Clownfish Issues

[jmc64]

Hi All,

I’m hoping someone might be able to help, I recently added a second clownfish to my tank and 7 days later I believe the new clownfish is bullying the original. I’ve separated the new one (the bully) into a breeder net and plan to leave him there for 3 days. However the original one has stopped eating for the last few days and I’ve tried a wide variety of foods but nothing. He’s mouth is also rapidly moving.

Is this just stress from the bullying or something else?

All water tests seem fine

 

[tzabor10]

Sorry for your troubles. Clownfish can be very territorial and aggressive. It certainly can cause stress. Try using garlic to encourage feeding. My clownfish has been around for about 9 years. Despite biting me and killing his other clownfish he is mostly calm now.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi All,

I’m hoping someone might be able to help, I recently added a second clownfish to my tank and 7 days later I believe the new clownfish is bullying the original. I’ve separated the new one (the bully) into a breeder net and plan to leave him there for 3 days. However the original one has stopped eating for the last few days and I’ve tried a wide variety of foods but nothing. He’s mouth is also rapidly moving.

Is this just stress from the bullying or something else?

All water tests seem fine

There is some serious disease process going on here - rapid breathing and not eating will result in death in a short time. Also, in two of the videos, the fish shook its head multiple times. This all points to a gill disease.

Is the other clownfish completely unaffected so far?

The trouble is, these symptoms are very general and don't point to a specific disease. It could be Velvet (Amyloodinium), gill flukes (worms) or Brooklynella (a protozoan). To make it worse, all three of these require different treatments, and you may have trouble getting the proper medications in the UK.

 

[jmc64]

Yes the other fish seems fine,

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yes the other fish seems fine,

Of the possible diseases, gill flukes is the most likely. If you can source it, a medication with praziquantel will work. However, if it is one of the other issues, then you may likely lose the fish.

Here is an article on dosing prazi:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-praziquantel-pzq.1105700/