Help Please!

[Big G]

Might be a couple of things going on here. Could be internal parasites and some constipation. Both often shut down a fish's desire to eat. Below are treatments from Humblefish's guidelines.

Internal/intestinal parasites:

Symptoms - Internal parasites are also “worms,” but these target a fish’s intestines. As a result, the main symptom is white stringy poop. It has to be white; brownstringy poop, for example, can just mean intestinal irritation which requires no treatment.

Treatment options - API General Cure (a medication containing both praziquantel and metronidazole). Some species of internal worms are resistant to prazi, while others are resistant to metro, but usually not both. :wink: Seachem MetroPlex can be dosed directly in QT, or soaking fish food with it provides an alternative (and reef safe) treatment option. Two other available options are: Paracide-X (mixed in food) and Paracide-D (in-tank treatment).


Swim Bladder Disorder/fish constipation:

Symptoms - Both of these have identical symptoms, but fish with swim bladder disorder generally do not survive. So your best bet is to treat for constipation and hope for the best. The fish will swim erratically, and appear to have difficulty maintaining its equilibrium. It may appear buoyant at the surface of the water, sometimes swimming in circles.

Treatment options - Feed 1 or 2 peeled boiled green peas (same kind you & I eat). Repeat daily even if the fish’s condition improves. The fiber contained in the peas will help “push things out.” If dealing with a fish that refuses to eat, you can try Epsom salt (as a laxative) or an antibiotic such as Kanamycin (aka Seachem Kanaplex) that lists diarrhea as a possible side effect.

Epsom Salt:

How To Treat - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Repeat only once, if necessary. Use only “USP” grade Epsom salt.

Pros - Reef safe, as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate.

Cons/Side Effects - The effects of excessive sulfate in a reef aquarium are not fully known.

 

[Ryana4d]

Might be a couple of things going on here. Could be internal parasites and some constipation. Both often shut down a fish's desire to eat. Below are treatments from Humblefish's guidelines.

Internal/intestinal parasites:

Symptoms - Internal parasites are also “worms,” but these target a fish’s intestines. As a result, the main symptom is white stringy poop. It has to be white; brownstringy poop, for example, can just mean intestinal irritation which requires no treatment.

Treatment options - API General Cure (a medication containing both praziquantel and metronidazole). Some species of internal worms are resistant to prazi, while others are resistant to metro, but usually not both. :wink: Seachem MetroPlex can be dosed directly in QT, or soaking fish food with it provides an alternative (and reef safe) treatment option. Two other available options are: Paracide-X (mixed in food) and Paracide-D (in-tank treatment).


Swim Bladder Disorder/fish constipation:

Symptoms - Both of these have identical symptoms, but fish with swim bladder disorder generally do not survive. So your best bet is to treat for constipation and hope for the best. The fish will swim erratically, and appear to have difficulty maintaining its equilibrium. It may appear buoyant at the surface of the water, sometimes swimming in circles.

Treatment options - Feed 1 or 2 peeled boiled green peas (same kind you & I eat). Repeat daily even if the fish’s condition improves. The fiber contained in the peas will help “push things out.” If dealing with a fish that refuses to eat, you can try Epsom salt (as a laxative) or an antibiotic such as Kanamycin (aka Seachem Kanaplex) that lists diarrhea as a possible side effect.

Epsom Salt:

How To Treat - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Repeat only once, if necessary. Use only “USP” grade Epsom salt.

Pros - Reef safe, as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate.

Cons/Side Effects - The effects of excessive sulfate in a reef aquarium are not fully known.

Thanks for all the info/feedback!! I’ll look at these.

 

[Ryana4d]

Everyone, thanks for all the quick and informative thoughts/info!! I’m going to try a couple and let y’all know! I had bought the metroplex last night. I’m going to get some Epsom salt and try that as well.

 

[Ryana4d]

Closer pic

 

[Big G]

get some Epsom salt

Make sure it's the plain old USP Epsom without any additives, scents, etc.

 

[Ryana4d]

Absolutely! Thanks for the reminder! I remember learning about scented stuff and not having scented candles/aerosols in the room. Didn’t know that when I first got in the hobby a few years ago. I’ve had these 2 clowns since then so not only were they expensive, they are Extra sentimental(love all my fish like my kids). I had planned on putting them in a separate tank eventually to spawn them. Had them since they were babies between like 1/4-1/2” long.. I’m sure everyone has similar stories/feelings, this has been a great community of people who care deeply for their animals! Thanks again I’ll update.

Make sure it's the plain old USP Epsom without any additives, scents, etc.

 

[Humblefish]

I wouldn't dose Metroplex into a DT w/nems. I believe @Bob Loblaw had a bad experience one time with metro and a gig. (He'll correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

If the fish is not eating, he needs to be QTd and treated in there. (Unless you wanted to try dosing Epsom salt - 1 tablespoon per 5 gals - to help relieve constipation.)

Also, have you seen white stringy poop come out of him? I'm running behind today, so I didn't get a chance to read through this entire thread.

 

[Ryana4d]

I have not seen him pooping at all.. Woops already dosed whole tank with metro, nems look fine So Far.... After this I will set up a QT tank for the future, money has been tight.. But it’s not worth it plus I plan on adding some nicer corals when I place my other corals back(in friends tank). I’m trying the plain Epsom now. Thank you for your feedback!!

I wouldn't dose Metroplex into a DT w/nems. I believe @Bob Loblaw had a bad experience one time with metro and a gig. (He'll correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

If the fish is not eating, he needs to be QTd and treated in there. (Unless you wanted to try dosing Epsom salt - 1 tablespoon per 5 gals - to help relieve constipation.)

Also, have you seen white stringy poop come out of him? I'm running behind today, so I didn't get a chance to read through this entire thread.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

I wouldn't dose Metroplex into a DT w/nems. I believe @Bob Loblaw had a bad experience one time with metro and a gig. (He'll correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

You remember correctly. Mysid mixed with Metro/Focus killed a S. gigantea in one of my tanks. Didn't take much either.

 

[Ryana4d]

My fingers are crossed

You remember correctly. Mysid mixed with Metro/Focus killed a S. gigantea in one of my tanks. Didn't take much either.

m

 

[raullbaldwin]

My fingers are crossed

m

Hi
I believe all the recommendations you have now are great.
But I think you have to test your water professionally.
Only then you will be able to say that your water is perfect and you don't have any contaminants.
I have been in your place before. Must of us love our fish as pets and even put names to all of them.
One of my tanks is a 60G tank with 6 Bubble tip anemones (all of them came from one that split and I had ro gave away many) and one 5 year old Maroon Clownfish that isreally one of my favorites.
You have to think also on the rest of your fish and ensure that they will be OK for years to come.
My recommendation is that you send your water to Triton (www.triton.de)
It will take at least 2 weeks for the results to be available.
Then you will know exactly what is in your water and how to fix it if it's necessary.
I wish you good luck and that you are successful on getting your Clownfish back in perfect conditions.

 

[Ryana4d]

Hi
I believe all the recommendations you have now are great.
But I think you have to test your water professionally.
Only then you will be able to say that your water is perfect and you don't have any contaminants.
I have been in your place before. Must of us love our fish as pets and even put names to all of them.
One of my tanks is a 60G tank with 6 Bubble tip anemones (all of them came from one that split and I had ro gave away many) and one 5 year old Maroon Clownfish that isreally one of my favorites.
You have to think also on the rest of your fish and ensure that they will be OK for years to come.
My recommendation is that you send your water to Triton (www.triton.de)
It will take at least 2 weeks for the results to be available.
Then you will know exactly what is in your water and how to fix it if it's necessary.
I wish you good luck and that you are successful on getting your Clownfish back in perfect conditions.

Great point, like I said any and all advice is Greatly appreciated.