have both been responding good to it for the last five days.

In the last hour one has become very lethargic in the corner and losing color. I’m sure he is dying. Ammonia is Zero in QT. He’s part of the family. Any last minute suggestions?

 

[fishguy242]

#fishmedic

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Been treating two clowns for what I believe was a bacterial infection with Kanaplex. I waited a few days when I should of started right away. They have both been responding good to it for the last five days.

In the last hour one has become very lethargic in the corner and losing color. I’m sure he is dying. Ammonia is Zero in QT. He’s part of the family. Any last minute suggestions?

Tough to say - can you post a short video under white lights?
Jay

 

[tylo92]

Tough to say - can you post a short video under white lights?
Jay

 

[tylo92]

YouTube link. https://youtube.com/shorts/Ur6oPEVC7AI?feature=share

 

[Sharkbait19]

Been treating two clowns for what I believe was a bacterial infection with Kanaplex. I waited a few days when I should of started right away. They have both been responding good to it for the last five days.

In the last hour one has become very lethargic in the corner and losing color. I’m sure he is dying. Ammonia is Zero in QT. He’s part of the family. Any last minute suggestions?

There can be many causes for this, but a pic will definitely help. The pale color could be the mucous coat, which begins to slough during brooklynella, commonly known as ‘clownfish disease’. This, if not immediately treated, can be quickly fatal.

 

[Sharkbait19]

YouTube link. https://youtube.com/shorts/Ur6oPEVC7AI?feature=share

Would it be possible to get the clownfish in a better location? It’s rather tough to tell what is going on from the angle. Nothing notably wrong in appearance in this video, though I can definitely see some behavioral problems.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Unfortunately, the angles and distortion of video does not show much. perhaps still pics ?
Fish appears very distressed or moribund to the point it can not eat or swim properly and may end fatal.
Any white poop, heavy breathing, and lethargic behavior noticed last 24-48 hours ?

 

[Sharkbait19]

It’s also possible that there is simply some aggression between the clowns. The female could be rejecting the male, causing him to be pinned into the corner, miss out on food, get beat up, etc. Such behavior can persist until the male dies.

 

[tylo92]

Here is a better video and some pics. https://youtube.com/shorts/DFrPoTr_tjs?feature=share

These clowns fought for about two weeks pretty brutally at times. They calmed down and haven’t seen any aggression in over two weeks now. Both of them had cuts around their mouth area and some fin damage. I waited a week to see if it would get better on its own but it didn’t.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Here is a better video and some pics. https://youtube.com/shorts/DFrPoTr_tjs?feature=share

These clowns fought for about two weeks pretty brutally at times. They calmed down and haven’t seen any aggression in over two weeks now. Both of them had cuts around their mouth area and some fin damage. I waited a week to see if it would get better on its own but it didn’t.

Then I think you may have an answer. Clown aggression can be extremely brutal, and given the fact that I don’t see any infection on the clown, I believe that it has been attacked one too many times. That’s how I lost one of mine. It didn’t even have too many marks, but was just deprived of food and relentlessly chased.

Your best bet to helping it (assuming my diagnosis is correct) is to separate them and provide the weak one with special care. You’ll need to forever keep them separate, because the female will never accept this one as a mate. Before doing anything, however, wait for others to weigh in with their thoughts.

 

[tylo92]

Unfortunately, the angles and distortion of video does not show much. perhaps still pics ?
Fish appears very distressed or moribund to the point it can not eat or swim properly and may end fatal.
Any white poop, heavy breathing, and lethargic behavior noticed last 24-48 hours ?

There has been no white poop in the QT tank. Up until this evening he was eating fine and have not noticed any heavy breathing.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Just wondering. If you move the heater that it is currently resting behind, what happens? Does it attempt to swim, or is it still weak? How does the other clownfish react when he moves around?

 

[tylo92]

Just wondering. If you move the heater that it is currently resting behind, what happens? Does it attempt to swim, or is it still weak? How does the other clownfish react when he moves around?

It is interesting you mention that. When I did that he was able to swim and both clowns started doing their pairing shakes for a minute until the lethargic one went to hide behind the bioblock.

 

[Sharkbait19]

It is interesting you mention that. When I did that he was able to swim and both clowns started doing their pairing shakes for a minute until the lethargic one went to hide behind the bioblock.

Interesting. It is quite possible that the clown is stressed about something, or perhaps sick and only behaves normally when disturbed. Right now, I think the best thing to do is monitor, specifically behavior between the pair. As far as disease goes, nothing seems amiss besides behavior, but I would certainly keep my eye out for illnesses, and be prepared to treat immediately.

 

[tylo92]

Good news:

Thanks to the advice, I separated the clowns. After separation, he started eating again. First live baby brine and then pellets. After a couple days, color returned to the clown that was near death. I put him back into the main tank with the other clown. In a day, he started losing color again. Pulled him out and He has been in the QT tanks since and is completely healed up around the jaw area.
I don’t know if I should try joining the clowns again that they are completely healed or if I should swap him out.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I wouldn’t try keeping them together, clearly the pair doesn’t get along and it would only result in the male’s death.