Possible clownfish problem..

SteveDavies · Dec 11, 2019

Hi all came home today to find my black and white clown with some kind of infection or disease, she was normal yesterday, anybody have any ideas? The first picture is from last week the second is from today...

Thank you

Big G · Dec 11, 2019

A clearer picture would help. But it looks like "early" presentation of Brooklynella (aka clownfish disease). If so, you need to treat asap as this can kill quickly. All the other fish have been exposed to the parasite as well. The tank will need to go fallow for 6 weeks. Sorry.

Brooklynella

Brooklynella hostilis What You Need To Know: * This is most often seen in clownfish, but it can afflict any fish. The fish’s skin will appear to be peeling or sloughing off, oftentimes causing excessive white mucous to form around the affected area(s). * Treatment of choice is a 45 minute...

www.reef2reef.com

SteveDavies · Dec 11, 2019

I’ll try to get a clearer picture tonight, the other clown looks well, both feeding good, can’t believe it as both fish have been happy for 2 months with no additions i’ll be gutted if i they die on me, i did add a new skimmer 3 days ago but can’t see that being the cause

Big G · Dec 11, 2019

Sometimes clowns can be "carriers" of Brook without displaying symptoms. And then due to some unknown stressor: injury, fighting, stress, other illness, etc., the disease becomes suddenly visible.

SteveDavies · Dec 11, 2019

How quickly is the other clown likely to catch it if it’s brook?

Big G · Dec 11, 2019

If it is Brook, the parasites are likely already attacking the fish. The white spots/areas are the resulting mucous left at the insertion points usually after the parasite has dropped off the fish's body. So by the time you see white spots it's after the attack/feeding by the parasites.

SteveDavies · Dec 13, 2019

Big G said:
If it is Brook, the parasites are likely already attacking the fish. The white spots/areas are the resulting mucous left at the insertion points usually after the parasite has dropped off the fish's body. So by the time you see white spots it's after the attack/feeding by the parasites.

Just a quick update i placed both clowns into QT and treated with a product called oodinex (was the quickest thing i could buy) the black and white is seemingly on the up white “marks” have slightly faded and her fins are no longer clamped , the orange clown is still his usual self....

ive removed the new protein skimmer i put in on monday and have found what looks like rust leaching from one of the threads, could this have been the cause of whats happened to the black and white clown? If it is then one rather large complaint will be going to the manufacturer, hard to say 100% whats caused it but its been the only change in the tank for 2 months

would appreciate anymore input as its been a worrying few nights... thanks

NeonRabbit221B · Dec 13, 2019

Just my opinion but if the rust were a significant factor for your clownfish illness then your inverts would have already been hurting... Good catch but not sure they are related.

SteveDavies · Dec 13, 2019

NeonRabbit221B said:
Just my opinion but if the rust were a significant factor for your clownfish illness then your inverts would have already been hurting... Good catch but not sure they are related.

very good point sir never thought about that, hermits have been normal so can’t be the cause, not out of the woods yet so can’t get my hopes up but have defiantly seen an improvement in the female so fingers crossed

scottedontknow · Dec 13, 2019

its a NEW skimmer, if so what kind?!? and it already has rust? the only thing i can think of is yes the b/w clown was a carrier of Brook and the rust that leached in the tank and stressed out the clown and boom Brooke took over.

NeonRabbit221B · Dec 13, 2019

Cuprisorb might be a good idea and can indicate the amount of metals leeched in the water as well... WC as well!

SteveDavies · Dec 13, 2019

scottedontknow said:
its a NEW skimmer, if so what kind?!? and it already has rust? the only thing i can think of is yes the b/w clown was a carrier of Brook and the rust that leached in the tank and stressed out the clown and boom Brooke took over.

Cheap and not so cheerful off ebay, skims really well and the pump is silent but yea appears to be rust on a thread underneath the skimmer

SteveDavies · Dec 13, 2019

NeonRabbit221B said:
Cuprisorb might be a good idea and can indicate the amount of metals leeched in the water as well... WC as well!

done a 40% change only got the hermits in display tank now, one did shed yesterday but don’t think that should be a concern?

SteveDavies · Dec 15, 2019

Another quick update the female appears to have made a full recovery, no visible white marks or anything concerning, all fins are no longer clamped and shes swimming proud, also regained a full appetite so far very happy with the outcome considering she looked an hour away from death wednesday night.... which leads me to believe it’s not brook as the reading ive done on the disease i get a general idea that its extremely harsh and kills 95% of clowns that are unfortunate to catch it, or maybe ive got lucky plus the meds that i used for the emergency qt didn’t contain enough formalin to eradicate it