40g clowns

[Nick96]

Hi guys!
About 8 weeks into my first build and things are looming good. So far I have two phantom clowns, 2 damsels, a udder chaos, hammerhead and 3 other small frags (plus some hermits and snails). Everythings great, the clowns are new, and they have separated recently and one of them hangs at the top of the tank and wanted to know if that's normal. Any thoughts is appreciated

 

[Sebastiancrab]

It might and might not be normal. For weeks I thought mine was normal clown behavior but upon closer inspection he had a bit of positive buoyancy. There is not a guaranteed cure but he has greatly improved with Seachem Kanaplex and is getting his second treatment of it now. Watch how he swims. If he floats to the top without trying, he may have the same problem. If you want a professional opinion, post a short video to the attention of Jay Hemdal (our resident doctor!).

 

[Nick96]

It might and might not be normal. For weeks I thought mine was normal clown behavior but upon closer inspection he had a bit of positive buoyancy. There is not a guaranteed cure but he has greatly improved with Seachem Kanaplex and is getting his second treatment of it now. Watch how he swims. If he floats to the top without trying, he may have the same problem. If you want a professional opinion, post a short video to the attention of Jay Hemdal (our resident doctor!).

Thanks will do! How do I post to him? Is it like a threat just for him or a direct message?

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Thanks will do! How do I post to him? Is it like a threat just for him or a direct message?

By typing this for you, it will alert him to this thread. Post your video too. Good luck!
@Jay Hemdal

 

[Nick96]

For @Jay Hemdal and thanks again @Elaine123

 

[Jay Hemdal]

For @Jay Hemdal and thanks again @Elaine123

Hi,
The clown is pretty tough to see (closer and under white lights would be better). I think it is swimming up because it is stressed about something…could be threatened by the other clown. Damsels can also be kind of rough, what species do you have? It also seems a bit thin, is it still eating?
Jay

 

[Nick96]

Hi,
The clown is pretty tough to see (closer and under white lights would be better). I think it is swimming up because it is stressed about something…could be threatened by the other clown. Damsels can also be kind of rough, what species do you have? It also seems a bit thin, is it still eating?
Jay

Hi Jay, they both have been eating I have a blue damsel and green chromis. Both haven't bothered him, the clowns were together and now they are separate. Right now he is lower in the tank.

 

[Nick96]

For @Jay Hemdal and thanks again @Elaine123

Heres a better video

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi Jay, they both have been eating I have a blue damsel and green chromis. Both haven't bothered him, the clowns were together and now they are separate. Right now he is lower in the tank.

One trick is to set your phone up to video the tank and then leave the room, sometimes you can catch aggressive action that way.
Jay

 

[Nick96]

Will try that, i watch them pretty much all day cause I work from home but I will try that and see. I feed them fish pellets once a day usually about 7ish pellets

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Will try that, i watch them pretty much all day cause I work from home but I will try that and see. I feed them fish pellets once a day usually about 7ish pellets

Make sure you feed them enough - I’d feed them twice a day, and put a few pellets in, when they eat those, but some more in and so on until they slow/stop.
Jay

 

[Nick96]

Make sure you feed them enough - I’d feed them twice a day, and put a few pellets in, when they eat those, but some more in and so on until they slow/stop.
Jay

Will do, my tank is newish so im just worried about overfeeding. Is it normal for them to separate like this? I just got them two days ago

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Will do, my tank is newish so im just worried about overfeeding. Is it normal for them to separate like this? I just got them two days ago

I know, overfeeding can be a problem in new tanks, but you can monitor ammonia. Just be sure they eat what you put in and that uneaten food doesn’t settle out in the tank.
Clown pairs do break down once in awhile, and serious fighting can ensue….
Jay

 

[Nick96]

I know, overfeeding can be a problem in new tanks, but you can monitor ammonia. Just be sure they eat what you put in and that uneaten food doesn’t settle out in the tank.
Clown pairs do break down once in awhile, and serious fighting can ensue….
Jay

So I should feed more regularly, what else should I do in your opinion?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

So I should feed more regularly, what else should I do in your opinion?

Sorry, I didn't mean to take you down a sidetrack, I just worried when you said you feed them " 7 pellets". That could be too little food. That won't solve the issue at hand, just help prevent future problems. It looked like the one clown was a bit thin....

I'm more concerned about the hovering being a sign that it is stressed. If you can take a closer video, under white light, that might tell me more.

Jay

 

[Nick96]

Sorry, I didn't mean to take you down a sidetrack, I just worried when you said you feed them " 7 pellets". That could be too little food. That won't solve the issue at hand, just help prevent future problems. It looked like the one clown was a bit thin....

I'm more concerned about the hovering being a sign that it is stressed. If you can take a closer video, under white light, that might tell me more.

Jay

Let me know if these help!

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Well, I’m still struggling to judge their respiration rate. If you can count their gill beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4, that number should be Jay

At this point, all I can suggest is to feed them more, and include chopped mysid shrimp in their diet. If you see any contact between the fish you should separate them.

 

[Nick96]

Well, I’m still struggling to judge their respiration rate. If you can count their gill beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4, that number should be Jay

At this point, all I can suggest is to feed them more, and include chopped mysid shrimp in their diet. If you see any contact between the fish you should separate them.

Will do, I am using a medium sized pellet. Should i change that? And i think around 30?? Its hard for me to tell

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Will do, I am using a medium sized pellet. Should i change that? And i think around 30?? Its hard for me to tell

I can't say what pellet size to use - as long as they can swallow them, it is the correct size. mouthing and spitting them out is a big issue.

Jay

 

[Nick96]

I can't say what pellet size to use - as long as they can swallow them, it is the correct size. mouthing and spitting them out is a big issue.

Jay

Thanks so much for the info Jay ill be honest i dont think they're eating i ordered new pellets already