Really worried about my little clown

[killer2001]

how would i increase the oxygen level? and i'll test for amonia as soon as I'm able to in the morning. hope he makes it.

Agitate the surface of the water with a return pump / wavemaker, add an airstone, or run a skimmer. How old is the tank?

 

[hardcoralsash]

How old is the tank, size, all "parameters in check" doesn't mean much. How long have you had the clownfish? Is it a new addition that just went through acclimation?

It's a beautiful black ice or bullet clown and people here are a huge help, I think they just need more info.

he's a black snow and i love him

 

[hardcoralsash]

Agitate the surface of the water with a return pump / wavemaker, add an airstone, or run a skimmer. How old is the tank?

tank is almost 3 weeks old. used live carib sea sand and rock, and fritz turbo start. Should I add some more turbo start?

 

[killer2001]

tank is almost 3 weeks old. used live carib sea sand and rock, and fritz turbo start. Should I add some more turbo start?

No. Turbo Start will deplete the oxygen level even further. I don't believe carib sea is true live rock/sand. Get some flow in the tank, point the return towards the surface. You can even scoop a cup of water and continuously pour it back into the tank to get some oxygen exchange going.

 

[hardcoralsash]

No. Turbo Start will deplete the oxygen level even further. I don't believe carib sea is true live rock/sand. Get some flow in the tank, point the return towards the surface. You can even scoop a cup of water and continuously pour it back into the tank to get some oxygen exchange going.

ok gonna try now

 

[killer2001]

How did you cycle the tank? What was your ammonia source?

 

[Kasrift]

tank is almost 3 weeks old. used live carib sea sand and rock, and fritz turbo start. Should I add some more turbo start?

Wouldn't hurt. You can't overdose live bacteria. I cycled almost a month, and just out of paranoia I added a small bottle of Dr. Tim's the day before I added any fish. I have a black snowflake too that turned fully black over the year. Started out with more orange and then only had an orange face, and now fully black and and white with iridescent blue spots and edging to the white stripes.

 

[MnFish1]

THANKS at thes poiint. I cut offer anything different. Best wishes

 

[hardcoralsash]

How did you cycle the tank? What was your ammonia source?

it cycled with some seaweed pellets, thats what my lfs said to do.

 

[hardcoralsash]

How did you cycle the tank? What was your ammonia source?

wow he already looks so much better, back swimming with his buddy. still gonna keep a close eye on him, will update you all as the night goes on. going to add another powerhead tomorrow

 

[hardcoralsash]

No. Turbo Start will deplete the oxygen level even further. I don't believe carib sea is true live rock/sand. Get some flow in the tank, point the return towards the surface. You can even scoop a cup of water and continuously pour it back

ugh never mind, he's back in the same spot. too good to be true.

 

[hardcoralsash]

No. Turbo Start will deplete the oxygen level even further. I don't believe carib sea is true live rock/sand. Get some flow in the tank, point the return towards the surface. You can even scoop a cup of water and continuously pour it back into the tank to get some oxygen exchange going.

if it was a lack of oxygen, how long should it take for the lil fella to bounce back?

 

[killer2001]

Here's a short clip of my tank's surface agitation. As you can see, it causes tiny air bubbles to form and disperse all over the water column. Then the powerheads cycle water throughout the tank.

 

[hardcoralsash]

Here's a short clip of my tank's surface agitation. As you can see, it causes tiny air bubbles to form and disperse all over the water column. Then the powerheads cycle water throughout the tank.

got the flow situated so that there are lots of air bubbles flowing. will let you know how things are in the morning, thank you so so much, from both me and my clown (his name is Pogo)

 

[airvicconcre]

heres the vid

@vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal

 

[vetteguy53081]

all levels are in check, all the other livestock is doing fine

When you say all levels are good, can you be more specific? What are numbers for ammonia-nitrate-ph-salinity ?
What is age of tank?
Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet ?
How long have you had fish?

heavy breathing can be flukes, ammonia spike, mucus build up. Not unusual for clown to hang at corner but the breathing suggests more to the point that it wont eat. Normally I would suggest doing a 5 min FW dip to offer temporary relief should it be flukes or mucus but with the current breathing rate will further stress the fish and not end well.
A 60 minute ruby rally pro bath may help in a bucket with air stone or formalin based bath with product such as quick cure

 

[hardcoralsash]

When you say all levels are good, can you be more specific? What are numbers for ammonia-nitrate-ph-salinity ?
What is age of tank?
Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet ?
How long have you had fish?

heavy breathing can be flukes, ammonia spike, mucus build up. Not unusual for clown to hang at corner but the breathing suggests more to the point that it wont eat. Normally I would suggest doing a 5 min FW dip to offer temporary relief should it be flukes or mucus but with the current breathing rate will further stress the fish and not end well.
A 60 minute ruby rally pro bath may help in a bucket with air stone or formalin based bath with product such as quick cure

nitrates 5ppm
salinity 35ppm - will test pH and Ammonia in the morning
RODI water
tank is 3 weeks old
fish have been with me since sunday

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

nitrates 5ppm
salinity 35ppm - will test pH and Ammonia in the morning
RODI water
tank is 3 weeks old
fish have been with me since sunday

Hi, I was offline overnight -

Yes, an ammonia test (not with an API kit) is pretty important at this point...you need to figure out if the rapid breathing is caused by disease or water quality issues. The tank's aeration looks good, and since this issue developed over time, it is either a disease, or a build up of ammonia.

I see 2 clown, a royal gramma and a black molly? Any other fish? Have you had issues with any of the invertebrates? Is the other clown breathing/acting off?

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

nitrates 5ppm
salinity 35ppm - will test pH and Ammonia in the morning
RODI water
tank is 3 weeks old
fish have been with me since sunday

I suspected newer tank. What test kits are you using and how long did you cycle tank and how did you cycle tank ?
Clown- How was it acclimated and for how long?

With a three week tank, you are subject to ammonia and nitrate spikes which may have already occurred and with false test readings if so, you may not even realize as test reading suggests low or zero when it is not.

 

[hardcoralsash]

Hi, I was offline overnight -

Yes, an ammonia test (not with an API kit) is pretty important at this point...you need to figure out if the rapid breathing is caused by disease or water quality issues. The tank's aeration looks good, and since this issue developed over time, it is either a disease, or a build up of ammonia.

I see 2 clown, a royal gramma and a black molly? Any other fish? Have you had issues with any of the invertebrates? Is the other clown breathing/acting off?

Jay

that’s not my tank