Is this normal? My first clownfish.

[averytanky]

My clownfish is swimming around a bit differently today. He basically is different every day in regards to where he decides to camp out, but this looks a little strange to me, I don't know what he's doing.

Is he okay? Is he just being weird?

 

[code4]

Looks to be scratching. Was he quarantined? Any spots on him? How old is the tank.

Shelley

 

[dbl]

Clowns are weird. If you don't see any obviuous abnormalities and it's eating, it's probably just a clown being a clown.

 

[averytanky]

Looks to be scratching. Was he quarantined? Any spots on him? How old is the tank.

Shelley

He's been in the tank a month now fine, no spots, here's him more up close.

 

[averytanky]

YouTube ruins my video quality......

 

[Roy 9121]

I'd keep an eye on him, looks like he's scratching to me. That could be a sign of some skin parasite.

 

[averytanky]

I'd keep an eye on him, looks like he's scratching to me. That could be a sign of some skin parasite.

Should I go out and buy any medicine before the pet stores close??

 

[code4]

A freshwater dip could tell you if it is flukes.

Shelley

 

[code4]

Look at the fish disease forum. There is a list of meds to keep on hand there somewhere.

 

[averytanky]

He's seems fine today, after research I found that sometimes female clowns do this to mark territory for where they will lay their eggs, she's the only clown in the tank but she's maybe (she's?) just doing it instinctively. Still no spots, scratches or discoloration today.

 

[code4]

I am glad to hear you are keeping an eye on the clown. My female does something like that, but she lays her eggs up on the live rock. And I do have a male with her. They have been with me for 5 plus years. And I have never noticed her scratching her head into the rocks. Which yours appeared to be doing. May I suggest possible picking up some meds for emergencies? And look up clown fish spawning to have something to compare with? Hopefully the clown is eating normally.

Good luck,
Shelley

 

[averytanky]

I am glad to hear you are keeping an eye on the clown. My female does something like that, but she lays her eggs up on the live rock. And I do have a male with her. They have been with me for 5 plus years. And I have never noticed her scratching her head into the rocks. Which yours appeared to be doing. May I suggest possible picking up some meds for emergencies? And look up clown fish spawning to have something to compare with? Hopefully the clown is eating normally.

Good luck,
Shelley

Thank you, she/he seems fine today, she just stays in the area of that one rock and that's it. No scratching today. And she eats fine. What medication should I get?

 

[code4]

Reef medication recommendation, a post by reeftilldie asks just that question. Humble fish put some links up that would be helpful in that regard. My kindle will not allow me to post them for you. But you should be able to find it with the above information. Good luck and happy reefing!

Shelley

 

[GHsaltie]

In the first video your clown appears to be aiming for its gills when scratching, it could be weird clown behavior but that's also a symptom of gill flukes. To be on the safe side I would recommend you perform a freshwater dip, this will confirm/rule out flukes. I would also recommend you get a stock of some basic yet life saving meds because unfortunately with how bad wholesalers are nowadays you will need those meds eventually, hopefully not. Here's a link to show you how to do the freshwater dip with a video https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/
If flukes are confirmed I would recommend prazipro as it is safe to treat in the DT. It's 2 doses 5-7 days apart. Here's a thread on flukes https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/flukes-–-general-guidelines.224423/
And here's one with a list of meds, on post 2 is a recommendation for the best ones to keep on hand.
Also keep in mind that ich typically attacks the gills first so you may not see it right away, especially on a fish such as a clown that has a thick slime coat. Ich can also be brought in on a hard surface that it encysted upon, such as a coral or invert exoskeleton.

 

[WestOhooligan]

Prazipro is great for gill flukes. A little prazi dip could knock them out.

 

[Roy 9121]

Should I go out and buy any medicine before the pet stores close??

You need to figure out what it is first.