Clownfish issue

moistowlette11 · May 31, 2019

Man, my clownfish is acting weird. So yesterday I had a wiring issue with my pump so I ordered a new one and patched this one up. Then I noted my small male ocellaris clown acting weird. I'll see if I can post it. Swimming in circles at an extreme, rapid pace and then suddenly stopping and breathing with labor and flared gills. Then, back to normal. So, I thought, must be stray voltage. Unplugged pump, plugged in bubbler until new pump comes in today. Any ideas?

BestMomEver · May 31, 2019

@ngoodermuth @HotRocks @4FordFamily

ngoodermuth · May 31, 2019

Stray voltage is as good of an explanation as any if you were just working on damaged equipment.

I can’t see the attachment unfortunately, if it’s a video, will need hosted on another site like YouTube or Vimeo and linked.

Xam · May 31, 2019

Is it repeating for more than 24 hours, and how are your other fish (if any)?

I ask because my clowns do the weirdest things. I think all clowns are a little crazy by default, so I wouldn't worry until its persistent and/or other stock are showing signs of distress.

moistowlette11 · May 31, 2019

Here is a video, for reference

moistowlette11 · May 31, 2019

My other fish seem fine, and, it hasn't been 24 hours yet

Xam · May 31, 2019

Yikes. I think you can rule out stray voltage then, but your clown is definitely in distress. Maybe an injury of some sort. I'll step back and hopefully the R2R pros here like ngoodermuth can tell you what's up.

Aardvark1134 · May 31, 2019

Looks like your clown found some crack.

How long til your new pump arrives?

bluprntguy · May 31, 2019

How long have the fish been in the tank and what quarantine procedures if any?

moistowlette11 · May 31, 2019

Aardvark1134 said:
Looks like your clown found some crack.

How long til your new pump arrives?

Pump will be here today!

moistowlette11 · May 31, 2019

bluprntguy said:
How long have the fish been in the tank and what quarantine procedures if any?

Fish have been in tank for over 8 weeks, they are the first fish in this system. No problems prior to this

bluprntguy · May 31, 2019

If there aren’t any other visible symptoms, I’d suspect flukes. Is it possible to get the clown out for a freshwater dip? After the dip, you’ll want to check the bottom of the container to see if anything came off. Flukes show up as small little white specks in the bottom of the container, so a dark container is helpful.

If you can’t get the clown out, or aren’t comfortable doing the freshwater dip, you can jump straight to treating the tank with prazipro. If you do find flukes in the freshwater dip, you’ll also need to treat the tank. 2 treatments 6 days apart. Prazipro is reef safe.

4FordFamily · May 31, 2019

That's not good, looks neurological to me. It could also just be toward the end of it's ability to fight off parasites, and unable to control itself. Is it an accurate observation that it has a white filmy coat on it? If so, this is likely brook.

moistowlette11 · May 31, 2019

4FordFamily said:
That's not good, looks neurological to me. It could also just be toward the end of it's ability to fight off parasites, and unable to control itself. Is it an accurate observation that it has a white filmy coat on it? If so, this is likely brook.

No, no white filmy coat. Man, I have no idea. Seems fine this am though, and ate very well.
My new pump will be in today. I'm just at a loss for words.

moistowlette11 · May 31, 2019

I think I am going to try a freshwater dip. How concerned should I be that this will stress him out more?

4FordFamily · May 31, 2019

allison Dale lisney said:
I think I am going to try a freshwater dip. How concerned should I be that this will stress him out more?

It will add stress but if a parasite is ailing it may well be the best course of action. I still feel it’s something neurological in nature but it’s worth ruling things like flukes out.