Sick clown

[RusticsReef]

I have a clown that’s been hosting in my zoas and getting stung to the point that he looks like he has a black mustache. Now he’s developed a major mouth issue and can’t close it and his gills are flared. What can I treat him with, if anything, if I can get him out?
thanks

 

[MnFish1]

How new or old is the clown - was it quarantined? Is there another clown? A couple thoughts

1. If there are 2 clowns - they often have mouth 'fights' like cichlids - which can cause lesions like this.
2. Some of the other symptoms you mention suggest flukes (the gills and open mouth)
3. Normally clowns will not repeatedly go into something thats significantly damaging it - so I wonder if the zoa issue is a coincidence.

 

[RusticsReef]

Long time mated pair. Super healthy. Only started getting the black dots and line around mouth after he started hosting in the zoas.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a clown that’s been hosting in my zoas and getting stung to the point that he looks like he has a black mustache. Now he’s developed a major mouth issue and can’t close it and his gills are flared. What can I treat him with, if anything, if I can get him out?
thanks

In blowing up the pic, the clown appears to have mouth rot. What compels a clown to keep going back to get stung will always remain a mystery. Fish needs to be isolated especially from that nem for a couple of weeks. Treatment will be warranted before it continues to decay. Best choice would be maracyn 2 for 5-7 days in quarantine with added air stone for added oxygen. Other treatment would be Seachem Neoplex which is a broad spectrum antibiotic.

Is fish eating ?
Is breathing normal or labored ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Long time mated pair. Super healthy. Only started getting the black dots and line around mouth after he started hosting in the zoas.

Is the clown still eating well?

Jay

 

[RusticsReef]

Kind of. He wants to eat but seems to be struggling.

 

[MnFish1]

Problem 1 - supposedly it's going into Zoas - not an anemone and I'm not sure stinging is in issue. Problem 2. The Gill flaring . I will leave it to others - but it sounds odd to me that its just a mouth infection

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Problem 1 - supposedly it's going into Zoas - not an anemone and I'm not sure stinging is in issue. Problem 2. The Gill flaring . I will leave it to others - but it sounds odd to me that its just a mouth infection

The clown in my home office tank has been hosting a Zooanthid mat for over a year with nary a sting to be seen....

Jay

 

[RusticsReef]

He stopped eating. Going to try to get him out today and start meds.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The clown in my home office tank has been hosting a Zooanthid mat for over a year with nary a sting to be seen....

Jay

Mine too occasionally dive into and hang out in zoas with no issues