Fin Rot or something more?

[gdown]

Bought a pair of clowns last week and the male seems to have fin rot. I’m attaching a couple of pictures so someone with more experience and a good eye can help me out with a proper
diagnosis.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Bought a pair of clowns last week and the male seems to have fin rot. I’m attaching a couple of pictures so someone with more experience and a good eye can help me out with a proper
diagnosis.

Pics were delayed. Looks like aggression rather than fin rot
Are these guys squabbling that you’ve noticed?

 

[gdown]

Hope these are better

 

[gdown]

No they’ve been getting along fine. Happy and eating well

 

[MnFish1]

To me the fins are clamped (and damaged) - And it could be a number of things. Given the amount of damage - I would consider an antibiotic treatment. The pictures under blue light are a bit hard to interpret - but to me it looks like something else is 'going on'. Would it be possible for you to click the link in my signature - which has a list of questions you can answer to help us help you? Thanks. Since they are eating, etc - its probably not an emergency - but I would take it as an 'urgent' issue

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I wouldn’t 100% rule out tank mate aggression in this case - the other clown’s fins are fine, yet this one has every fin with the edges ragged and torn. Clowns are very sly, while you are watching them, they behave like little angels. You can try video recording the fish while you leave the room. That still might not catch the actual issue, the one clown may only be actually biting the others fins a few seconds out of every day.
Jay

 

[gdown]

I wouldn’t 100% rule out tank mate aggression in this case - the other clown’s fins are fine, yet this one has every fin with the edges ragged and torn. Clowns are very sly, while you are watching them, they behave like little angels. You can try video recording the fish while you leave the room. That still might not catch the actual issue, the one clown may only be actually biting the others fins a few seconds out of every day.
Jay

Jay, I’ll give it a try. I have a couple of GoPros that I can set up. Thanks for the reply

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Jay, I’ll give it a try. I have a couple of GoPros that I can set up. Thanks for the reply

Watch for "near misses" where one clown makes a furtive rush at the other. In most of these cases, contact is not made, but that is a strong indication that once in awhile, there is a bite happening.

Jay

 

[MnFish1]

My opinion - (@Jay Hemdal ) correct my opinion if you think warranted. That is not a subtle amount of damage. Would you do prophylactic treatment - or ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My opinion - (@Jay Hemdal ) correct my opinion if you think warranted. That is not a subtle amount of damage. Would you do prophylactic treatment - or ?

Well, first step would be to isolate the fish. If erosion continues, then a secondary bacterial infection is likely and that would require a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic.
Jay

 

[gdown]

Watch for "near misses" where one clown makes a furtive rush at the other. In most of these cases, contact is not made, but that is a strong indication that once in awhile, there is a bite happening.

Jay

I’ll watch, but most of the time they swim side by side. I appreciate you helping me out. If I witness any kind of aggression I will let you know thanks again

 

[gdown]

Well, first step would be to isolate the fish. If erosion continues, then a secondary bacterial infection is likely and that would require a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic.
Jay

I do have a quarantine tank set up, I’ll move him in there asap.

 

[Kiboshed]

I am having a similar problem right now as well.

Won't removing the male and then reintroducing him just increase the aggression against him? I don't have a QT, but might have to set one up now as there is a small nip out of the bottom of my males tail fin that is turning white.

Sticky situation. Remove the male and get him healed then put him back in to get beat up, don't remove him and his infection continues to spread and he likely dies. Is there a way to treat him in the DT that won't hurt my corals and inverts?

Will the damage and bullying be a constant issue?

They seem friendly and even sleep in the same sand nest together most of the time, just every once in a while it seems like the female just gets annoyed with the male and nips at him

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I am having a similar problem right now as well.

Won't removing the male and then reintroducing him just increase the aggression against him? I don't have a QT, but might have to set one up now as there is a small nip out of the bottom of my males tail fin that is turning white.

Sticky situation. Remove the male and get him healed then put him back in to get beat up, don't remove him and his infection continues to spread and he likely dies. Is there a way to treat him in the DT that won't hurt my corals and inverts?

Will the damage and bullying be a constant issue?

They seem friendly and even sleep in the same sand nest together most of the time, just every once in a while it seems like the female just gets annoyed with the male and nips at him

Correct - if you separate the clowns, you may not get them back together, but if you don't separate then, one may eventually kill the other. Pairing clownfish is not always straightforward.

You could try posting some video on the clownfish forum to see if anyone has any tricks or tips for you.

Jay