Clownfish Scratching

[clark griswold]

I've had this sustainable aquatics clownfish for a week. He's eating well. But today I've seen him scratch himself on a rock four or five times. He's acted totally healthy outside of these scratching incidents and ate normally today.

I see no outward signs of illness other than his lips look slightly pale. But they've always looked like that.

Tested water. Tank is ten weeks old.

0 ammonia
0 nitrite
10 ppm nitrate

Behaviorally only thing weird today is the other clownfish appears to be really trying to rub on him all the time like it wants to mate or something.

Any ideas? Likely illness or some weird clownfish mating behavior?

 

[clark griswold]

Tried to get a video of the scratching but of course it stopped when I got the camera out.

Here is what they've been doing since. The one acting weird is the orange one.

NVM. Won't let me upload video.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Tried to get a video of the scratching but of course it stopped when I got the camera out.

Here is what they've been doing since. The one acting weird is the orange one.

NVM. Won't let me upload video.

Save your video to YouTube then you can add a link.

 

[clark griswold]

 

[clark griswold]

Save your video to YouTube then you can add a link.

Thanks that worked.

 

[clark griswold]

From the video it seems like the phantom just won't leave him alone. Maybe stressing him out. They don't fight. Seems like they are starting to bond. It's just the scratching that has me worried.

 

[kirstyflash]

Watching

 

[clark griswold]

I couldn't get a video of the scratching unfortunately. Hasn't done it in an hour or two.

 

[Humblefish]

I couldn't get a video of the scratching unfortunately. Hasn't done it in an hour or two.

Are they both scratching or just one of the clownfish? What part of the body is targeted? Gills or ???

 

[clark griswold]

Are they both scratching or just one of the clownfish? What part of the body is targeted? Gills or ???

Only the orange one. Hard to say but it looked like mouth face area.

 

[Humblefish]

Only the orange one. Hard to say but it looked like mouth face area.

Could be flukes. Are you comfortable doing a FW dip to confirm??

 

[clark griswold]

Could be flukes. Are you comfortable doing a FW dip to confirm??

Are there directions on here somewhere how to do it properly?

 

[Humblefish]

Are there directions on here somewhere how to do it properly?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

 

[hdsoftail1065]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

 

[clark griswold]

Thanks. I can do that. But need a separate heater. Okay to do tomorrow? LFS is closed. Thanks for the advice.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

did you QT the fish?

if not, you have to get with the program.

 

[clark griswold]

did you QT the fish?

if not, you have to get with the program.

I didn't and I agree.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I didn't and I agree.

Nice response with the G.O.T gif...crack me up!

 

[clark griswold]

Quick question.

I'm going to FW dip today. Should I dip both clowns?

Even the one with no symptoms?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I don't know how humblefish would reply but if I had it set up I probably would. My theory, is if one has a parasite then chances are both have it now being housed in the same tank. But don't take my word, let the experts answer.