Clownfish illness or just stressed???

[TJClown]

Hi all,

I recently posted but was not receiving the help that I needed. Hopefully, someone can help me.

I recently got 3 clownfish (all of the same species) earlier this month. They were all doing fine, the tank was cycled (live sand), parameters were all good (ammonia- 0ppm, nitrate- 0ppm, nitrite- 0ppm, temp 78-79 F, salinity 1.019). Everything was fine.

On the 10th is when things went sour. Nitrite/nitrate levels were high (but ammonia was still 0ppm). And they had super fast gill movements... I conducted freshwater dips because maybe some gill flukes hitchhiked. That improved their appetite and they ate Mysis shrimp. Two days later it got worse. They had increased gill movements and dusty white spots on them. I ruled that it was ich so I treated with rid ich. After a week or so I stopped treatments because the appetite improved and gill movements improved. I added some fresh carbon and called it a day. I recently noticed the same symptoms but this time no dustiness. Just increased fill movements, flashing, staying in one spot (either pointing down into the sand or toward the light), and white/yellowish stringy poop. So I treated 1/2 dose of general cure.


Today, the nitrite/ nitrate levels were relativly high nitrite .5ppm and nitrate 1.0ppm, ammonia 0ppm. I treated with seachem prime and brought each down by 1/2... They are still displaying the same behavior. I am at a loss and would love some advice. Is it something that I did by stopping rid ich treatment? Should I find a new medication for internal parasites or should I continue with past treatments (such as GC)?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all,

I recently posted but was not receiving the help that I needed. Hopefully, someone can help me.

I recently got 3 clownfish (all of the same species) earlier this month. They were all doing fine, the tank was cycled (live sand), parameters were all good (ammonia- 0ppm, nitrate- 0ppm, nitrite- 0ppm, temp 78-79 F, salinity 1.019). Everything was fine.

On the 10th is when things went sour. Nitrite/nitrate levels were high (but ammonia was still 0ppm). And they had super fast gill movements... I conducted freshwater dips because maybe some gill flukes hitchhiked. That improved their appetite and they ate Mysis shrimp. Two days later it got worse. They had increased gill movements and dusty white spots on them. I ruled that it was ich so I treated with rid ich. After a week or so I stopped treatments because the appetite improved and gill movements improved. I added some fresh carbon and called it a day. I recently noticed the same symptoms but this time no dustiness. Just increased fill movements, flashing, staying in one spot (either pointing down into the sand or toward the light), and white/yellowish stringy poop. So I treated 1/2 dose of general cure.


Today, the nitrite/ nitrate levels were relativly high nitrite .5ppm and nitrate 1.0ppm, ammonia 0ppm. I treated with seachem prime and brought each down by 1/2... They are still displaying the same behavior. I am at a loss and would love some advice. Is it something that I did by stopping rid ich treatment? Should I find a new medication for internal parasites or should I continue with past treatments (such as GC)?

I suspect water quality. While not impossible, the zero readings are unusual
-what test kits are you using?
Any pics of fish under white lighting?

 

[TJClown]

I suspect water quality. While not impossible, the zero readings are unusual
-what test kits are you using?
Any pics of fish under white lighting?

I am using API saltwater test kit, double-checking with API test strips.

 

[TJClown]

I suspect water quality. While not impossible, the zero readings are unusual
-what test kits are you using?
Any pics of fish under white lighting?

And no I dont have any pictures. Is it possible it could be early stages of marine velvet? I do not see any "white spots" anymore. but does it always have to be visible for the clownfish to show symtoms?

 

[vetteguy53081]

And no I dont have any pictures. Is it possible it could be early stages of marine velvet? I do not see any "white spots" anymore. but does it always have to be visible for the clownfish to show symtoms?

Can be or even brooklynella which often mimics ich.
with brook, color of fish will become hazy, mucus around face and gills, loss of appetite, lethargic behavior and rapid breathing as it progresses

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am using API saltwater test kit, double-checking with API test strips.

Unfortunately, api test kits are notorious for false readings and the strips are worse when it comes to reliability
You may likely be getting false readings which are higher than given
My suggestion- take a good water sample to a trusted LFS that does not use API test kits and see what readings they come up with

 

[damsels are not mean]

Hi all,

I recently posted but was not receiving the help that I needed. Hopefully, someone can help me.

I recently got 3 clownfish (all of the same species) earlier this month. They were all doing fine, the tank was cycled (live sand), parameters were all good (ammonia- 0ppm, nitrate- 0ppm, nitrite- 0ppm, temp 78-79 F, salinity 1.019). Everything was fine.

On the 10th is when things went sour. Nitrite/nitrate levels were high (but ammonia was still 0ppm). And they had super fast gill movements... I conducted freshwater dips because maybe some gill flukes hitchhiked. That improved their appetite and they ate Mysis shrimp. Two days later it got worse. They had increased gill movements and dusty white spots on them. I ruled that it was ich so I treated with rid ich. After a week or so I stopped treatments because the appetite improved and gill movements improved. I added some fresh carbon and called it a day. I recently noticed the same symptoms but this time no dustiness. Just increased fill movements, flashing, staying in one spot (either pointing down into the sand or toward the light), and white/yellowish stringy poop. So I treated 1/2 dose of general cure.


Today, the nitrite/ nitrate levels were relativly high nitrite .5ppm and nitrate 1.0ppm, ammonia 0ppm. I treated with seachem prime and brought each down by 1/2... They are still displaying the same behavior. I am at a loss and would love some advice. Is it something that I did by stopping rid ich treatment? Should I find a new medication for internal parasites or should I continue with past treatments (such as GC)?

How dusty? Lots of small spots = velvet. Velvet can also stay invisible in the gills if it is not eradicated initially. Which would explain heavy breathing. You could try a bath in H2O2 as detailed here to provide at least temporary relief https://humble.fish/hydrogen-peroxide/

peroxide dips can cure velvet on the fish, but the issue is that it may linger in the tank.