Languishing clown fish

[PatioDaddio78]

My smallest clown fish has been struggling for the last day. Resting on the bottom what should I do? When I tap on the glass, he swims up a little bit and then floats down to the bottom to rest. The other fish seem to be leaving him alone, but unsure what to do. Tips appreciated.

Mark

 

[Sharkbait19]

Would you be able to add a YouTube video of its behavior?
Any change in appearance? Has the other clown been bullying it at all? Is it eating?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My smallest clown fish has been struggling for the last day. Resting on the bottom what should I do? When I tap on the glass, he swims up a little bit and then floats down to the bottom to rest. The other fish seem to be leaving him alone, but unsure what to do. Tips appreciated.

Mark

Yes, a video would help, as would further background information. This post explains all that:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[PatioDaddio78]

Yes, a video would help, as would further background information. This post explains all that:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

https://youtube.com/shorts/kXbX4H3ogQ8

Sorry new here. Tried putting video into the post but didn't format. I'm not sure if it is eating. The other fish are checking him out but I think they are leaving it alone for now.

 

[MnFish1]

https://youtube.com/shorts/kXbX4H3ogQ8

Sorry new here. Tried putting video into the post but didn't format. I'm not sure if it is eating. The other fish are checking him out but I think they are leaving it alone for now.

Did you quarantine the fish? How old is the tank? What are your parameters like? To me it's hard to see the breathing rate, etc - but it looks like an infection of some kind. Of course clownfish are at higher risk of brooklynella. Can you get a close-up picture?

 

[PatioDaddio78]

Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type: Fish-only
Aquarium water volume - 150 gallons
Filtration type - 3 days of skimmer setup and filter floss
Lighting - unknown
How long has the aquarium been established? - 7 years but I've had a month.
Digital image of the whole aquarium under white light

Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using, as well as the test kit brand)
Temperature - 78 deg
pH: 7.9
Salinity / specific gravity - 1.025
Ammonia .6
Nitrite .1
Nitrate - 75 - working to get this down with water changes
Phosphorus .9
Copper - ??
Other

 

[MnFish1]

Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type: Fish-only
Aquarium water volume - 150 gallons
Filtration type - 3 days of skimmer setup and filter floss
Lighting - unknown
How long has the aquarium been established? - 7 years but I've had a month.
Digital image of the whole aquarium under white light

Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using, as well as the test kit brand)
Temperature - 78 deg
pH: 7.9
Salinity / specific gravity - 1.025
Ammonia .6
Nitrite .1
Nitrate - 75 - working to get this down with water changes
Phosphorus .9
Copper - ??
Other

Did you quarantine the fish or add anything new? The ammonia of 0.6 (which test are you using) is concerning, mostly because it should be 0 - and if it's rising for some reason your fish may start to show symptoms.

 

[PatioDaddio78]

Did you quarantine the fish or add anything new? The ammonia of 0.6 (which test are you using) is concerning, mostly because it should be 0 - and if it's rising for some reason your fish may start to show symptoms.

Fish have been in the tank for quite sometime.

 

[MnFish1]

Fish have been in the tank for quite sometime.

Then I might double-check your tests because the ammonia should not be 0.6. The high nitrate may be causing less resistance to other problems - agree with the water change plan.

 

[PatioDaddio78]

Clown Fish update. Seems like he is doing fine. He still lies on the bottom of the tank. I think that when I moved some of the aquascape he got bumped out of his comfy spot. Now he rests in one of the tunnels and comes out every once in a while. Funny fish.

 

[wculver]

Based on the fish you already have in there and the look of the tank I'd say your water is fine for fish. What's going on here is the poor clown is on his own and doesn't have a "home" either an anemone or another coral to host so he's finding a place where he thinks it is safe. Those powder blue tangs can also be a bully to others so watch out for that.

 

[MnFish1]

Clown Fish update. Seems like he is doing fine. He still lies on the bottom of the tank. I think that when I moved some of the aquascape he got bumped out of his comfy spot. Now he rests in one of the tunnels and comes out every once in a while. Funny fish.

Clowns are noted to do this. Can you re-check your ammonia?

 

[PatioDaddio78]

Ammonia is 0-.05ppm