Old Clownfish

Huskymaniac · Oct 25, 2018

So I have a clownfish that is atleast 12 years old. Last week it started breathing rapidly and its mouth looks like its always open. It also stopped eating. Its definitly not parasitic. I move the fish into a QT tank and am trying a kanaplex,metro, furan combo but still no improvement on day 3. Any other suggestions? If it was going to work how long would it take? What is odd is that even though the fish hasnt eaten it still has not lost any weight. Actually looks a bit more full which has me concerned that it may be swollen.

JumboShrimp · Oct 25, 2018

I’m watching to see whether some Clownfish experts believe the poor guy has just neared the end of his life

Huskymaniac · Oct 25, 2018

JumboShrimp said:
I’m watching to see whether some Clownfish experts believe the poor guy has just neared the end of his life

Unfortunately i think that may be the case.

4FordFamily · Oct 25, 2018

For what you describe, it's often swelling of the mouth. The only thing I know that may help:

Pure (non-scented, no additives) epsom salt would be my recommendation to aid the swelling. You can do two doses, a day or so apart. Dose 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water volume.

You can dose this concurrently with antibiotics.

JumboShrimp · Oct 25, 2018

@4FordFamily shows signs of ‘genius’ once again!

Huskymaniac · Oct 30, 2018

So the fish still is not eating and mouth is still open with rapid breathing. Today I noticed it has a dark black red spot on its top part of body that I think is internal bleeding or something. Any ideas. I have been treating with triple antiobiotics with no luck.

Huskymaniac · Oct 30, 2018

Moving this back up to the top....Help!!!!

Huskymaniac · Oct 30, 2018

@4FordFamily @HotRocks

4FordFamily · Oct 30, 2018

I’d keep the antibiotics going for 14 days. If that doesn’t clear it up I’m not sure what would have. NFG is a phenomenal product for stubborn infections but I wonder if that mark is a growth, abcess (uncommon in fish) or tumor. If the latter, there’s nothing you can do, really.

4FordFamily · Oct 30, 2018

Have you been dosing the epsom salt (pure, unscripted) for the swelling?

Huskymaniac · Oct 30, 2018

Yes, i dosed the epsom salt. Didnt really notice a difference.

HotRocks · Oct 30, 2018

JumboShrimp said:
@4FordFamily shows signs of ‘genius’ once again!

You don't know @4FordFamily very well do ya!?

Huskymaniac said:
@4FordFamily @HotRocks

@Huskymaniac sorry for your troubles.

I agree with the excellent advice of my friend that someone thinks is a Genius.
I beg to differ... But I will save that for another thread.

In regards to the ABX. NFG would be my go to. Just so you know the trifecta you are using also works wonders. However, fish are extremely slow to respond to the meds depending on the type of infection.

This being said I have had fish start to show improvent 5-6days into treatment. I have had it take 10-12 days with other fish before there was any noticable improvement.