New clown fish

[alexburkett]

Hello!
I am new to the saltwater community and after cycling my tank for about 2 months, testing salinity, and water testing I finally felt I was ready to purchase fish! I got 2 little clown fish and they seem to be doing good. It’s only my 2nd day having them and they haven’t eaten yet, but they do swim around and explore the aquarium. One thing that does concern me is they keep opening and closing their mouth (kinda like a goldfish). Is this normal? If not what should I do

 

[vetteguy53081]

It’s not normal and may be something affecting their gills. Can you post a couple of pics under white lights to further see what may be apparent?

 

[Azedenkae]

Hello!
I am new to the saltwater community and after cycling my tank for about 2 months, testing salinity, and water testing I finally felt I was ready to purchase fish! I got 2 little clown fish and they seem to be doing good. It’s only my 2nd day having them and they haven’t eaten yet, but they do swim around and explore the aquarium. One thing that does concern me is they keep opening and closing their mouth (kinda like a goldfish). Is this normal? If not what should I do

Haven't eaten is quite normal, they may not be used to the food you are feeding them yet.

When they open and close their mouth, you mean like actually open big as if yawning? And how rapid?

 

[alexburkett]

It’s not normal and may be something affecting their gills. Can you post a couple of pics under white lights to further see what may be apparent?

 

[alexburkett]

Haven't eaten is quite normal, they may not be used to the food you are feeding them yet.

When they open and close their mouth, you mean like actually open big as if yawning? And how rapid?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have the latest and greatest iPhone and of course it does not open videos
Any still pics?

 

[alexburkett]

I have the latest and greatest iPhone and of course it does not open videos
Any still pics?

 

[alexburkett]

I can try to get a more clear pic, they love swimming around

 

[vetteguy53081]

Without pics to confirm anything, I can say many fish yawn especially wrasses. Fish yawn just to stretch their mouths. You see this pretty frequently with predators. Their jaws are the most important part of their anatomy so they need to keep them in good condition.
If they’re yawning every few minutes or so, this may indicate a dissolved oxygen or temperature problem. Only other would be flukes. Easy way to test is to place them in a CLEAN container of freshwater with A pinch of baking soda for 4-5 minutes the same temperature as the display tank and then return them to the aquarium
Loom on bottom of container with flashlight and see if you notice what looks like sesame seeds or fish scales. If so - Flukes
If not, may be behavioral

 

[vetteguy53081]

Great pic
Hmmm... looks what looks like mucus around their gills and could be brooklynella and explain the behavior.

 

[alexburkett]

Great pic
Hmmm... looks what looks like mucus around their gills and could be brooklynella and explain the behavior.

How do I fix this

 

[Azedenkae]

Okay, so I managed to see the vid. To me it looks like the orange one has tiny dots starting to pop up on its side.

And yes, definitely very fast breathing. What's your ammonia reading like?

 

[vetteguy53081]

How do I fix this

Assuming it’s brook, tYpically a standard formalin solution is mixed with either fresh or saltwater in a separate treatment container. Initially, all fish are given a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration, followed by continued treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank (QT). Of course, the longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this disease. Quick cure is a source of formalin.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief may be provided by giving fish a FW dip or bath. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems
As far as any dots, brook is similar symptomatically to Ich, this is also a parasite that primarily attacks the gills first. At the onset, fish may scrape up against objects, rapid respiration develops, and fish often gasp for air at the surface as the gills become clogged with mucus. Very quickly the fish will become lethargic, refuse to eat, and its colors will fade. The most noticeable difference that sets Brooklynella apart from Oodinium/ich is the heavy amount of slime that is produced by a fish that has contracted this parasite. As the disease progresses, a thick whitish mucus covers the body. This will usually start at the head and spread outward across the entire body.

 

[alexburkett]

Okay, so I managed to see the vid. To me it looks like the orange one has tiny dots starting to pop up on its side.

And yes, definitely very fast breathing. What's your ammonia reading like?

High range PH is 7.8
Nitrate is 0ppm but could be 5, more yellow than gold
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25

 

[Azedenkae]

High range PH is 7.8
Nitrate is 0ppm but could be 5, more yellow than gold
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25

Doesn't seem like parameters then.

Very likely to be disease, yeah. I can't tell which one though, apologies.

 

[alexburkett]

Doesn't seem like parameters then.

Very likely to be disease, yeah. I can't tell which one though, apologies.

What do you suggest to fix this problem

 

[Azedenkae]

What do you suggest to fix this problem

I honestly don't know. My personal solution is not a typical and generally advisable solution.

 

[alexburkett]

Assuming it’s brook, tYpically a standard formalin solution is mixed with either fresh or saltwater in a separate treatment container. Initially, all fish are given a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration, followed by continued treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank (QT). Of course, the longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this disease. Quick cure is a source of formalin.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief may be provided by giving fish a FW dip or bath. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems
As far as any dots, brook is similar symptomatically to Ich, this is also a parasite that primarily attacks the gills first. At the onset, fish may scrape up against objects, rapid respiration develops, and fish often gasp for air at the surface as the gills become clogged with mucus. Very quickly the fish will become lethargic, refuse to eat, and its colors will fade. The most noticeable difference that sets Brooklynella apart from Oodinium/ich is the heavy amount of slime that is produced by a fish that has contracted this parasite. As the disease progresses, a thick whitish mucus covers the body. This will usually start at the head and spread outward across the entire body.

I haven’t noticed any slime..yet lol
Would it be smart to buy ich medication while I wait for Parsi pro to come in the mail?
Also I’m unfamiliar with formalin

 

[vetteguy53081]

A type of formalin would be quick cure. Copper won’t do much unless you truly have parasite issues which doesn’t appear as such

 

[alexburkett]

A type of formalin would be quick cure. Copper won’t do much unless you truly have parasite issues which doesn’t appear as such

I medicated them and now they’re hovering at the bottom. Is this normal? Sorry for all the questions, I’m new at this