Fish swimming nose up

[Theaviator]

Hey guys. I’ve had a Blue Chromis now for about 3 years. He was the only tank habitant and always parked himself in the corner of the tank with his nose pointing up. He never really swam around just always seemed very scared. I recently acquired some snails and other clean up crew. His attitude didn’t change much. He just hid. Two days ago I introduced two clownfish and I see a bit of a change with him. He is now swimming around with the clown fish occasionally. But he does so with his nose at a 45 degree angle upwards. It’s definitely not a normal swim pattern either. I fed him this morning and he seemed to be trying to get the food but he was missing it. It was very odd. It looks like his stomach is a bit enlarged as well. I was reading about swim bladder and think maybe this could be the issue. I’m not sure how to treat him or if there is anything I can do. Do you all have any advice or is this the beginning of the end for poor Fred?

 

[blaxsun]

My chromis swim all the time like this at night - usually around the overflow box.

 

[Theaviator]

Interesting. Maybe it’s normal behavior. I’m not used to him swimming. He’s usually very immobile.

My chromis swim all the time like this at night - usually around the overflow box.

 

[blaxsun]

Interesting. Maybe it’s normal behavior. I’m not used to him swimming. He’s usually very immobile.

My clownfish also swim like this at night near the corners of the overflow. I think it’s the spot in the tank that provides the least flow so they don’t have to exert themselves.

 

[Theaviator]

Sad to say, Fred The fish died today. He progressively got worse and stopped moving today. This one sucks. He was my first fish and taught me a lot about keeping fish alive and healthy.
I wish I had even a little bit of a clue as to why he died. The only thing I can think is the clownfish picked on him. But I didn’t see any evidence of that. I may never know.