Clownfish Looks Sick

gdunks

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 15, 2026
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Location
new york
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I cycled my tank for a month and once ammonia and nitrites hit 0 within 24 hours I tested other parameters and everything looked fine.

So I went and got 2 clownfish and a Damsel and few days ago, and one of the clownfish is now looking bad with white around his mouth and body, frayed fins, and being aggressive.


Video Here
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
108,086
Reaction score
242,646
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
I cycled my tank for a month and once ammonia and nitrites hit 0 within 24 hours I tested other parameters and everything looked fine.

So I went and got 2 clownfish and a Damsel and few days ago, and one of the clownfish is now looking bad with white around his mouth and body, frayed fins, and being aggressive.


Video Here
I see suspicion of aggression but also early signs of brooklynella. The most significant sign is the amount of slime on its body which is noticeable on the fish. This mucus generally starts at the facial area as well as gills and spreads across the body producing lesions as it progresses often confused with ich and can turn into secondary bacteria. Other symptoms will be lethargic behavior, refusing to eat and heavy breathing from the mucus.
Start with a prolonged 60 minute bath of ruby rally pro then at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank. The longer the fish are exposed to the treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this issue.
Since a formalin solution is often not available for use, temporary relief can be achieved by giving the fish a FW bath or dip in water same temperature as display tank. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.
Treatment is best using Ruby Rally Pro. Ruby takes a little longer and initial treatment generally takes 2-3 days to really start going to work.
 

Jay Hemdal

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
37,571
Reaction score
37,369
Location
Dundee, MI
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I cycled my tank for a month and once ammonia and nitrites hit 0 within 24 hours I tested other parameters and everything looked fine.

So I went and got 2 clownfish and a Damsel and few days ago, and one of the clownfish is now looking bad with white around his mouth and body, frayed fins, and being aggressive.


Video Here

I agree - looks like aggression damage and possible Brooklynella. It is probably fighting with the other clown, but what species of damselfish is it in with?
 
OP
OP
G

gdunks

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 15, 2026
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Location
new york
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I see suspicion of aggression but also early signs of brooklynella. The most significant sign is the amount of slime on its body which is noticeable on the fish. This mucus generally starts at the facial area as well as gills and spreads across the body producing lesions as it progresses often confused with ich and can turn into secondary bacteria. Other symptoms will be lethargic behavior, refusing to eat and heavy breathing from the mucus.
Start with a prolonged 60 minute bath of ruby rally pro then at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank. The longer the fish are exposed to the treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this issue.
Since a formalin solution is often not available for use, temporary relief can be achieved by giving the fish a FW bath or dip in water same temperature as display tank. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.
Treatment is best using Ruby Rally Pro. Ruby takes a little longer and initial treatment generally takes 2-3 days to really start going to work.
Thank you! I have separated into a different tank and ordered ruby red
 
OP
OP
G

gdunks

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 15, 2026
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Location
new york
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I agree - looks like aggression damage and possible Brooklynella. It is probably fighting with the other clown, but what species of damselfish is it in with?
It’s a blue devil damsel. The odd part is that the sick looking one was the only one I saw being aggressive and he is the largest. I separated into a QT tank and ordered treatment. Thank you for the help!
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 34 28.3%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 41 34.2%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 27 22.5%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 10 8.3%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 8 6.7%
Back
Top