Stressed clown fish? Help please

[DKclown]

Thanks for allowing me in the group. I’ve had a marine tank for about 15 years. For the better part of the last 10 I’ve only had two clown fish in it. They’ve been incredibly hardy given that I am a pretty poor aquarium owner at this point in my life.

Three nights ago my five-year-old came downstairs saying he heard a funny sound and smelled toast. I went into the den where the tank sits and realized the heater was short circuiting. It was popping and crackling and smelled like it was burning. I unplugged it immediately and removed it.

The next day I replaced the heater. I also added a new thermometer. The tank was running hot at that point… Perhaps because of the heater malfunction - a little over 80f.

I also did a partial water change and some other routine maintenance. However I don’t have a test kit and could only verify that the specific gravity is within normal range and the temp is now perfect.

Ever since this incident the clowns are behaving fairly normally but will not eat. No matter what food I put in a tank they swim close to it and then swim away. Any thoughts?

Thank you

 

[Jekyl]

Any other issues you can see with them? Marks on them or heavy breathing? May want to include some white light photos and a short video. Just to rule anything out.

 

[Danroo]

If the water was electrocuted they might be in shock. Grab garlic guard and stress guard. Does garlic gaurd in their food and stress gaurd in the tank. That’ll make them relax.

 

[DKclown]

Any other issues you can see with them? Marks on them or heavy breathing? May want to include some white light photos and a short video. Just to rule anything out.

If the water was electrocuted they might be in shock. Grab garlic guard and stress guard. Does garlic gaurd in their food and stress gaurd in the tank. That’ll make them relax.

Thank you. These are the only products my local store had. It looks like the stress coat is the better?

 

[Danroo]

Use the stress coat only the other one might imbalance your natural bacteria cycle might cause a bacteria bloom. The only product for beneficial bacteria I trust is dr Tim and fritz.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I hope they are getting back to normal. It is rough when equipment causes issues. If you can, try some reef nutrition mysis, brine, roe. Fish normally do not pass up on it.

 

[EricR]

Bummer,,, but glad no major electrical catastrophes,,, fire/etc.

I think the 80 degree max part is fine -- my tank hits that every so often in the summer and never seen any issues.

*Aside note:
I had a failing heater that I found my clown ramming his head against and convulsing for short intervals -- unplugged/pulled the heater (obviously) and he never had any long-term effects or appetite loss.

My fish like flake best, although I try to use variety of food types, and I've heard soaking in garlic promotes feeding but I'm just rambling stuff off that I think I've read.

Good luck...