Possible problems with clownfish?

[jamesb07]

Hey guys, I have attached a video of a strange behavior my clownfish has been doing the last week. He has done this for the last week or so, But it’s very random. Sometimes he’ll swim around the tank all day, sometimes he’ll swim around for an hour and go lay down like this, everyday it’s different. Today after the water change is when i noticed heavy breathing which is why im now concerned. (could be because i just changed the water and stressed, not sure?) . He doesn’t seem to swim strange, eats fine, and like I said most of the time he is out and active.
currently been in copper treatment for approx. 20 days maintained at 2.25 per Hannah copper test kit.
All other water levels are normal per salifert test kits.
thank you in advance!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not seeing any video
Some patterns with wierd swim or erratic behavior is often associated with brook as well as loss of appetite
Video will offer clues

 

[jamesb07]

Not seeing any video
Some patterns with wierd swim or erratic behavior is often associated with brook as well as loss of appetite
Video will offer clues

Let me know if it worked!

 

[jamesb07]

Here’s an additional video

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey guys, I have attached a video of a strange behavior my clownfish has been doing the last week. He has done this for the last week or so, But it’s very random. Sometimes he’ll swim around the tank all day, sometimes he’ll swim around for an hour and go lay down like this, everyday it’s different. Today after the water change is when i noticed heavy breathing which is why im now concerned. (could be because i just changed the water and stressed, not sure?) . He doesn’t seem to swim strange, eats fine, and like I said most of the time he is out and active.
currently been in copper treatment for approx. 20 days maintained at 2.25 per Hannah copper test kit.
All other water levels are normal per salifert test kits.
thank you in advance!

The clown is breathing a bit fast, but that could be from struggling to swim. Being in copper helps rule out the common disease causes for rapid breathing. Because the water tests and the other fish are fine, I think you can rule out water quality issues. One thing that happens with tank raised clownfish is that they develop problems with their swim bladders not being properly inflated. That causes them to sink if they are not actively swimming to stay up off the bottom. There is no treatment for that, it is a genetic or developmental defect.

 

[jamesb07]

The clown is breathing a bit fast, but that could be from struggling to swim. Being in copper helps rule out the common disease causes for rapid breathing. Because the water tests and the other fish are fine, I think you can rule out water quality issues. One thing that happens with tank raised clownfish is that they develop problems with their swim bladders not being properly inflated. That causes them to sink if they are not actively swimming to stay up off the bottom. There is no treatment for that, it is a genetic or developmental defect.

so atp just let him do its thing?

 

[vetteguy53081]

so atp just let him do its thing?

This may not be a medication issue and one to observe.

 

[jamesb07]

This may not be a medication issue and one to observe.

Okay, I’ll keep an eye on it and update in a few days

 

[jamesb07]

48 hour update for you guys- came out to eat yesterday and swam for about 15 minutes, laid on its side for the rest of the day.

Today came out to eat this morning, has not laid or sat at the bottom one time. Has been swimming all day.

So my question is do you guys think that there could be another issue going on?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

48 hour update for you guys- came out to eat yesterday and swam for about 15 minutes, laid on its side for the rest of the day.

Today came out to eat this morning, has not laid or sat at the bottom one time. Has been swimming all day.

So my question is do you guys think that there could be another issue going on?

I don’t see any major issues. The copper and has minor lymphocystis, that is a viral disease that will go away on its own.
The water is a bit foamy, be sure the ammonia level is kept below 0.25 ppm

 

[jamesb07]

I don’t see any major issues. The copper and has minor lymphocystis, that is a viral disease that will go away on its own.
The water is a bit foamy, be sure the ammonia level is kept below 0.25 ppm

gotcha could that be from my bubbler? I haven’t had ammonia show on my test kits at all. maybe faulty?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

gotcha could that be from my bubbler? I haven’t had ammonia show on my test kits at all. maybe faulty?

Yes - but keep the bubbler running, the bubbles aren’t the issue, but rather, the invisible fish waste that is making them stick around longer is the issue.

What brand ammonia test do you have?

 

[jamesb07]

Yes - but keep the bubbler running, the bubbles aren’t the issue, but rather, the invisible fish waste that is making them stick around longer is the issue.

What brand ammonia test do you have?

sorry sir I just saw this, I have Salifert and I have a ammonia badge in, both say 0