Clownfish tail rot or aggression victim? Help

JPergamo · Apr 28, 2016

I have had 2 perculas for over a week doing fine then today I came home from work and noticed that just the tail fin on both clowns is half gone and frayed. I added a swallowtail angel 2 days ago and I'm wondering if he is bullying the clowns? Or is there a specific fun rot disease that would only effect the clowns and only their tails? There is no sign of any disease other than the tail that I can tell.

Only have 2 perculas, 2 fairy wrasses and the swallowtail angel about 3 in long female in the tank. Thanks in advance for any knowledge or info.

melypr1985 · Apr 28, 2016

Pictures would be helpful. It's possible that they are picking on each other some, or that another fish has picked on them. The injury on both could be infected. Since the others dont have injuries to be infected, they dont show the signs. I'd like to see a picture still, but you can go ahead and get ahold of some Kanaplex or Furan 2. It's good to have on hand for the future as well. If it's not too bad you can just feed with healthy meaty options with added vitamin supplements like Selcon or Vitachem to help boost their immune system enough for them to fight off any infection and heal on there own.

JPergamo · Apr 28, 2016

Sorry this was the best I could get with the phone. I'm in the process of setting up a hospital tank now.

melypr1985 · Apr 28, 2016

Yeah, I think that warrants quick action and an antibiotic. One of the two listed above will work.... you can even combine the two if you need/want the extra coverage.

JPergamo · Apr 28, 2016

Quick action they received. Already in a hospital tank treated with API Furan -2. I threw a big rock in there to help fight ammonia. Now I need some advice on hospital tank specifics if anyone can help

melypr1985 · Apr 28, 2016

JPergamo said:
Quick action they received. Already in a hospital tank treated with API Furan -2. I threw a big rock in there to help fight ammonia. Now I need some advice on hospital tank specifics if anyone can help

I wouldn't advise using live rock in a QT. They can absorb some meds (especially things like copper) and leach them back out later effectively rendering the rock useless for use in the DT again. PVC elbows are a better substitute. Here's a link for more detailed info on QT set up.
http://reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

JPergamo · Apr 28, 2016

It was just a sump rock it is not essential to the DT at all. Gonna just leave it in qt. My main concern with doing the hospital tank is possible ammonia since it is setup so fast. Since I treated with furan-2, anti bacterial, should I be adding Dr tims or something to prevent an ammonia spike? That was my concern and why I threw the sump rock in

JPergamo · Apr 28, 2016

Well, I can honestly say I've given these guys my best effort, hope they pull through. How long should I leave them in the QT? Like I said earlier my other 3 fish look fine and dandy in the DT thank god.

melypr1985 · Apr 28, 2016

The rock should have enough bacteria on it to help with the ammonia. Definitely monitor the ammonia levels in the QT though and do water changes as needed. You'll want to treat wtih the furan 2 for 10 days straight. At that time you can reassess their situation and decided if further or different treatment is needed. Feed with vitamin supplements as well to help boost their immune system and keep the water very clean.

JPergamo · Apr 28, 2016

Ok will do. Thank you so much for your help. Fingers crossed.

melypr1985 · Apr 28, 2016

keep us updated ok?

JPergamo · Apr 29, 2016

Came home from work and one little guy didn't make it.

The other looks to be doing well but who knows. Totally bummed....

Triggreef · Apr 29, 2016

I'm not sold on bacterial infection although it is likely. Is there any haziness at all on their bodies, kind of like excess slime? It looks like there could be in the 2nd to last pick you posted in post #8. If so it could very well be brook which is a fast killer and very common with clowns.

Also in the small new QT, watch for cloudy water, which means ammonia. 50% water change per day or every other day would suffice to keep ammonia in check generally.

michellejy · Apr 29, 2016

Triggreef said:
I'm not sold on bacterial infection although it is likely. Is there any haziness at all on their bodies, kind of like excess slime? It looks like there could be in the 2nd to last pick you posted in post #8. If so it could very well be brook which is a fast killer and very common with clowns.

Are you seeing signs of odd swimming or loss of appetite?

JPergamo · Apr 29, 2016

Yea just changed some water out, tested ammonia 3 times in 1 day so far zero. The only visible symptom was the tail dissappearing on both fish the same day. The remaining clown just ate a bunch also, seems like he's alright, but the other succumbed between 6 am and now. No haziness or other markings on either body just the tail rot.

jsker · Apr 29, 2016

That is a bummer.

JPergamo · Apr 29, 2016

Food since the beginning is always soaked in selcon. I really am at a loss. A month and a half back in the hobby and I am remembering the bad old days fully again. Gotta keep my head up though I love this too much.

michellejy · Apr 29, 2016

JPergamo said:
Yea just changed some water out, tested ammonia 3 times in 1 day so far zero. The only visible symptom was the tail dissappearing on both fish the same day. The remaining clown just ate a bunch also, seems like he's alright, but the other succumbed between 6 am and now. No haziness or other markings on either body just the tail rot.

That's good. I don't want to make you overly paranoid or anything, but my clown succumbed to brook 2 weeks after introducing an infected fish (that died the night it was introduced). Since the new fish never showed signs, I didn't realize it was unhealthy. I noticed my fish was swimming oddly about a week after the other died, which I attributed to a fin injury. (I now know that one of the symptoms of brook is brittle fins.) She stopped eating too, and at each phase I thought I had figured out what was wrong, only to realize it was brook when the haze showed up. By then, it was too late.

I hope your other clown pulls through.

JPergamo · Apr 29, 2016

So my little buddy #2 doesn't look so hot either even though he ate a lot. He's swimming off, and I can't really tell but I think he may have a sort of white film like mentioned. What a terrible 2 days.... thanks for the help and responses guys I really appreciate it.