HELP!

brett042001 · Dec 28, 2016

I purchased a clownfish 2 days ago and it has being acting fine. After it ate today, it started swimming downward and his stomach is bloated! I'm scared if he will exhaust himself! Is there anyway to fix a bloated clown?!

Triggreef · Dec 28, 2016

They do that sometimes, my female actually sits upside down in her nem. Almost all the time.

twilliard · Dec 28, 2016

Welcome to R2R!
Lets see if we can get some eyes on this.
@melypr1985
Maybe move to the fish forum?

melypr1985 · Dec 28, 2016

How much did it eat? Fish in general can over-eat and appear bloated like that. Clowns swim weird as a matter of course so I wouldn't be too worried unless the bloating didn't get better by tomorrow. Also check for white stringy poop as a sign of intestinal worms.

brett042001 · Dec 28, 2016

They may have eaten to much but I just I want to help it somehow. It scares me since I am starting in the hobby for the first time!

brett042001 · Dec 28, 2016

he keeps tipping to his side and his stomach is swollen and that wasn't like that a day ago. His body wants to float to the top!

melypr1985 · Dec 28, 2016

brett042001 said:
They may have eaten to much but I just I want to help it somehow. It scares me since I am starting in the hobby for the first time!

You may not be able to help him right now. The best thing you can do is wait it out. If his stomach is back to normal tomorrow then it's nothing to worry about.... just a bit of over-eating. The best advice I can give you is to never panic since it can cause more harm than good.

Now the other option here is a swim bladder issue which is difficult to fix without "surgery". I haven't seen this in clowns really, so I'm not leaning that way, but it's possible. So are intestinal worms which can cause a swollen abdomen, so watch for the white stringy poo.

A picture might help tell us something new if you can get a good clear one.

brett042001 · Dec 28, 2016

That's the best picture I can get but you can't see the bloating that much. Sorry, but the clown won't stay still, I just don't want them to die and since they are the first saltwater fish I have had I am more worried.

melypr1985 · Dec 28, 2016

I wouldn't worry about the stomach right now. From that picture he looks fine. Check him tomorrow and see if his stomach has gone back to normal. I bet it will have. Try not to worry about him, I don't see much cause for it yet.

brett042001 · Dec 29, 2016

I woke up this morning and my clownfish is fine. He must of had trapped air or to much food bit he's all good now. I just joined this yesterday and it's already helped me. Thanks you everyone!

melypr1985 · Dec 29, 2016

brett042001 said:
I woke up this morning and my clownfish is fine. He must of had trapped air or to much food bit he's all good now. I just joined this yesterday and it's already helped me. Thanks you everyone!

That's awesome news and Welcome to R2R!