NEW CLOWNFISH STRESS? OR DEATH?

[lholmes]

I was at my lfs, and saw a beautiful Clownfish with a Host long tentacle Anemone. I decided to buy it. I followed all the instructions I was given for acclimation. Floating the bag for 30 minutes, then drip acclimate for an hour. I did all that, and then it was time to add the fish. The anemone is doing great, but the clown is laying on its side breathing rapidly. Is this stress, or something different.
Any suggestions work!

 

[Nate Chalk]

Tank details?

Age
Parameters
Etc

 

[Azzeon]

Could definitely be an ammonia/nitrite issue but there's several other things that could cause this. Agree with Nate, check your water parameters.

 

[Nate Chalk]

Currently you could have just bought a tank and everything and dunked it all in.

 

[lholmes]

Tank details?

Age
Parameters
Etc

30 gallon
Ammonia 0
Nitrite >.5
Nitrate 10
pH 8.1

I have had this tank for about a year and a half. Before today, it was only a coral tank.

 

[Liza_casella]

I was at my lfs, and saw a beautiful Clownfish with a Host long tentacle Anemone. I decided to buy it. I followed all the instructions I was given for acclimation. Floating the bag for 30 minutes, then drip acclimate for an hour. I did all that, and then it was time to add the fish. The anemone is doing great, but the clown is laying on its side breathing rapidly. Is this stress, or something different.
Any suggestions work!

I would suggest checking your parameters as soon as possible!
from experience, that lethargic type of behavior is almost always due to parameters!
I hope it turns around for the little guy! :/

 

[Reefbuds]

Curious to see what caused this

 

[Liza_casella]

Curious to see what caused this

Me as well, I'm hoping the clown is in better shape??

 

[lholmes]

Me as well, I'm hoping the clown is in better shape??

Do you think it could be a large amount of stress on him?

 

[lholmes]

Update:
He seems to be a little better.
His breathing is getting more controlled
And he is swimming in little spirts around the tank. He then rests for a little bit, then starts to swim again.

 

[Reefbuds]

Great to hear! Clowns are typically very resilient