Clown Fish heavy breathing

[Theaviator]

Hello everyone. I have a 40 gallon tank with two clown fish in it. The tank has been setup for 5 years. I recently noticed cloudy water and did a water change and added activated carbon to help clear the water. I did notice before that, one of my clownfish started breathing rapidly. I’m sure it was due to my fish water. I put him in a QT tank for observation but he doesn’t seem to be improving. He hasn’t eaten in three days and just sits in the corner of the tank. It appears his gills may be slightly swollen. Is there anything I should treat the QT water with to help him improve? My local fish store had API Erythromycin and suggested it as a broad band antibiotic. I feel horrible I let the tank get the way it is and I’m trying to make sure I can get him healthy again. Can you all suggest something else I can do?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello everyone. I have a 40 gallon tank with two clown fish in it. The tank has been setup for 5 years. I recently noticed cloudy water and did a water change and added activated carbon to help clear the water. I did notice before that, one of my clownfish started breathing rapidly. I’m sure it was due to my fish water. I put him in a QT tank for observation but he doesn’t seem to be improving. He hasn’t eaten in three days and just sits in the corner of the tank. It appears his gills may be slightly swollen. Is there anything I should treat the QT water with to help him improve? My local fish store had API Erythromycin and suggested it as a broad band antibiotic. I feel horrible I let the tank get the way it is and I’m trying to make sure I can get him healthy again. Can you all suggest something else I can do?

Flared gills suggested either brook or flukes which cause red and swollen gills but first, can you provide pics or videos under bright white lighting, no blue?
Ruby rally pro treats many clownfish issues within tank

 

[Theaviator]

Absolutely. As soon as I get home today I will get a picture. I was thinking flukes but he’s not showing any other symptoms. But it still could be.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Absolutely. As soon as I get home today I will get a picture. I was thinking flukes but he’s not showing any other symptoms. But it still could be.

With flukes- Hazy eyes, loss of color, loss of appetite, elevated breathing, itching/scratching. yawning and sudden darting across tank

 

[Theaviator]

Thank you for all the help with this! I’ve attached what I could for identification.

 

[W31Olds]

I think more information is needed about you 40 Gallon Tank and parameters. What event caused the bloom? Did something die? For now, I'd run strong aeration in your QT Tank. I would suspect a low O2 problem or Ammonia in your DT.

 

[Theaviator]

I think I skipped my regular water change when I went out of town. I went a month in a half without a water change. But nothing died in my tank that I know about. I did add some vibrant to the water when I saw the cloudiness a few days ago. But that’s the only thing I’ve added. And I’ve since done a 50% water change and will probably do another this weekend.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you for all the help with this! I’ve attached what I could for identification.

Images a little fuzzy. Is tank currently medicated with anything?
Vibrant is a silent killer and may be contributing to this and I advise not to use it going forward. After intended water change, add air stone.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/warning-use-vibrant-at-your-own-risk.894995/page-93#post-13857798

 

[Theaviator]

DT is not medicated with anything else. QT tank is medicated with a low dose Erythromycin. Were you able to see the videos? The second video I was able to get a pretty clear shot of him. Sorry my wife had an android

 

[W31Olds]

Going a month and a half without a WC is not the problem. Who was taking care of your Tank while you were out of town? I would start there. Maybe large overfeeding or a dosing issue.

 

[Theaviator]

Definitely could have been over feeding as well. I had a relative feeding the tank and gave her instructions. But that could be possible for sure. Nothing was added to the tank that she says. The other clown in the tank does not seem to be having issues yet. I will do another massive water change this weekend. Anything I can do for the one that is struggling?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Definitely could have been over feeding as well. I had a relative feeding the tank and gave her instructions. But that could be possible for sure. Nothing was added to the tank that she says. The other clown in the tank does not seem to be having issues yet. I will do another massive water change this weekend. Anything I can do for the one that is struggling?

Again , water change will alleviate a lot and erythromycin is not the answer as it will address bacterial issue but have some impact on biological bacteria

 

[Theaviator]

Again , water change will alleviate a lot and erythromycin is not the answer as it will address bacterial issue but have some impact on biological bacteria

Thanks. I will stop treating. I will leave him in the QT for now. Hopefully he gets better in there and I’ll continue the water changes and aeration to the main tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks. I will stop treating. I will leave him in the QT for now. Hopefully he gets better in there and I’ll continue the water changes and aeration to the main tank.

Consider having on hand : Ruby Rally Pro which addresses many health issues with clowns especially wild caught versions

 

[Theaviator]

Consider having on hand : Ruby Rally Pro which addresses many health issues with clowns especially wild caught versions

I actually just got some on Amazon. Should be here on Sunday. Does this go into the main tank?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I actually just got some on Amazon. Should be here on Sunday. Does this go into the main tank?

Yes and safe for coral and inverts. Water will have a temporary green tint

 

[MnFish1]

Definitely could have been over feeding as well. I had a relative feeding the tank and gave her instructions. But that could be possible for sure. Nothing was added to the tank that she says. The other clown in the tank does not seem to be having issues yet. I will do another massive water change this weekend. Anything I can do for the one that is struggling?

I agree that this was a care issue with the person taking care of your tank - likely overfeeding. The cloudiness was likely an algae bloom or a bacterial bloom. Both of which can deplete oxygen depending on the light cycle. The reddish gills can relate to ammonia - which I would assume was elevated during the bloom. I personally would not use any medications - just the water changes - and see what happens. Do you have a current measurement of your parameters?

 

[Theaviator]

Because the tank has been established. I don’t have an ammonia test kit. However, my phosphate levels were through the roof. I’m working on fixing it. In the meantime, the fish is in a QT tank. Still breathing heavy and not eating. I hope he pulls through!

Update: ammonia is zero currently. Got a new test kit.

 

[Theaviator]

Anything I can do to entice him to eat? Going on 5 days without food.