New ClownFish Issues

NoMu Fish · Apr 13, 2021

Hello,
I have recently got two clownfish from my LFS and introduced them to my 15 gallon reef tank. Previously to their arrival, the tank was only occupied by corals, the water parameters were steady, and no issues were known. I noticed right away the fish has a hazy/cloudy eye and a hazy patch between the two eyes. The other clown has a very small discoloration in the white portion of her pattern but doesn’t seem concerning. Both of these things seemed to be present in the first day, so I am assuming It wasn’t an issue with my tank. I have had them in the tank for about 5 days now. The one with the hazy eye has been eating and swimming but likes to spend a lot of time on the sand in the front corner of my tank while the other one (its bonded pair) likes to swim in the opposite back corner or in my cave. At first it sounded like Brook, but It seems like he wouldn’t still be alive if it was. I’m new to clownfish and would appreciate some opinions. Thank you!

vetteguy53081 · Apr 13, 2021

Sounds to me like the start with a typical clown disease called brooklynella. This is 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 symptom 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. Skin lesions appear and it is not uncommon for signs of secondary bacterial infections to arise.
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.
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. Once the initial dip or bath is done

NoMu Fish · Apr 13, 2021

vetteguy53081 said:
Sounds to me like the start with a typical clown disease called brooklynella. This is 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 symptom 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. Skin lesions appear and it is not uncommon for signs of secondary bacterial infections to arise.
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.
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. Once the initial dip or bath is done

Thank you so much. I’m going to get the required things now and I’ll let you know how it goes!
This is what it looks like: