Need help with constipated clownfish (with pictures)

Ross · Jul 21, 2013

I need some help with my little guy. He and the female have been in the tank with a royal gramma for over 2 years together now. (14g). I have not added anything new to the tank or made any changes. The other fish are doing great.

2 days ago I noticed he was hiding in his anemone and wasn't coming out much. He has not eaten much if any in the last 2 days. He appears to be more fat than normal and I am almost positive he is constipated. I tried feeding some peas mashed up into little pieces, but he would not take them.

What is the next step from here? I don't currently have a QT tank set up as I haven't gotten new fish in over 2 years. I know epsom salt can help. I could bag him with tank water dosed with epsom salt and float him for a couple hours, but I'm not sure if that is long enough to help.

The only other thing I can think to do is try to massage it out of him. I really don't want to lose this guy.

His breathing is a little bit fast but he is still swimming around. All water parameters are in check. His color is good and he does not have any protruded scales that would be consistent with dropsy. Someone please help me! I would love to hear from anyone who has done an epsom salt bath!

jaypainter24 · Jul 21, 2013

I know with freshwater you feed the fish peas. Might want to try that.

Ross · Jul 21, 2013

Thanks for the advice Jay, I tried that once and he didn't go for it. He sucked in a couple pieces but spit them out. I will try again in a couple days.

Eienna · Jul 21, 2013

If the situation persists, you can use a bath in Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate, I believe) as a relatively safe laxative.

Ross · Jul 21, 2013

Einna, I am interested in doing a bath if it hasn't gone away in a couple days. Have you ever done one? How long does the dip need to be ?

mallorieGgator · Jul 21, 2013

Are you sure this clown is male? Looks gravid with eggs to me. However, my other guess would be intestinal parasites causing a blockage. Try using a wormer food of some sort or treating him with a product for intestinal parasites. I'm not sure what products to suggest so hopefully someone can chime in with a suggestion.

Ross · Jul 21, 2013

Mallorie, he is definetly the male. Him and has gf have been a pair for over 2 years. He did recently start picking at the live rock which I had never see him do. What makes you say it is a parasite? The symptoms don't appear to be a parasite to me. (No loss of coloration, still swimming around, no mucus or abnormal bumps. Just fat. Not to mention no fish have been added in over 2 years so there hasn't been anything to introduce a parasite unless one could have come in on frozen rods food (doubtful).

Salty heart · Jul 21, 2013

I have a yellow tang that had the same problem-- I just left him alone and let him work it out--it took a few days but he recovered and hasnt seem to have a problem since--but I always make sure I give him and all fish some seaweed laced with garlic 2 or 3 times a week--my clowns and chromis and pj cardinals all love it as well!! oh and i only feed once a day __in the beginning i was overfeeding and I think maybe that led to his problem.

NanaReefer · Jul 22, 2013

If he's eating anything at all try soaking the food in PraziPro.

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Eienna · Jul 22, 2013

Ross said:
Einna, I am interested in doing a bath if it hasn't gone away in a couple days. Have you ever done one? How long does the dip need to be ?

I don't remember but I'll try to hunt it up for you tomorrow. I have done it, albeit only with FW and brackish fish. When I treated for camallanus worms, some of the fish became so blocked up they couldn't go and wouldn't eat either. This is not uncommon when treating for these worms, as the parasite load is usually horrible by the time you can see the worms. It often kills the fish involved in the case of c worms. I used the baths a couple of times and they finally went potty in the bath. I kept it up a couple of times a day so they could clear the rest of the worms and by the fourth day or so they were starting to eat again.