Struggling Clownfish

[Jay_B]

Please help! One of our Clowns is struggling. She lays down on her belly a lot and barely moves her fins, but when you go near the tank, she starts swimming around but seems to struggle a little. I cannot see any Ich, but I've read about swim bladder issues and/or infections and a dozen other possibilities...

 

[vetteguy53081]

Please help! One of our Clowns is struggling. She lays down on her belly a lot and barely moves her fins, but when you go near the tank, she starts swimming around but seems to struggle a little. I cannot see any Ich, but I've read about swim bladder issues and/or infections and a dozen other possibilities...

This is seen often with tank raised species and often genetic or a development issue with tank raised clowns. Their bladders dont inflate as they should causing this sink and fall effect and there is no treatment for it
You can try ruby rally pro but likely wont change anything and is safe to use with inverts

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Please help! One of our Clowns is struggling. She lays down on her belly a lot and barely moves her fins, but when you go near the tank, she starts swimming around but seems to struggle a little. I cannot see any Ich, but I've read about swim bladder issues and/or infections and a dozen other possibilities...

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Is the clownfish still eating? if so, I agree that this issue is a genetic or developmental issue often seen in tank raised clownfish. It stems from an under-inflated swim bladder. There is no treatment, but the fish can usually live a fairly normal existence...