Clownfish not eating day 4

[jtlong]

I have an Evo 13.5 and I have 2 new clownfish. There are no other fish just a new assortment of LPS corals mostly. My nitrite levels were at a .5 for the first 3 days and I did a 50% water change. The tank is 4 weeks old and has cycled.
upon putting the fish in (2x occys) they began hosting the overflow. The larger of the two has ventured out and done a little exploring and shows interest in me when I come around. However they have not eaten yet. I have given them 1mm pellets, and some larger ones, flakes, and some frozen shrimp with 0 luck. As seen in the video there are plenty of ‘pods’ in the tank, and the food is floating right by them. They show interest but have yet to eat anything. I need some help here!
Thanks in advance!
(Video won’t upload for some reason)

 

[killer2001]

Try frozen mysis and if that don't work hatch out live baby brine shrimp. If neither work, you may want to start thinking about quarantining.

 

[jtlong]

Try frozen mysis and if that don't work hatch out live baby brine shrimp. If neither work, you may want to start thinking about quarantining.

I tried the mysis shrimp,,,it’s in the frozen cubes I stated that I bought….

 

[rickylift81]

Baby brine shrimp work for my clowns. They also hosted the overflow. And didn't eat for days.. now they eat pellets and flakes also

 

[fishguy242]

hi, any new pics from today, did you FW dip before adding ?
seem to have a whiteish hue to body ? #fishmedic

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

This fellow looks sick

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Can you try posting a YouTube video? With clownfish, being able to see their swimming behavior and breathing rate really helps identify issues with them.
Jay

 

[Sharkbait19]

By hosting the overflow, does it look like they’re just hanging out there or actively swimming into it?

 

[jtlong]

They seem to be way more active today, and some pellets seem to be missing from the bottom of the tank…..I think.

 

[jtlong]

They were just hanging out there, it seems to be a spot where there is no or little water movement.

 

[jtlong]

hi, any new pics from today, did you FW dip before adding ?
seem to have a whiteish hue to body ? #fishmedic

I have had a fish that did have a whitish hue, however this one has always been the same, I think it’s just a bad photo….a bit of a glare.

 

[fishguy242]

They seem normal , try little bits of food few times a day to get them eating

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

They seem to be way more active today, and some pellets seem to be missing from the bottom of the tank…..I think.

The tan clown is breathing a bit fast. I can’t see the mouth on the black clown but it is swimming good.
Did I miss it - what’s the ammonia level?
Can you add an air stone to the tank?
Jay

 

[The_Paradox]

Sorry if you posted and I didn’t see it but did you order them or pick up local? Not sure why but every clownfish I have ordered takes a long time to eat. Most recently I had a maroon that I didn’t see eat for a week. It turns out they were picking off pods after the lights went out. Best thing to do is just watch behavior.

 

[Kellie in CA]

The old garlic soak worked for me last week with a new fish.

 

[jtlong]

The tan clown is breathing a bit fast. I can’t see the mouth on the black clown but it is swimming good.
Did I miss it - what’s the ammonia level?
Can you add an air stone to the tank?
Jay

So I woke up this morning and the little guys were dead... I have an air stone in my pump sump, but I have been playing with it as I have read mixed reviews on how that affects corals…mine are mostly lps and seem to be finicky. See attachment..
I got them from the LFS. Short ride to the house.
So I am going to start fresh, I will be getting a proper water test, but what else should I do?
A freshwater dip?

 

[fishguy242]

Sorry to hear, 1st thought ,going fallow for 72 days, we don't know what killed them...

 

[exnisstech]

The tank is only 4 weeks old, how did you cycle it? Have you tested for ammonia? The test strip (which aren't very accurate looks like 0 nitrate which if correct to me would indicate the tank is not cycled. If that is the case then ammonia very well may have been the cause. Also pH is very low. I would recommend more accurate test kits and verifying the cycle before adding live stock again. JMO

 

[jtlong]

The tank is only 4 weeks old, how did you cycle it? Have you tested for ammonia? The test strip (which aren't very accurate looks like 0 nitrate which if correct to me would indicate the tank is not cycled. If that is the case then ammonia very well may have been the cause. Also pH is very low. I would recommend more accurate test kits and verifying the cycle before adding live stock again. JMO

I think you probably read my post about what I am going to do! I used live rock and turbo start to get things going. My nitrate levels are acceptable, and nitrite which is toxic to fish and a direct derivative of Amina all show that my bacteria and filter are doing their job! Since it is a new week it has been 5 weeks…not that any test strip is conclusive, which is why I will have a test done this afternoon.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

+1, I didn’t see an ammonia test and the pH strip is reading really low (but those strips are often inaccurate). You’ll need to double check those values, your store should be able to help you with that.

+1 on also needing the tank to remain fishless for 60 to 75 days to let any possible diseases die out.

Jay