Clowns being clowns or swim bladder?

[Anthrilliel]

My clowns have been swimming like this for the past week. Is this just a clown thing or should I be worried? Filter was on, powerhead was off at that time. Still eating normally.

Water parameters have been steady.

Temp.78.5F
Salinity 1.025
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 20
Ammonia 0
PH 7.9
Phos 0.2
Alk 12.8

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[Impala67]

My clowns have been swimming like this for the past week. Is this just a clown thing or should I be worried? Filter was on, powerhead was off at that time. Still eating normally.

Water parameters have been steady.

Temp.78.5F
Salinity 1.025
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 20
Ammonia 0
PH 7.9
Phos 0.2
Alk 12.8

Shared album from Maria 📸

Tap to view!

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Ya something is definitely up I’ve never seen a clown do that ever. If it is swim blather it’s a bacterial infection that can be treated I use herbatana that’s the best I can think of don’t feed them for a day or two that also helps

 

[Sidsreef]

You shouldn't let your nitrates get past 10 I would do a water change and see if that helps

 

[Marten]

It appears to be a buoyancy issue, if you notice when they are not actively swimming downwards, they are floating back up to the surface.

 

[LiveFreeAndReef]

You shouldn't let your nitrates get past 10 I would do a water change and see if that helps

Not entirely true, it's important to have some nutrients in your system and 20ppm isn't bad at all.

 

[Uzidaisies]

With the buoyancy problem and the distended abdomen, it could be swim bladder disease. @Jay Hemdal or @vetteguy53081 can probably help you more than i can.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Struggling to maintain a normal swimming position is relevant to swim bladder infection or similar iternal issue/symptom.
If severe buoyancy problems exist, the fish may not be able to feed normally or even reach the surface of the water. This disorder is sometimes caused by compression of the swim bladder, which may involve a distended stomach from rapidly eating, overeating, constipation, or gulping air, which is thought to occur with floating foods. Eating freeze-dried or dry flake food that expands when it becomes wet can also lead to an enlarged stomach or intestinal tract.
Other causes are :

• Trauma/Injury
• Bacterial infection
• Parasitic infection
• Stress/rapidly changing water parameters
• Poor water quality

Water change(s) may help and antibiotic should also help. Kanamyacin o neomyacyn should help great and best done in a quarantine tank

 

[James M]

You shouldn't let your nitrates get past 10 I would do a water change and see if that helps

That’s false. I keep mine around 20

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

That’s false. I keep mine around 20

That’s false. I keep mine at 17.239

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

O.K. folks, let's get back to the problem with the OP's fish. Nitrates are not the issue.

As @vetteguy53081 said, this is positive buoyancy. It could be from a bacterial infection of the air bladder, or it could be gas in the digestive system. Both issues are difficult to treat.

What foods have you been feeding it?
I wouldn't feed it for now, it can easily go 48 hours without eating. That may allow any blockage/gas to clear.
If it is an internal bacterial infection of the air bladder, that would require antibiotics in a treatment tank, do you have that option?

Jay