Fin Rot or Crab Attack on my Clown?

fishy4thomas · Jun 11, 2020

SO I have 2 ocellaris clownfish. While I was feeding them this morning, I noticed my female had some tail and right ventral fin missing. First I thought it was attacked by my emerald crab, but then I began to worry and think it was fin rot. I have noticed that my clowns are swimming around the crab quite often, and even taunt him on some occasions. Please tell me what this could be. Thx! Btw the fish are taunting the crab as I write this.

Big G · Jun 11, 2020

Fin Rot is a bacterial infection that usually has the tell-tale white-ish/grey sometimes translucent appearance of the fin. Plus the fin usually looks ragged. While I'd keep an eye on the area for those signs, the areas on your clown look more like tears/injury.

fishy4thomas · Jun 11, 2020

Big G said:
Fin Rot is a bacterial infection that usually has the tell-tale white-ish/grey sometimes translucent appearance of the fin. Plus the fin usually looks ragged. While I'd keep an eye on the area for those signs, the areas on your clown look more like tears/injury.

I feel more relieved hearing this. And the tears will grow back, correct?

ParkerK · Jun 11, 2020

Well if I were in your position get rid of the crab! I have one and all he does is play with my toadstool and makes it close... still have to catch him. If you want to find out if it’s the crab or the bacterial infection get rid of the crab, maybe get a quarantine box too for the tank so ur clown doesn’t spread it to the other if it is the bacteria! Hope this helps

tjclapp · Jun 11, 2020

Big G said:
Fin Rot is a bacterial infection that usually has the tell-tale white-ish/grey sometimes translucent appearance of the fin. Plus the fin usually looks ragged. While I'd keep an eye on the area for those signs, the areas on your clown look more like tears/injury.

I definitely agree. Looks like the clown may have gotten a little beat up, but they are very hard and should heal. I do not think this is fin rot

Big G · Jun 11, 2020

fishy4thomas said:
I feel more relieved hearing this. And the tears will grow back, correct?

Yes, usually. Might take awhile depending on what was damaged. If it's the skin, it should heal rather quickly; if it is one of fin's rays that has been removed, then it's a maybe. Most likely the skin though.

ParkerK · Jun 11, 2020

tjclapp said:
I definitely agree. Looks like the clown may have gotten a little beat up, but they are very hard and should heal. I do not think this is fin rot

Agreed

Big G · Jun 11, 2020

Crabs are so cool looking in a tank. But make no mistake, they are predators. Get yourself a Coral Banded Shrimp if you like cool looking inverts.

fishy4thomas · Jun 11, 2020

ParkerK said:
Agreed

Thank goodness

ParkerK · Jun 11, 2020

Big G said:
Crabs are so cool looking in a tank. But make no mistake, they are predators. Get yourself a Coral Banded Shrimp if you like cool looking inverts.

I have a fire shrimp and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made for my tank!!!

fishy4thomas · Jun 12, 2020

ParkerK said:
I have a fire shrimp and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made for my tank!!!

Yeah I was talking with my dad yesterday and we decided that would be the best option, because I'm quite attached to my clowns and dont want them getting hurt. What would I do with my emerald crab though? Keep it? Or give it back to the store or smth?

Big G · Jun 12, 2020

Re-home or return the crab. Those things are nothing but trouble LOL .

fishy4thomas · Jun 12, 2020

Big G said:
Re-home or return the crab. Those things are nothing but trouble LOL .
[/QUOTE
Ok. Thats sounds like a good idea. I was also thinking, is it possible for the clowns to nip at each other while trying to assert dominance? I got them about a month and a half ago, but they get along really well.

Big G · Jun 12, 2020

Oh, yeah. Lots of postings about pairs of clowns nipping at each other as they try to settle in.

fishy4thomas · Jun 12, 2020

Big G said:
Oh, yeah. Lots of postings about pairs of clowns nipping at each other as they try to settle in.

It will stop though, right?

Big G · Jun 12, 2020

Usually things will calm down once dominance has been established. But make no mistake, Clownfish are part of the Damsel family and are well known for varying degrees of aggression. Some will bite you hands when you are doing maintenance. Heck, one member posted last year that he was bit on the eyeball by his clownfish while bending over the tank doing some work. Yikes!

zoablasto · Jun 12, 2020

Maybe got scratched from rocks?

ParkerK · Jun 13, 2020

fishy4thomas said:
Yeah I was talking with my dad yesterday and we decided that would be the best option, because I'm quite attached to my clowns and dont want them getting hurt. What would I do with my emerald crab though? Keep it? Or give it back to the store or smth?

Trade it in with your local LFS and they should give you a hermit which will be more reef safe! Good luck!